Elle's POV
The sun was blazing when I headed down the stairs to the dining room. Daddy was already there, sitting back and enjoying his breakfast.
"Good morning, Dad!" I chirped.
"Morning, sweetheart! How did you sleep?" he asked, glancing my way.
"Like a rock, Dad." I grabbed a sandwich from the plate and took a slow bite.
"Oh, right," Daddy set down his spoon, "there's a new bodyguard waiting out front for you."
I froze mid-chew. My eyes widened. "Did I hear that wrong?"
"No, Sweetie."
"Oh my God, Dad!" I burst out. "I'm EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD. Legally I can go wherever I want—as long as I check in. And I wasn't asking for a replacement, I wanted them gone altogether!"
Daddy gave a thin smile. "I never promised to do away with them, did I? Besides, it's just one person. He's young; people around you won't even realize he's a bodyguard."
I let out a long sigh. "Fine." There was no point arguing with a king. I finished my breakfast and a glass of milk without another word.
"I've got to go," I said at last, pushing back my chair.
"Take care, sweetheart."
After saying goodbye, I headed to the front drive. And there he was—my new bodyguard. The moment our eyes met, I knew Daddy was right. His face was far too handsome for "just" a bodyguard. With his towering height, he looked more like a model or a film actor. Even so, I knew he still had to follow all the protocols.
"Good morning, Princess Elle. My name is Christian—Christian Ozera," he said politely.
"Morning. Uh… all right, let's go."
The ride was quiet, broken only by a few necessary remarks. When we reached campus, Flora was already waiting in the lobby. Naturally, every head turned the second Christian opened my car door.
"Oh Lord!" Flora exclaimed theatrically, tugging me aside. "What kind of divine creation did you bring to campus?"
"He's my new bodyguard. Thankfully it's just one. Imagine if there were more than one of him."
Flora lifted a brow. "King Edmund has excellent taste."
I frowned. "What's that supposed to mean, Flo?"
"Good grief, Elle! Look at him. He's model-handsome—with the aura of a prince."
I snorted. "Princess Flora Santionova of the Kingdom of Salfocania, I know he's handsome. But he's still a bodyguard. And probably annoying—just like the last one."
Flora giggled. "Suit yourself. If I were you, I wouldn't let him stray too far."
I just shook my head. Flora always had a keen eye for good-looking men. Strangely enough, she'd never been dumped—most of her exes still wanted her back.
Classes wrapped earlier than usual that day. I chose to sit in the garden and try starting a conversation with Christian. I needed to know who this person shadowing me actually was.
"So, where are you from?" I asked, sipping my hot chocolate.
"Shoreditch, Princess," he replied, naming a district in London.
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-five."
He was actually pleasant to talk to. His answers were calm, and I could hear the breadth of his knowledge in the way he spoke. Our conversation ended only when Peter walked over.
"Hey, Elle! Got a minute?"
"Sure. What's up?"
"I was wondering… would you be my date for my father's charity event tonight?"
I smiled. "Yes, of course. I'd be happy to."
"Great! I'll pick you up at eight at your place. Bye!"
"Bye, Peter."