"Why are you so nervous ?"I ask my reflection in the mirror, something I often did whenever I happened to be in full panic mood.

It wasn't like anything THAT huge was happening today, well it depended on one's own point of view of their  definition of huge.

If huge for you meant meeting the handsome knight in shining armor who saved your dull boring life, whom I'm sure every girl read and dreamt about at least once in her lifetime ...then yeah, this was huge.

I try to calm myself and focus on seeing a few others of my family members .The only persons I'd met since my trip back were my parents and sister Lana.

My family wasn't all that small, quite the opposite actually .However most of the time they were never home, one would swear my parents didn't even have children with how empty the house was at times.

I open the room door , eyes wide as I stare back at a familiar face .

Liam.My brother.

"Wasn't expecting me back so soon huh?"He asks.

A grin slowly spreads across my face."It's been a while sis."He greets me before pulling me in for a tight hug."I flew in as soon as I heard about what happened."

"You didn't have too!"I scold him.

"Wow."He says."And here I was thinking you'll actually be happy to see me."

I narrow my eyes at him ."You know I'm more than happy to see you.I just know that you're finally doing something productive with your life and I hate that I took you away from that."

"You come first."He points out.

I smile ."You wouldn't be saying that after you find someone to settle down with."

A chuckle escapes his mouth ."You mean like how Cole practically dropped Liliana after he fell for Ella."

I shake my head at him."We both know Liliana deserved it. "

Liliana was our sister , unfortunately she wasn't a very good one.

"Princess Sophia , the king has requested your presence in his study,Leonardo Patterson has just arrived ."One of the royal maid informs me.

My heart skips a beat at the news and I try to  mask my emotions in front of my brother. I quickly excuse myself and follow the maid straight down the hallway.

Leonardo enters the room literally seconds after I got there and does a quick bow , all eyes in the room landing on him.He just had that specific aura about him that demanded everyone's attention , without him having to say a single word.

He doesn't give any emotions away as he stares straight ahead at my father, not laying his eyes on me for even a second...I would know since I stared at him the entire time he spoke to my father.

"I entrust my daughter to you Leonardo , your family has done great things for our kingdom thus far,there is no one else I'd trust my daughter's protection with more than you."

Leonardo's gaze is steady as he looks at my father."I'm honored to be entrusted with something such as this  and I give my promise to you that I would  protect the princess with my life."He responds .

My heart skips a beat at that response , no one , not even Floyd had spoken those words before.I know it was his job to protect me even if it meant losing his own life but hearing it from him made me all warm and fuzzy inside.

Not that I liked the idea of anyone dying for me , don't get me wrong.

It's the way he said it,anyone would know he meant every single word.

Was I crazy?

Maybe I was just grateful that he had saved my life. Maybe all those stories about knights was finally taking it's toll on me.

Surely it had nothing to do with his extremely handsome features, or his well built body...or his deep soothing voice.

Ah crap.

"Thank you , you've put this father's mind at ease ."Father responds .
"After this attack on Sophia and the last attack on Prince Cole's wife , I have no choice but to increase everyone's security.On this note I would like to supply you with your very own team , they would be at your call in case anything happens .I understand that there would be certain places Sophia won't want much security following her around , so on those days you would be her only protection.On other days, you and the rest of your team must protect her ."

"If I may , I would like to choose my own team for the princess's protection. I know many skilled men for this job whom I've worked together with on many occasions  , even on the rescue mission for my sister Rosella ."Leonardo requests .

My father nods his head in understanding."I trust your judgement.You may put together your own team."

"Thank you your majesty."

"Sophia, please be on your best behaviour , I do not want a repeat of last time. "My father warns as he turns his attention to me.

I inwardly groan , thanks for embarrassing me in front of my potential future husband dad.

Okay , where did that thought even come out from.

"There won't be a repeat of last time father ."I promise , the last thing I wanted was to put someone else's life in danger again, especially when it involved my new bodyguard.

I steal a glance at Leonardo and to my disappointment he still gave no emotion away whatsoever.

After I say my goodbyes to everyone at home, I follow Leonardo to the limousine where the driver and a few other security guards are already waiting.

When we were all settled in with two guards to the front and him next to me , I began to fidget with my dress nervously.

"There is nothing to fear.You're safe with me."He says quietly , totally misunderstanding my actions.

I nod my head , my mouth becoming mute for the first time in my life.

Finally finding my voice after a few minutes I turn to him and ask.
"How are Belle and Rosella ?"

I hadn't heard or seen them since the attack and no one had given me any updates on them either, I owed those women my life .

"Good."

Okay...That was short.Way to keep the conversation going.

"Did they find out what was the purpose behind my kidnapping ?"I asked curiously.

"I'm not at liberty to disclose any information regarding your case, Princess."

I swallow , my eyes scanning him for any bruises , he looked completely fine but he was also covered in a suit.His injuries could be hiding behind it.

"Were you hurt anywhere last night ?"

"Princess if I may , I would like to keep this relationship strictly professional.Small talk between a princess and her bodyguard is usually frowned upon.There is no need for us to get any closer , I'll be gone after a few months and your previous bodyguard will take over his duties.It would be like I was never here."

I turned my face the other direction as he spoke , not wanting him to know how much his words affected me.I didn't want him to know a complete stranger such as himself could bring about any sort of emotions in me so soon.

After a few torturous seconds of awkward silence I finally mustered up the courage to look at him again.

"I have something to say to you and I think it's totally appropriate to say this to your bodyguard."I whisper ."I understand that the night you saved me may not have meant anything to you at all , for you it was just fulfilling another  one of your duties.But you need to see that it was more than that for me , you saved my life .My.Life.I'll be grateful to you for as long as I'm alive.Thank you for saving my life Leonardo Patterson.And thank you for putting your life at risk again for me."

And for the first time since I saw him earlier this morning, my emotionless bodyguard raised his gaze to look me square in the eye.

And dear I say, my pathetic weak heart was not ready for a penetrating gaze such as this.

A/N:
Hi my wonderful readers.I would just like to THANK everyone for their amazing support as always , it really makes me happy reading all of your amazing comments .

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