“But daddy!” I pouted as I crossed my arms and gazed up at my father. His storm gray eyes stared down at me with a gleam of amusement and a wide smile that revealed his pearly white teeth. He was a stern man, at least until it came to me.

“No buts Cali. As a princess, you need a bodyguard. That's final.” The amusement in his eyes quickly faded and was replaced instead by a glare. Which made me hold my tongue as frustration boiled within me. I was a marquis level cultivator at fourteen! It was already a well-known fact that I am a powerhouse, so why did I need to be coddled like a child?

A soft smile broke his face as he reached out and gave me a soft pat on the shoulder. “I know you don’t like the idea of it. But it’s for the best. Times are changing and not for the best. There is something brewing on the horizon and there are dark days coming. You need someone that you can rely on. Besides, I think you might like her.” He pulled his hand away before shifting his gaze down the hallway that we were standing in.

The palace was bustling today. There were dozens of servant staff in this area alone, and each was attending to specific tasks, like cleaning paintings or scrubbing the floor. It was all truly honorable work in my eyes. So I didn’t look down on them. We all had our own jobs to do, after all. “Fine, since you insist.” I huffed at him and crossed my arms as we walked down the hall together. I didn’t mind having a bodyguard, I just didn’t like how it felt like my freedom was getting threatened.

He chuckled as he guided me down the hall. His long flowing cape trailed behind him dancing in the air. Today was, thankfully, an easier day for him. Since tomorrow was the first day of the Asterian Triumph. It was always fun to have a peaceful day. That also meant I could lounge around and not do much for once. The thought alone brought a dopey grin to my face.

“Anyway, I’m going to send you with Theodora to the training grounds to gather your bodyguard. Afterwards, you are free to do whatever you like afterwards..” Father told me as he gave a gentle nod to one maid-servant who walked past. She happened to stagger and a faint blush spread across her cheeks. Most women were like that when it came to my dad. But I never understood why. Yes, I supposed on a purely logical level he was an attractive man. He was burly and definitely strong. He kept his hair closely shaved which came from his time in the military, and it brought into focus just how chiseled his face was. So was it just attraction or was it just a desire to bear an heir? Relationships were weird, and amongst nobiles, there was no love there.

My thoughts swam as I walked alongside as I tried to figure out what I wanted to talk about. Then it finally hit me that there was a question I was curious about for some time. “Daddy, are you going to marry me off?” I asked as I walked down the hallway with him. It was a heavy topic, one I wasn’t sure how to ask. But it was definitely something that made me nervous. I mean, all of my noble friends were talking about it! They said that many of them were getting married off for political ties, and whatnot. Was that to be my fate as well?

“No. I’d never do such a thing, sweetie. For starters, you are the crown princess. You will inherit the throne, and I’d rather die a thousand times than have someone else even have a chance of taking my empire away. Besides, I’m a believer in true love. So I’d never force you to do something like that.” He gently replied, as he placed his hand on my shoulder. I relaxed at his words and nodded my head. I didn’t want to be with someone for political gains. It felt wrong.

“Besides, I heard you had a little suitor already.” His eyes twinkled with amusement as he gazed down at me.

My face flushed at his words, and I shook my head. “How did you hear about that?” I stammered as embarrassment coursed through my veins as I thought about that moment.

“A good emperor has eyes everywhere. But worry, not my dear daughter. I thought it was extremely cute.” A low chuckle danced through the air as he pulled his attention forward and kept walking.

I was far too embarrassed to say anything. The gal of that woman! Who did she think she was, standing in front of all the heirs and heiress and boldly claiming that she was in love with me? The thought alone made my face flush even harder, and I twisted the hems of my blouse.

I was but a young woman. How else am I supposed to react to such a candid confession? Even then, what if there was a hidden motive behind it? There were too many things I had to keep in consideration of this.

“Oh, also, I think you are going to like your bodyguard.” Once more, my father’s voice took on a teasing tone, but I was still too far into my head to actually think about that.

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“If you say so.” I shrugged and tried to shove the thoughts I was having down into the depth of my mind. Just take a breath, Cali. It was just a confession. Don’t put too much stock into it.

“I do say so. Anyway, this is where I will leave you. I have to have a meeting with the Duke of Corelia, and the Duke of Sirus before the triumph begins. Theodore will be with you shortly, and she will guide you the rest of the way." My father reached down and gave me a quick hug and a peck on the forehead.

