The morning sun bathed the palace grounds in a warm, golden light as Masha, Sara, and Sam made their way toward the school gates. The air was crisp, and the excitement of a new day filled the atmosphere. Masha, a second-year student known for her cheerful demeanor, broke the comfortable silence as they walked.
"Isn't today just a great day?" Masha said, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. Her smile was infectious, and even Sara, who often kept her emotions in check, couldn't help but agree.
"Yes, it really is," Sara replied, her tone softer but with a hint of warmth that was usually reserved for her closest friends. She glanced at Sam, who was walking alongside them, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.
Sam nodded in agreement but couldn't resist adding his own sarcastic twist. "Sure, but remind me again why we had to come together? It's not like I enjoy being the center of attention or anything." He rolled his eyes playfully, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward in a faint smile.
Sara chuckled at his remark. "Come on, Sam. You know you love the attention."
Masha grinned, nudging Sam with her elbow. "Besides, it's not every day the last-ranked student gets to walk with two princesses. Consider it your lucky day."
Sam sighed dramatically but didn't argue. The truth was, he didn't mind walking with them, even if it meant drawing the gaze of every single person they passed. The three of them had grown closer over the past few weeks, and though Sam still wasn't entirely comfortable with the attention, he valued their friendship.
As they approached the school gates, Sam noticed the stares and whispers that followed them. It was as if the entire student body had collectively decided to stop whatever they were doing just to watch the unusual trio make their entrance. The attention was almost suffocating, but Sam kept his expression neutral, determined not to let it bother him.
Masha waved goodbye as she headed toward the second-year building, leaving Sam and Sara to continue to the first-year classrooms. "Good luck today, Sam," she called out with a wink. "Try not to cause too much trouble!"
Sam smirked and waved back. "No promises!"
Sara and Sam entered the first-year building together, and as soon as they reached their classroom, the questions started. Students crowded around Sam, bombarding him with inquiries about his relationship with Sara.
"What's going on between you and the princess, Sam?"
"Are you two a thing?"
"How did you end up walking to school with her?"
Sam, used to deflecting attention, simply ignored the questions and made his way to his seat. The students, seeing that they weren't going to get any answers, eventually backed off, though their curious glances didn't cease.
Sara took her seat beside him, her usual calm expression hiding any amusement she might have felt. The classroom gradually settled down as the teacher entered, signaling the start of the day's lessons. But it wasn't just any ordinary day—today was the day of the special exam, an event that had been eagerly anticipated by the entire student body.
The teacher, a stern-looking man with a sharp gaze, wasted no time getting to the point. "As you all know, today's exam will test your practical skills in a real-world scenario. Each of you will be assigned to guard a member of the nobility for the day. This is a highly important task, as you'll be responsible for their safety and well-being."
The students sat up straighter, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Guarding a noble was no small feat—it required skill, composure, and a keen sense of responsibility. But the teacher wasn't finished.
"Among the nobles you could be assigned to guard today are members of the royal family, including the queen and Prince Luke," the teacher continued, his voice taking on an even more serious tone. "Those of you assigned to guard them will have a unique opportunity to prove your worth. If you perform well, you might even be considered for a position among the royal knights."
A murmur of excitement rippled through the classroom. The chance to guard the royal family was a dream come true for many of the students, and the possibility of joining the prestigious ranks of the royal knights was an added incentive.
The teacher gestured toward the front of the classroom, where a list of names and their corresponding assignments appeared on a large board. "The assignments have been decided by the principal's office," he announced. "Please come forward when your name is called."
One by one, the students were called up to the front of the room to receive their assignments. Sam watched as each name was paired with a noble family, his mind only half-focused on the process. He wasn't particularly interested in guarding any nobles, and he certainly didn't expect to be assigned to anyone important. After all, he was the last-ranked student in the class—why would they trust him with anything significant?
"Sam," the teacher called out, drawing his attention back to the present. "You'll be guarding the royal family today."
For a moment, Sam thought he had misheard. He blinked in surprise, then glanced at the board to confirm what he'd just heard. Sure enough, his name was listed next to the royal family.
The classroom erupted in whispers and surprised exclamations. The last-ranked student, guarding the queen and Prince Luke? It was unheard of, and everyone seemed eager to understand how it had happened.
Sam turned to look at Sara, who was sitting beside him with a satisfied smile on her face. He raised an eyebrow, silently asking for an explanation. Sara just shrugged, her smile widening slightly, while Masha's earlier wink came to mind.
It didn't take long for Sam to put two and two together. "You two had something to do with this, didn't you?" he asked, his voice low enough that only Sara could hear.
Sara's smile was all the confirmation he needed. "Consider it a favor," she said, her tone teasing.
Sam sighed, though he couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and resignation. "Of course. I should have known."
The rest of the class continued to murmur among themselves, speculating on how the last-ranked student had ended up with such an important assignment. But Sam paid them no mind. He knew that he was in for a long day, and he had a feeling that it was going to be anything but ordinary.
