Guard of my Heart ✅

2. Panicking

"Princess it's time to get up" my maid tells me. Her name is Sophie and she's the literal sweetest human on the planet. I adore her.

"Do I have to?" I groan making the young woman giggle.

"I'm afraid so" she replies politely. "I hear you have a visitor coming today from Starton" she adds. I sigh, sitting up. "Your mother and father have told us the two of you are betrothed."

"So it seems" I reply. "It's a matter that's out of my hands" I add sadly as another knock is heard at my door.

"I'll get it" Sophie smiles and waltzes over to the door. She pulls it open and standing on the other side is my brother Lucas. "Princess?" she checks. I nod and she steps aside to let my brother into the room.

"Sophie you may leave us" I add. She curtsies and exits the room leaving my brother and me alone. "Yes?" I question.

"I'm sorry" he says simply. "And I know I should have run after you last night but lately I feel as if I'm skating on thin ice around here. I didn't want to cause a scene."

"It's alright" I assure him.

"No it is not" he exclaims. "An arranged marriage? What are they thinking? They know nothing of this man besides his country of origin. Be honest with me princess, are we that close to war that you must be married to some man you don't even love?"

"The people have a strong dislike for me" I say simply. "I fight back on everything. The people don't trust I can take on a country without a husband. Tensions, according to my parents, are high enough to warrant such an arrangement."

"But what about love?" A knock sounds on the door. "I'll get it" Lucas says so I don't have to get out of bed. He walks over to the door and pulls it open.

"I need to speak with the princess" a strong, masculine voice says sternly. My heart stops.

"Joshua you can come in" I shout. Lucas looks at me confused but Josh nonetheless walks in. "What is it?" I ask as I pull back my blankets and reach for my robe draped over my chair.

"Once the prince arrives today I will be no longer stationed at your door" he tells me making my heart drop.

"What?" I exclaim. "But-."

"I believe it to be for the best" he says simply. "I just thought it best you hear it from me."

"Josh" I cry, not caring my brother is still in the room. "Please don't do this" I beg.

"I must princess. I will be with you the rest of the day" he adds simply before bowing and leaving my room. I feel as if all the air has left my lungs as tears form in my eyes.

"You're in love with him" Lucas states in shock.

"It's not as if it matters. I have to marry for the country not my heart" I state, breaking halfway through the sentence. Lucas pulls me into his arms and strokes my hair soothingly.

"Sis this isn't fair. If you are in love with your guard then you should be able to make him your husband."

"That is not how it works" I shake my head. "I wish it was but it isn't" I sigh, wiping my tears. "I must get ready for my day. I will see you later" I dismiss him.

I call back Sophie and she helps me get ready. I'm put into a pale pink dress that brushes the floor. It has a box neckline that Sophie expertly accessorizes with a diamond necklace.

Once I'm fully clothed I leave my bedroom, brushing past Josh and heading down to the main floor. I head to the study, knowing Riley will be there. When I walk in my best friend has her nose stuck in a book. I can't help but chuckle. "Leave it to you to have the potential to live a fairytale yet you only sit in here and read them."