The news reaches you in the middle of a routine briefing. You're focused on the task at hand, going over details on an upcoming mission, when then a messenger interrupts you. He claims it's urgent.

"You're to be assigned a bodyguard," he announces, and the room falls silent.

You blink, taken aback. A bodyguard? The thought seemed absurd.

You’ve managed well enough on your own, proven your competence and reliability time and again. Why would you need someone to guard and coddle you? It's one big blow to your pride, an obvious challenge to your independence. You’ve worked hard to be respected, to be seen as capable and self-sufficient. The notion of a bodyguard only felt like a step backward.

You open your mouth to protest, but the messenger holds up a hand. "It’s not negotiable," they say, their tone brooking no argument. "Orders from the top."

Resignation settled in you, which was not welcome at all.

This was unfair. You're supposed to be looked up to, respected within the Xianzhou Alliance.

Who would they even deem suitable for such a role? Some overprotective soldier? A shadow to follow your every move? Your answer came later that day, and you couldn’t help but already dread of what’s to come.

You sat in your quarters, going over the day’s reports when there’s a knock at the door. It opened before you can respond, and she stepped in—her presence filled the room already without no effort.

Feixiao, the Xianzhou Yaoqing's Merlin's Claw, one of the Seven Arbiter-Generals, stood before you, her gaze alight with mirth.

"You have an amusing surprised look, my Lady." she noted, a playful smile curling her lips.

The world wasn’t really against you, after all.