Well. This was unexpected.

But in all honesty, is anyone still being surprised? This was bound to happen after that stunt you pulled at the Grecian Manor. In your defense, you weren't overly fond of attending events of high extravagance, and said as much to your father.

But your father, the just Emperor that he was, decided that your appearance at such events would be a show of 'good faith' to the nobility, to at least assure them of his decision to make you his Heir Apparent. As much as you adored your father, you couldn't help but groan at this.

And yet despite that, your time at the Grecia family's birthday banquet was surprisingly well spent; the children were sweet to you, the food was actually good this time around, and the company was pleasant, particularly Duchess Grecia's. You found a friend in her.

That was, until one of the noble ladies stepped in and started running her mouth. Needless to say, Lady Rhonda suddenly reminded you of all the reasons you loathed attending these events, her presence being all 8 of them, and that the longer she was running her mouth, the thinner your restraint was in apologising to the Duchess for what happens next.

One more sly remark later, you now sit before your father, Emperor Radiac Du Toprox, who just sighs as he pours through his documents.

"Punching Lady Rhonda in the eye wasn't what we agreed to, dear," he muses. "She started it," you counter. He looks up at you with a raised brow. "And you could have ended it with just your words. You've got cleverer insults in that noggin of yours than she has eyebrows."

She snorts amusedly, leaning back in her chair. He sighs again.

"A guard will be assigned to you. He's to be with you at all times, and intervene if needed. Be assured that he will report back to me on a frequent basis." Before you could even protest, he waves his hand and one of the Knights behind you steps forward with his hands behind his back. You turn to him with furrowed brows.

Him?!

"Ermir will be your personal knight here onwards," he adds.