Later that day, I was in my room getting dressed for dinner. Pulling my hair back into a slicked back ponytail, I tugged on the lapels and cufflinks of my new suit. I needed to make a good impression after all.

I found it fit well and was surprisingly comfy, even if it was a bit fancy for a kid my age. As I gazed at the mirror next to my bed, I discovered I did not look half bad. It seemed almost as if another person was staring back at me.

Leaving the room, I nervously walked to the dining hall. The doors opened as they announced my presence, revealing the royal family behind them. Her Majesty the Queen smiled at me encouragingly.

Of course I smiled back. Or at least, I tried. It came out more of a grimace. Observing my surroundings, I noticed the princess staring at me in confusion. I gave an awkward little wave.

She frowned at me, probably wondering who exactly I was and why I was there. She turned to her father and whispered in his ear. He nodded, answering the question she asked. Whatever His Highness's response was caused her to frown even more.

My eyes wandered to the long table, almost the length of the entire Great Hall. The food was laid out along the table, but unlike some of the rich and noble families, they did not spread such a lavish feast just to impress or show off.

One could tell, if only because instead of having enough food to feed a small village, well over half the table was bare. Dinnerware was set at one end, with just enough for four people, while the food itself covered about six feet of the overly long table.

King Adrien beckoned me over with an open grin. I shuffled to his side, all nerves and tension. "Don't be nervous Brooks. This is my precious daughter Serefina. This is the girl you are to be guarding." He turned to the princess and introduced me to her.

When she looked at me, I saw doubt in her eyes. Bristling, I straightened up. I knew exactly what was going through her mind. She was thinking that I could not do anything, that I was useless but dangerous. I was someone to be cautious of. I was a Mystic, a monster, a freak.

I would be disgraced if I let her rile me up, so I smiled, looked her dead in the eyes and said, "Thank you for letting me stay here. It will be an honor to protect you. I do hope we can get along."

She must have noticed she was being rude, as she smiled back. "I do too. It is my honor to be guarded by an individual such as yourself. Mystics are legendary, and I can't believe I finally get to meet one!" Her voice rose an octave higher in excitement, something I was not expecting.

To my surprise, her joy seemed genuine. But if she was not frowning at me because of my species, then what? My age? Just because I was eleven, it did not mean that I was useless.

Acting according to proper etiquette, she held out her hand. I bowed, taking it gently and placed a delicate kiss on the back of it. I was surprised yet again when she blushed. Was she not used to this kind of thing? I would expect her to be, considering she was a princess and everything.

Nevertheless, dinner was an uneventful affair. We ate in peace, with little small talk. Her Majesty tried to instigate a conversation between me and the princess, but her efforts were futile.

Every time Princess Serefina glanced at me, she blushed and hurriedly cast her gaze back down to her food. She refrained from speaking throughout the whole dinner.

Once I finished feasting, I rose from my seat and bowed. "This dinner has been scrumptious, but I believe it is time for me to turn in. Would Your Highnesses be so kind as to excuse me? It has been a long day, and I would like to rest. If you do not mind that is, Your Majesties."

The princess gazed at me, taken aback by my actions. I was leaving rather sudden, but it could not be helped. I was not lying when I said the food was delicious, but the atmosphere was starting to get to me, and it felt like I was suffocating. It reminded me too much of the home I left behind. I needed to leave quickly.

Though he, too, seemed startled by my actions, the king inclined his head. "Of course. I can imagine this must be a little difficult for you. This is very different from what you are used to, correct?"

I nodded my thanks and bowed one more time before leaving the room. Once out of their sight, I ran until I found my way outside. Looking up at the night sky filled with sparkling stars eased the tight feeling in my chest. Loosening my tie, I sighed. I would have to get used to this sooner or later, but it would take a while.

Taking one last deep breath of the fresh air, I headed to my room. I changed into night clothes and fell onto the bed, instantly falling into a deep sleep. That night, I remember dreaming of pale, mist-shrouded moons and skies dripping with stars that shone like diamonds