Nik was introduced to the prince and his wife and when they were informed what Nik's role in the palace was, Prince Alaric's face lit up.

 

"You protect my sister?"

 

Nik confirmed. "Yes, Your Highness. I do. I am her personal guard."

 

"What's she like? I've always wanted to meet her." The prince sounded excited to hear about Saylia.

 

Nik shyly looked down and a small smile appeared on her face. "She's the smartest woman you'd ever meet. She's caring. She's beautiful too. She deserves more than she's given and deserves to be recognized for her mind rather than her beauty."

 

Nik continued to ramble on about how amazing she thought Saylia was. She didn’t even realize how much she was rambling about the princess.

 

“She doesn’t think like the old King. She truly wishes she could make a difference and she tries in every way she can to do so.”

 

Prince Alaric sighed and gave the knight a big smile "Sir Nik, are you in love with my sister?"

 

Nik couldn't believe that the vampire prince assumed that Nik was in love with the princess. Nik couldn't be. While Saylia was incredible, she was still vampire royalty and King Luther’s heir. Nik's loyalties were with the Revolution.

 

 

 

The knight was so distracted by her thoughts that she didn't hear Saylia trying to get her attention. "Nik? Nik?! NIK!"

 

Nik snapped out of her thoughts and looked at the small, angry princess and realized she had been ignoring Saylia. "I apologize, Your Highness."

 

"Is everything okay? Are you feeling well? You're not usually this distracted." The pair were sitting in the rose garden again. This had become Saylia's favorite place to escape with her guard. She would bring a book and the two would sit while Saylia reads. Nik would sometimes train a bit in the garden's path. Nobody came to this corner of the palace gardens other than the staff to maintain the area. Sometimes they just spoke. Nik would tell stories of human towns, her time at the Academy, and her childhood.

 

Nik's cheeks grew red, not wanting to admit that she was thinking about the preposterous idea of being in love with the princess. "I'm fine, Your Highness."

 

Saylia sighed. "I've told you before to call me by my name." The princess closed the book she was reading and brought her hand to Nik's cheek and frowned. Nik jumped at her touch and felt her face grow even warmer. "I wish I could tell if you had a fever. You're all red."

 

"Do vampires not feel warmth?" Nik had noticed before when escorting the princess that her skin tended to feel rather cold.

 

Saylia dropped her hand into her lap. "Not quite like humans do. I can't say I don't feel any warmth - but it isn't the same as what you feel."

 

Nik nodded. Vampires and humans seemed so different in their physiology sometimes.

 

"But, like humans, we do feel anxious and worried about those we care about."

 

The knight was shocked. "You care about me?"

 

Saylia grinned. "Of course I do. Not only are you my personal guard but I like to think that you're my friend."

 

Nik wondered if Saylia would feel the same if she knew that her personal guard was part of the Revolution, hell-bent on ending her father's reign. "You know, Princess, we may be more alike than you think."

 

Saylia looked at Nik quizzically. "What do you mean?"

 

"You see humans differently than other vampires. I like to think that I see vampires differently than other humans. You consider me your friend, and I consider you mine. We have similar feelings about the current social hierarchy of both humans and vampires. We enjoy many of the same books and topics. You're just me, and I'm just like you."

 

Saylia smiled sweetly. "I guess that's true."

 

The two were silent for a moment. Saylia then sighed and asked "Nik, what do you know of the Revolution?"

 

Nik internally panicked for a moment, wondering if the Princess knew of her involvement. "I don't know much more than any other knight or palace guard. I know that they're pushing for humans and vampires to coexist peacefully. I know that rather than abolishing the monarchy like many think, they actually want their leader and his wife to rule as the first interspecies royal couple. That's all I really know."

 

Saylia nodded. "I've heard that they want to replace my father with their own leader as king. I know I shouldn't agree with the idea - but I do think that my father is too stuck in his ways to truly bring our kingdom into the future."

 

"Do you think that you would be able to bring the kingdom into the future?"

 

The princess closed her eyes. "Nik, I truly wish I could make a difference. But I have no power until I'm married. And the man my father wants me to marry hates humans even more than my father does."

 

"I think that despite that, you could make a difference Saylia. You're so intelligent. You're so clever. You could make changes. I don't believe that you will ever let that awful lord steamroll you into laws and decisions you don't agree with." Saylia opened her eyes when Nik took her hand. The knight was kneeling in front of her. "You are the heir to the throne. You are the Le Rouge princess."

 

Saylia and Nik looked at each other for a moment. Saylia's chest started feeling warm in a way she had never experienced before. For the first time ever she felt the urge to be closer to another living being. She even started leaning towards Nik, wanting to feel what warmth she could from her knight.

 

But the moment was quickly ruined by an approaching maid. She was coming to fetch the princess to start preparing for her engagement ball that night.

 

❧

 

Hours later, after Saylia had been painted and groomed and dressed as the perfect princess, Nik entered her chambers to escort her to the ball.

 

And when Nik entered the room, she was taken aback by the woman in front of her.

 

Saylia’s long inky hair had been curled and pinned partially back to reveal her face. Color had been added to her cheeks and her lips were painted red, like the princess had just drank blood. Her eyes had been lined and her lashes darkened to make her piercing violet gaze even more vibrant. Her skin was flawless and had a ethereal glow to it.