As the students finished receiving their assignments, they were dismissed to begin their duties. Sam found himself standing outside the school building with Sara, both of them ready to meet the royal family.
"Well, this is it," Sara said, her voice filled with satisfaction. "You get to spend the day with my mother and little brother. Try not to mess it up, okay?"
Sam rolled his eyes, though there was no real annoyance in his expression. "I'll do my best. But seriously, why go through all this trouble?"
Sara shrugged lightly. "Because we believe in you, Sam. You might be the last-ranked student, but we know there's more to you than meets the eye."
Sam wasn't so sure about that, but he appreciated her confidence in him. "Alright, alright. I'll make sure I don't embarrass you."
With that, they parted ways, and Sam made his way to the designated meeting spot where the queen and Prince Luke were waiting. The area was cordoned off by royal guards, who stood at attention as Sam approached.
The queen, a regal woman with an air of authority, stood beside a young boy who could only be Luke. The boy's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he spotted Sam, while the queen's expression remained distant and unreadable.
"Your Majesty," Sam greeted, bowing respectfully.
The queen acknowledged him with a curt nod. "You're the one assigned to guard us today?" she asked, her tone formal.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Sam replied, keeping his voice steady. He could sense that the queen wasn't someone who tolerated nonsense, so he made sure to keep his demeanor respectful.
Luke, however, was far less reserved. He stepped forward, his youthful energy palpable. "Are you really the one who gets to guard us today?" he asked, his voice filled with excitement.
Sam smiled, nodding. "That's right."
Luke's eyes widened with enthusiasm. "Cool! Can you tell me a story while we walk? I love stories!"
The queen gave her son a brief, admonishing look, but there was no denying the boy's eagerness. Sam considered the request for a moment, then nodded. "Sure, I can do that."
As they began to walk through the streets, Sam started telling a story from his previous life, a tale that had been popular back then. It was the story of a brave knight who ventured into a forbidden forest to rescue a captured princess. The knight faced countless dangers, from treacherous terrain to fearsome beasts, but he never wavered in his quest to save the princess.
Luke listened with rapt attention, his imagination coming to life with every word Sam spoke. Even the queen, who had started the walk with a distant air, found herself drawn into the story. Sam's voice was captivating, and the way he wove the tale made it feel as though the events were unfolding right before their eyes.
When Sam finished the story, Luke was practically bouncing with excitement. "That was amazing! Do you know more stories like that?"
Sam chuckled, nodding. "Plenty more."
The queen, who had remained silent throughout the story, suddenly spoke, her tone softer than before. "That was a well-told tale, Sam. Where did you hear it?"
Sam paused, choosing his words carefully. "It's an old story from where I grew up, Your Majesty. I've always been fond of it."
The queen studied him for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. "You have a gift for storytelling. Not many can capture an audience's attention like that."
Sam bowed his head slightly in thanks. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."
As they continued walking, the queen's demeanor began to shift. She asked Sam about other stories, and before long, they found themselves engaged in a lively conversation. Luke chimed in with questions and comments, clearly delighted to have someone who could keep up with his boundless energy.
Eventually, they arrived at a quaint, upscale restaurant where they were to have lunch. The restaurant was reserved for nobility, and the staff greeted them with the utmost respect as they were seated at a private table.
As they settled in, the queen leaned back in her chair, her posture relaxed in a way that Sam hadn't seen before. "Tell me, Sam," she said, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity. "Do you enjoy telling stories?"
Sam nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I do. It's something I've always loved, ever since I was young."
Luke, ever the inquisitive one, piped up. "Can you tell us another one? Please?"
The queen's gaze softened as she looked at her son, and she nodded in approval. "Yes, Sam. Please do."
Sam thought for a moment, then began another story, this one about a clever thief who outwitted a corrupt king to steal back gold for the poor. The story was filled with humor and clever twists, and by the time Sam finished, even the queen was smiling.
"You have a talent, Sam," the queen said, her voice warm. "I haven't enjoyed a story like that in a long time."
Sam felt a sense of pride well up in him. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I'm glad I could entertain you."
They spent the rest of the meal in pleasant conversation, and by the time they finished, it was clear that Sam had made a lasting impression on the queen and Prince Luke. The cold distance that had been there at the beginning of the day had melted away, replaced by a genuine connection.
As they left the restaurant, Luke walked beside Sam, chattering excitedly about the stories and asking endless questions. The queen, now much more at ease, walked a few steps behind them, watching the interaction with a thoughtful expression.
They continued their walk through the city, visiting a few more places, and it wasn't long before they needed a break. The queen suggested they stop at a nearby garden to rest, and Sam agreed, though he excused himself to use the restroom before joining them.
Sam made his way to the restroom, feeling satisfied with how the day was going. But as soon as he stepped inside, his senses went on high alert. The air was thick with tension, and Sam immediately knew something was wrong.