Why did he want me to do this for him? For that matter, if he had specialized bodyguards already, why did he need someone like me?
I had assumed that palace life would be a little better than my life back home, but finding out the job was this easy actually scared me.
“Then, with all due respect…why? Why did you go out of your way to make me your bodyguard? No matter how I look at it, you don’t need me.”
I couldn’t understand what Prince Eric was thinking. Between this and wanting to observe my saintly duties, I couldn’t see why he was so obsessed with me.
Since I completely denied his accusation that I abused Jill, I figured that had made him obstinate, almost as if he was determined to catch me red-handed and expose my evil nature. But doing that wouldn’t benefit him in any way. Besides, from what I’d seen so far, Prince Eric already had his hands full with his duties as crown prince.
“At first…I was furious. I was so happy for my friend because I heard he was marrying a saint. I assumed she must be a very talented and virtuous woman—but my expectations were betrayed.”
The truth had come out—he was angry about Philip’s broken engagement. But I already knew that much. And since he had come at me when I was vulnerable, I had said some awful things to him too.
But, with the clarity of hindsight, I realized that from his point of view, I was the wench who had betrayed his friend. It was only natural for him to act the way he did, especially when his life was in such danger every day.
“Afterward, I watched you at work as a saint. And while there was no doubt that you were distracted by my presence, you wielded your great arcane powers calmly and without conceit to erect the barriers. Since you were not the woman Philip had made you out to be, I began to have doubts.”
I silently took in his words.
“I was worried that I might have jumped to conclusions about you. And I was embarrassed that I had let my self-righteousness get the better of me and scolded you. I was ashamed that I had made assumptions about somebody I barely knew.”
“Huh?”
Prince Eric’s crystal-clear eyes looked directly into mine. He wanted to apologize for how he behaved earlier. And he was right: He had denounced me without getting the facts straight. To be honest, I did think Eric had acted poorly.
But since assassins were at his throat every day, it was understandable that he would be so untrusting. So as long as his apology was sincere, I was willing to forgive him.
“I’m sorry for how I treated you earlier today. I was wrong—I should have made an effort to confirm the facts. As the crown prince, and more importantly, as a human being, my behavior was just too inconsiderate.”
“Your Highness, please, don’t bow to me. I don’t hold any grudges.”
“Please, just let me observe you at work again with a fresh slate so that I may pass judgment. I want to have a good, proper look at you and determine if you truly are suited to be a saint and whether Philip was telling the truth. It’s true that I don’t have enough bodyguards, but that was only half of the reason I brought you here.”
“Huh?”
Um, what? The matter isn’t closed?
I couldn’t believe he still suspected me of foul play. Either that, or he simply wanted to consider Philip’s testimony and my own with an impartial gaze.
He was—how should I put it?—stubborn. Even though he owned up to his mistakes, there were still things he wouldn’t surrender so easily.
“So…you still won’t believe me, Your Highness?”
“I’m sorry… Naturally, I want to believe you, but I simply can’t be certain after knowing someone for such a short time. It’s my nature.”
I still had a hard time understanding what he was getting at, but the look in his eyes told me he was sincere. His eyes were so earnest that I looked away without meaning to.
He’s so righteous, it hurts to look at him.
“I’m going to keep an eye on you for a while. As a saint, and as my bodyguard.”
And with that, Prince Eric instructed his servant to show me to my room and walked out of the study. Now my work for the day was truly done.
I felt trapped. I was going to be judged by Prince Eric, and those clear, righteous eyes of his.
“Lady Leia, Prince Eric has instructed me to escort you to your room. This way, please.”
Well, either way, at least I finally get to lie down.
The servant showed me to my quarters. Once inside, I was immediately surprised by how spacious it was. It certainly was a palace-sized guest room—it was several times larger than my room at home.
The bed in here was so comfortable that it could plunge me into a deep and immediate sleep. And I couldn’t believe how much quieter things were without Catherine and Jill around.
“Please, just let me observe you at work again with a fresh slate.”
Maybe he truly was just virtuous and true to a fault. He really surprised me, admitting his mistakes one moment, then saying that in earnest the next. Truth be told, I almost laughed then. This might’ve been the first time I’ve ever been so curious about a person. Even after I closed my eyes, I could still see Prince Eric behind my lids, and I couldn’t sleep.
But the sensation faded after about ten minutes. The next thing I knew, it was morning. The succession of unexpected events had worn me out.
Today would be my first full day in my new life at the palace. A servant helped me dress and get ready for the day. After breakfast, I prepared for my saintly duties and went to Prince Eric’s study.
“You’re off to do your work as a saint, aren’t you? Use a palace carriage. I’ll ride with you.”
Thus, my life as Eric’s so-called bodyguard—more of a conversation partner—began.
The unexpected turn of events was dizzying, but I wanted to do my best at the tasks assigned to me. I may not have looked it, but I was highly competitive, so if Prince Eric wanted to judge my character with his own eyes, I vowed that I would win his approval at all costs.
I had never been ashamed of my actions, not even once. And starting today, I was going to show that to Prince Eric.