 

The princess was dressed in a strapless black dress. While it showed no cleavage, it did reveal the sharp edges of the petite princess’ collar bone - which was somehow just as attractive. The dress hugged her tiny waist and even her hips before flowing to the floor in layers of silk. She wore long black gloves. And to top off the entire outfit, she wore a tiara, necklace, and earrings adorned with blood red rubies.

 

Nik was speechless. It took her a full minute to realize she was staring at Saylia. She quickly bowed. “You look beautiful, Your Highness.”

 

“Thank you, Nik. You look rather dashing in your formal uniform.” Since Nik has been tasked with staying near and protecting Saylia at the ball, she has to wear her formal knight’s uniform. Not all knights receive these - only the highest ranking. It’s a basic military uniform with a sash showing all of Nick’s medals and achievements. Nik’s treasured sword was attached to her hip as always. Her short hair was pulled back as smoothly as it could be.

 

Nik bowed again and thanked the princess. She offered her arm to escort Saylia to the room where she’ll join Lord Damien and King Luther before entering the ballroom. The two walked in a comfortable silence. Nik never felt the silence between them was awkward. She genuinely enjoyed being in Saylia’s presence, no matter if they were speaking to each other or not.

 

Sadly, the walk was far too short. They quickly reached the sitting room and entered, interrupting the conversation between Saylia’s father and fiancé. The two looked at her, eyes wide. This is generally how people reacted to Saylia when she was dressed up, and Nik knew she hated it. The princess let go of the knight’s arm and Nik stepped away.

 

King Luther came forward and kissed his daughter's forehead. “You look beautiful, my dear. Doesn’t she look beautiful, Damien?”

 

Damien also stepped forward. He had a sickeningly sweet smile plastered on his face and looked at Saylia like she was a divine meal. “Of course. She’s always the most beautiful woman in the room.”

 

Saylia looked blankly at the man. She wasn’t impressed by his state or his compliment. But, ever the perfect princess she knew she must be grateful. “Thank you, Father, Lord Damien.”

 

Her voice was flat. The king didn’t seem to notice but Damien sure did. His nostrils flared and he looked at Saylia with contempt in his eyes.

 

Nik did not like the way he looked at the princess. Something in her gut told her that this man should not be trusted.

 

After a few moments, it was time for the royals to enter the ball. King Luther was announced first so he could give a short speech and introduce the new couple. Saylia could hear every word her father said through the door to the ballroom.

 

“Tonight, I announce the future of our wonderful kingdom. Tonight, we are gathered to celebrate the engagement of two great vampire houses. Tonight, my beautiful daughter starts her destiny of marrying a noble son who will bring our kingdom forward. Please join me in celebrating the engagement of my daughter, Princess Saylia and Lord Damien of Carmine.”

 

With that, the doors opened and the royal couple stepped into the ballroom. The attendees applauded Saylia and Damien, but Saylia could hear the hushed whispers along with them. Saylia hated balls. She wished this would end soon.

 

Her only comfort was Nik’s presence just a few feet behind her.

 

As soon as they reached the ballroom floor the two were swarmed by well-wishing nobles. Lord Damien seemed to be eating it up, but Saylia just gave reserved smiles and quiet thanks. They worked their way through the horde of lords and ladies and eventually reached the dance floor. Damien bowed to Saylia, smirking and holding out his hand for her to take.

 

“May I have this dance, my love?”

 

It took every ounce of Saylia’s willpower to not physically wince at his words. She silently took his hand with a small smile. She would get through this. One dance. She could do one dance. She was a good dancer, after many years of lessons fit for a princess.

 

Damien led Saylia to the center of the ballroom and the dance began. They looked like a couple from fairytales as they swept across the floor, turning in complex ways. Saylia felt uncomfortable under Damien’s grasp. At times he squeezed her waist and had a bad habit of looking down, trying to catch a glimpse of Saylia’s breasts. At the end of the dance the young lord lifted the princess by her waist to spin her around.

 

After the song finished they bowed to each other. Once again they were swarmed by nobles. Saylia looked over her shoulder to where Nik was waiting and watching - wishing she could just hide with her guard. Nik gave the princess a reassuring smile, and Saylia felt her insides flutter a bit.

 

That…was a weird feeling. Saylia had never felt flutters before. But, before she could truly think about what it meant, she was dragged into yet another boring conversation with the young noble daughters. They spoke of nearby salons and the newest trends in dresses. This absolutely bored Saylia to no end.

 

As the night went on, Saylia could no longer keep up her fake smile or listen to the other women like she was interested in what they were saying. She then felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned, hoping it was Nik, but was disappointed to see Damien.

 

He bowed and kissed her gloved hand. “Princess, may we take a walk in the garden?”

 

“Yes, of course.” Saylia was more than willing to exit the ballroom - even if it was with this man she despised.

 

The two walked out into the garden, with Nik following close behind. As they reached the bottom of the palace steps, Damien turned and looked at Nik. “You may wait here. The princess is safe with me.”

 

Nik looked to Saylia who gave a slight nod. She bowed to the royal couple and stayed by the castle. Nik did not like the idea of Saylia wandering off with Damien. Nik did not like it one bit.