“Okay, father. Good luck!” I called out as he gave me a small smile and turned away, leaving me alone in the hallway.

I stood there for a moment and thought about my plans for the day. I wanted to visit the garden, and then I had plans with Avani to go to the central plaza for a small shopping spree. While I strongly disagreed with having a bodyguard, I understood why he wanted me to have one.

A sigh escaped from my lips, and I crossed my arms. The life of a princess is truly difficult. Today is my only actual day off. Tomorrow I have to attend the parade and then try to make some connections with a few of the noble houses to jumpstart my wealth. In the words of my father, “I won’t be here forever, and you will need to learn how to do all of this on your own. So it’s better to do it while I’m here.”

Although I knew he was right it still bothered me. I didn’t want to imagine him dying. Thankfully, I’ve learned a lot from him so far. Already, my power and influence was already growing at a prodigious rate. All because he made me start buying stakes with zero help outside of advice. I can proudly say that I’ve climbed my way up the ladder with nothing but the small allowance he gives me a month.

Now I own many of the small businesses in the outer portions of the capital city, as well as having an extensive information network. There is truly no better source of information than that which comes from a beggar. Now what’s next on my list is consolidating all of those businesses into one umbrella guild. That way I can more actively control pricing and even encroach on some of the opposing noble holdings. That way if ,gods forbid, something happens to my father, then I have more than enough influence to put the other noble families in their place.

As I thought through my plan, a voice rang next to my ear. It was one that sounded like the soft chiming of bells. “Hello Princess.”

“Theodora!” I called out as I spun around wrapped my arms around an armor clad waist. Usually it was considered taboo to call an Athantoi by their given name. But this woman raised me ever since I was a baby.

“Are you ready to meet your new bodyguard?” She asked as she pulled away. Her basilisk helm glittered in the white lighting of the palace and it even winked at me.

“I guess. I didn’t want one in the first place, but father insisted I take one. So I’ll allow it.” I crossed my arms and nodded my head. If it’s for my father, then I’ll do it.

“Don’t look so cross. Besides, something tells me you’ll like her.” As Theo spoke, a glimmer of amusement danced in her snake eyes, leaving me with a sense of confusion.

“Father said the same thing a few times. What are you two planning?” I asked as I crossed my arms. Something was fishy, and I didn’t like it one bit.

“Oh nothing. Anyways, come along.” Theodora made a quick gesture with her hand, and started to walk down the hallway. Her steps were sleek, and graceful. It was as if each step she took was a part of a dance. I think the best way I could describe it was almost snake like.

“Theo, you know I don’t like surprises.” I warned her as I quickly caught up. I had to almost sprint just to stay at her heels, and not even my cultivation level was enough. Compared to her, I was just an annoying gnat.

“And that is what's going to make this all the better.” She chuckled as she sped up slightly forcing me to try and dredge up even more of my power.

“Wait up. This isn’t fair Theo!” I called out as I had to switch to my lightning steps just to keep up with her. The shocked faces of the servant staff flashed around me, as I bounded behind her, as she guided me towards the training room. She flashed out of sight, as she turned the corner, and I quickly stepped into the room and froze in my tracks as I saw who was standing in there.

“It’s you.” Embarrassment glued my feet to the floor and I felt a blush spread across my face. My heart hammered heavily in my chest as I stared at the girl who stood across from me.

A pair of eyes the color of molten gold stared at me. A smirk pulled a corner of her pale lips upward as she eyed me for a few seconds. “Yes, it’s me.” She drew her words out slightly, causing my heart to flutter. It’s not like I like her or anything like that. But her public confession really embarrassed me.

I stared at her for a second as I tried to find the right words to use. “Are you so uncouth that you had to publicly confess? Do you know no shame?” I huffed as I crossed my arms.

An eyebrow rose as she eyed me for a second and her grin grew ever larger. “Don’t pretend like you didn’t like it princess.” Her words came out like a purr and my heart jumped in my chest.

“That’s not the point.” I retorted and shook my head. The nerve of this woman, acting like she did nothing wrong.

“Oh, so you enjoyed it after all, hmm?” Her eyes flickered, and I felt my face flush an even deeper red. I just walked into her trap and the worst part was, I didn’t know how to climb out of it.