My gown drags across my chamber floors as I'm escorted out of the bedroom and into the palace corridor. "Ella, must I be accompanied by such dull guards every single time I step foot out of the palace grounds?" I whine obnoxiously, to my surprise Ella scoffs " Oh don't give me that, you know the only reason you wandered outside to the palace gardens unwatched is that Alastair allowed it. Besides, I'm told the sly bastard is escorting you to the ceremony himself." A bright smile takes form on my features " Really?! Oh, I can't wait, he's such a delightful storyteller, I hope he reads me a good one on our way there." Ella huffs tiresomely, " Speak of the devil," she remarks under her breath. I turn my head, beginning to wave vigorously to personally my favorite guardsman, Alastair the Protector. The burly man of lengthy height approached me slowly " My lady " His husky voice echoed through the exorbitant vases as he bowed his head politely. "Hello, Alastair how do you do?" "Well enough, and you, my lady?" I beamed at the tall gray-haired man, though he was rather intimidating looking at first glance he was a very fine man of morality and honor, I admittedly couldn't enjoy his company more. " Another exceptional morning " He smiles knowingly, my answer was always the same every time I saw him. I wave to Ella telling her to rest her head or enjoy some tea by the fireplace. I walk with Alastair as he tells me for about the hundredth time about his encounter with a wild grizzly bear and how its teeth were sharp as kitchen knives and his eyes filled with malice. He told me this story every time I asked him to, although he seems to find it rather humorous how I never bore of the same old story. I remember when I was just a young girl, being chased by one of the countless nanny's father gave to me at my request, laughing and high-spirited as I've always been. But I had an accident, one that left me bedridden for a very long time. After being paralyzed for 2 years and waking up to a broken leg and spine Alastair was the one to aid me during rehabilitation. Although my life nearly ended, he helped me restore my quality of life entirely and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him. I smile noticing the large metal door in front of me. "Thank you, Alastair" He arched an eyebrow," Thank you? What do you want now?" I laugh lightly facing towards Alastair to look him in the eye, " Nothing. Just thank you, for everything" And with that final step, my life starts anew.