You watched as she laid under her favourite apple tree reading a book. You had given her the book, last week as a birthday gift to the now teenage princess.

Mel Medarda, the youngest of the Medarda line, Ambessas only daughter, and the fox of the family. You watched silently from next to her.

A gentle giant you were with Mel. You had been assigned as her guard when she was young. 5 years old or so, you were 23. And now Mel is 13 and will gladly attempt to out witt you.

Me knew of your… abilities. A highly trained soldier, covered head to toe in weapons and could still out run her in a race even if she had a head start. Yet you held that soft spot for her. Wouldn’t raise your voice, wouldn’t argue with simple orders or commands. You were hers, and Ambessa had chosen you to keep her daughter safe, you swore an oath.

Yet you had never killed in front of her. Only beaten a few men and woman at markets. You would go into an almost trance till she was back in her room safe and away from danger. Where she had started to learn medical.

“Good book?” You ask, voice calm yet powerful.