The following day, Sybella, Leah and Amara went about the schedule they had in mind before they arrived here and James was the one who drove them around. They were followed by a few royal guards but those men had made their presence minimal so it did not bother any of them.
Sybella and Leah did not know much about what had transpired last night but seeing that Amara did not seem very unusual, they could heave a sigh of relief.
Except, James was awfully silent the whole journey which was a common scenario but Amara had not spoken a single word to him.
They explored Sunridge, a charming town nearby. After a relaxing spa session, they went shopping, spent some time by the beach and had a meal.
''Woah... Is that the prime minister's mansion?" On their way back, Leah gasped.
Amara followed her gaze and nodded, ''You want to go inside?"
Leah's jaw dropped, ''I can even go inside? We...''
Amara blinked, ''Why not?"
Leah gave it a thought before she whispered, ''As the political situation stands in Monteluna, is it not true that the royal family and the government are at each other's throats? Would they still welcome us in?"
Amara chuckled, ''That is why it is a political conflict, not a physical one. They would not do anything openly. I can still get you both inside.''
''I just realized I have snagged myself a golden thigh ages ago,'' Leah sighed contentedly, ''Can the prime minister compare to our princess? Can he say such domineering words on my face?"
Sybella nodded with a straight face, ''Dull mansion.'' The prime minister's mansion was indeed lavish but it lacked history and the aura of the royal palace.
By the time they reached the palace, they were dead tired. Sybella and Leah retreated to their room.
''Princess...''
James stopped Amara before she could leave.
Amara turned to look at the man who was standing with his head lowered.
After giving it a thought, she nodded, ''Let's go to the garden.''
Amara took a seat and James continued standing, ''I talked to father,'' she sighed, ''Do you want to leave, James?"
''Princess, I...''
''Is it true or not?" Amara looked up at the man.
James paused and then lowered his head even further, ''Yes, princess.''
''I want to know the reason.''
''I... I... love her,'' James paused for a moment before speaking, ''I have loved her since we were young. But I was poor. I worked hard, job after job so that one day I can give her the life she deserves. I want to marry her. I can still work after that but princess, she has waited for me for over decades. I want to be by her side, and provide her assurance.''
After James' words dropped, the place fell silent.
James closed his eyes but in the next moment, he felt a comforting palm upon his shoulder. His eyes snapped open.
''All this fuss only for this?" Amara sighed, ''Why would you not tell me before?"
''I don't want you to be sad, princess. I... And I love this job. I wish to protect you forever. Those are the things I always thought of until recently when she asked me a question. She asked me if I would ever put her first, if I truly loved her. It made me realize how much I have failed as her man if I made her this sad.''
''You are good, James,'' Amara looked up at the man, ''Does this princess look sad to you? It always worried me that you would end up alone and stress yourself out with all that overthinking you do. But now that I see, it is good that someone can balance that by encouraging you to make a decision.''
James was stunned for a moment before his lips tilted in a soft smile.
''It must be heart-wrenching for you to leave this princess' side but it is a good thing that you are doing it for love.''
"You are right, princess.''
''Keep me updated about your wedding preparations when you get there. If I am not having my exams then I will certainly visit.''
''Yes, princess.''
...
Life is not as difficult once you learn the way to live.
Amara had given it a long and deep thought. A new bodyguard? Fine.
James would be staying over till the new person arrived and then the transition would take place. He would take over the position and they could develop a civil bond between them as time passed.
He would protect her when needed and stay in the shadows when she did not need his protection. If they got along well, they would be friends. If, by any chance, he was intimidated by her magnetic personality, then the civil bond would still stand.
What could possibly go wrong?
Nothing... right?
The days of fun finally came to an end. With the queen being sick, the Christmas in the royal palace wasn't very over the top and was kept limited to the family members.
Sybella and Leah met the king for the first time. While Leah was all panicky, Sybella balanced it out with her calmness. For the next few days, they went about exploring.
''I can't believe it is the last day already,'' They just came back from an ancestral temple as the car moved towards the royal palace.
''You can come again,'' Amara blinked.
''But do I have to sit with your family for meals?"
''Hmm? You didn't like the food?"
''The food was good but your father...''
''Was he bad?" Amara arched her brow.
''Very handsome.'' Leah stated, ''Elegant. Graceful. A Greek god.''
''Then, the problem is?"
''She is scared,'' Sybella stated with a straight face.
''It is not like I eat with royalty everyday already...''
Amara wiggled her brows.
''You are my best friend. You don't count.''
''This princess is royalty. I count.''
''She definitely does,'' Sybella nodded.
''Guys, stop teasing me...'' Leah rubbed her arm, ''While eating in the presence of your father, I had to be careful to not choke on fishbones. If I spat it out, would I be beheaded? The more graceful and kind he was, the more I was afraid my disgraceful actions would bring out something unkind to me...''
Amara shook her head and averted her gaze but suddenly at a little distance, something caught her attention when she looked out of the windows.
Was that...