“For crying out loud, what are you two bickering about in the doorway…”
“Speak of the devil…” I murmured under my breath as my father emerged from his study. He wore his usual mask of ineffectual frustration, but his eyes betrayed his true feelings: He wanted to resolve this conflict as soon as possible, even if it meant making me the bad guy.
“Oh, oh, Father, I’m so s-sorry. Leia and I were having a little spat,” Jill sniveled.
“Darling, Leia has been cruel to Jill again. Do talk some sense into her!”
“Oh dear. Again, Leia?” Forced to follow the same script for who knew how many times now, my father looked at me as if I were a tumor. He probably didn’t care who was telling the truth—whether I truly was a villain or Jill was blowing everything out of proportion. To be blunt, my father’s indifference was the main cause of our strained relationship. If he would only blame my stepmother and sister just a little…if he would only hear my side of the story…things wouldn’t have gotten as bad as they were.
But my father wouldn’t speak up, nor would he listen. He liked to play it safe and steer clear of hassle. At least outside of the home he acted as a proper count and maintained his lands, so it couldn’t be said he totally ignored the world around him—that was his one saving grace.
“Oh, if only Leia didn’t live here, our family would be so much more peaceful.”
“But, Mother, that would be so unfortunate for poor Leia! Then again…if I were an only child, I would be so much happier… Oh, no, I shouldn’t say it. I mustn’t indulge in such wicked thoughts!”
“You are such a sweet girl, Jill.”
Jill was shamelessly voicing her inner monologue; it would’ve been nice if she’d at least made an effort to hide her true colors. That pair truly did believe they would be better off without me, so it was a shame they couldn’t get rid of me by marrying me off to Philip. But then again, if my leaving would make their lives so much better, it was baffling why they’d sabotaged it.
“Anyway, Leia. I’ll see you in my study—”
“M-Master! Master Westoria! Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!” our servant Bob yelled.
The abnormal fluster in his voice drew everyone’s eyes toward him—we knew there must be some emergency.
“What’s the racket all about?” my father demanded.
“Th-the crown prince! Prince Eric! He’s come to call!!!”
My parents let out a muted gasp.
“Prince Eric, you say? Ooh, he’s my dream man. Ever since I was a little girl, I wished to live with Prince Eric in the palace.”
Our household erupted into a frenzy of activity. Jill wiped her eyes and quickly smoothed her hair. I guessed she had a thing for Prince Eric. The way she raved about him with stars in her eyes barely an hour after accepting Philip’s proposal—talk about turning on a dime. She could teach a class.
Still, we had no idea why His Highness would grace our humble home with his presence. I could only assume I’d offended him back at the forest and he came to complain. Either way, this was still going to be a big hassle. I just wanted to go to my room and lie down, but that would have to wait. All I could do was sigh again… Seemed like I was doing a lot of that today.
“W-well, well! My goodness, our house has been blessed by royalty’s presence! If only we had known sooner, we could have given you a proper welcome.”
“No need to concern yourself; it was my fault for barging in unannounced. Count Westoria, let’s get straight to the purpose of my visit. I have a very important favor to ask.”
The prince’s sudden announcement made my head tilt in confusion. The prince wants a favor? What could it be? Hmm… I can’t think of anything.
What could my father do for him? Loan out his lands for some royal project? That was the only thing that came to mind.
“A favor of us, Your Highness? Please, ask anything and we shall comply. I will do everything in my power to fulfill any request of Your Highness.”
Even though my father had no idea what this request might be, his answer was automatic. It was only natural for him to say he would do everything in his power to help: He was speaking to the future king, after all. If my father had a chance to get on his good side, he would.
“I truly appreciate your commendable attitude. Well, here is my request: I wish to employ your daughter, Saint Leia Westoria for some time as my bodyguard. As such, she shall need to reside in the palace.”
Another muffled gasp from my parents.
Wh-what is he saying? “Come work at the palace” was the last thing I imagined…
At the prince’s unexpected proclamation, my happy home descended into chaos. Naturally, I was just as surprised as everyone. I was so stunned that my mouth gaped.
Despite the tumult in my mind, I felt the chill of Jill’s terrifying gaze upon me. She stood there, trembling and clenching her fists with the most bitter expression. I didn’t know what exactly she was bitter about, though I imagined it had something to do with the prince ignoring her and asking me to serve him at the palace.
“Oh, yes, I see… You’d like Leia to be Your Highness’s bodyguard, yes… I feel that might present some logistic issues—she is quite busy erecting barriers every day.”