Always by Your Side - Chapter 1 (Patreon)

A wild Wednesday story appears!

This is the spiritual predecessor to A Royal Match, which I released to a handful of people a long time ago but never posted because I was posting so many other Bumbleby stories.  Well, now that we have a White Rose story on Saturdays, I figured now would be a great time to get this one out in the world.

This story, like A Royal Match, is written with shorter chapters that each feature a kiss.  Those kisses get pretty steamy as the story progresses, so don't read this if you're under 18 or don't like anything with smut in it!

That being said, I actually enjoyed this story a lot, and I hope you like it too!

***

Striding purposefully through the palace halls, Blake kept her gaze forward and her posture straight and tall.  Just like she’d been taught and reminded time and time again through her formative years - ‘shoulders back, chin up, being a princess starts with walking like a princess.’

With those years long gone, she walked like a princess just fine.  It was the other parts, the more important parts, she’d yet to get a handle on.  Public speaking, commanding a room, being the face of a nation - none of those aspects of being a ruler came naturally to her.  ‘It takes time,’ her mother told her so many times.  ‘You’ll get the hang of it.’

What no one seemed to understand was that she wasn’t sure if she wanted to get the hang of it.  The rules, the expectations, the constant observation and fear of making the smallest mistake...

That was the lack of confidence speaking.  Once she had more experience, maybe she’d become more comfortable with the responsibilities she ‘earned’ with age.  Maybe she’d find a way to enjoy life as the Princess of Menagerie.

So far, it didn’t look promising.

“Good morning, Princess,” one of the butlers greeted her as she headed past.

“Good morning,” she replied with a small smile and polite nod.

He expected nothing more from her, nor she from him as they carried on with their tasks.  For him - cleaning, organizing, and otherwise maintaining the grand palace she called home.  For her - meeting her parents in the throne room so she could be introduced to her new personal bodyguard.

To say she wasn’t looking forward to it was an understatement.

While very capable of doing their jobs, the royal guards were stiff and unfriendly.  They never spoke and hardly smiled, yet their constant, oppressive presence made Blake feel monitored and trapped.  As long as they were around, she couldn’t do what she wanted.  She couldn’t be herself, even while alone, because they were always watching.  That was the biggest reason she spent much of her younger years ditching them whenever possible.

Unfortunately, her ‘increased responsibilities’ meant she would be leaving the palace more often.  As such, she was fortunate to have another guard glued to her side.  And they would remain there for the rest of her life, most likely.

Upon reaching the throne room and walking inside, Blake discovered that her parents had arrived first.  They stood near the two ornate thrones neither of them used and had their heads bent together, holding what looked like an important conversation.  As King and Queen of Menagerie, most of the conversations they had were important; their decisions impacted many, many lives.

When the conversation stopped as soon as they realized they were no longer alone, Blake had a sneaky suspicion as to what the subject matter had been.

“Good morning,” she greeted them with a curtsy, which she only did to express her general annoyance with their reason for meeting.  “Where’s the guest of honor?”

“She’ll be here soon.”

Her mom’s smile suggested she knew exactly how Blake felt about the situation.  The response, however, piqued Blake’s interest.

“‘She?’”

“Yes.”  From the glint in her eyes, Blake’s mom found the situation particularly amusing.  “We know you’re unhappy about it, but we can’t have you running off like you have in the past.”

“I was fourteen,” Blake protested.

“And what about last year?”

“That was different.”  Crossing her arms, she tried to think of a logical excuse but came up empty-handed.  “He was...boring,” she replied honestly instead, to which her parents exchanged glances.

“Exactly.”

Again, Blake was surprised by the response - this time because it sounded an awful lot like agreement, and like they’d finally grasped how unbearably stifled and restricted she felt having a handler assigned to her.  Unfortunately, any thought of convincing them to change their mind disappeared when they exchanged determined looks.

“Your father and I have been talking, and we think the issue was that your previous guards were all men, and older men at that.”

Blake huffed her agreement and rolled her eyes - not a very princess-like thing to do, but her parents let her get away with it.

“Of course you wouldn’t want to spend time with them,” her mom continued unperturbed.  “So, after a great deal of searching, we found someone more appropriate.  Someone you might have more in common with, but who’s still capable of keeping you safe should the situation call for it.  And yes, it’s a ‘she.’”

While unexpected, the news was probably meaningless.  Man or woman - anyone with the training to be a palace guard often came from the military academy, and they took their jobs so seriously that they hardly unclenched their jaw.  Blake didn’t enjoy their company because they weren’t enjoyable people; they were cold, rigid, and made conversation like a soggy piece of paper.

“You’re becoming a more visible part of this family,” her father added, setting a weighty hand on her shoulder while meeting her gaze.  “We need to know you’re protected wherever you go.  Do you understand?”

Reading the sincerity in his eyes, Blake sighed.

“I do,” she said softly.

She understood the importance of having someone around to protect her, and she understood she was too old to be ducking her guards, but that didn’t mean she had to enjoy it.  As a member of the royal family, she had enough rules and restrictions as it was; a permanent escort smothered any idea of freedom she had left.

“Just try for us, please,” her mom pleaded.  “We want you to be happy, but we need to know you’re safe, too.  We worry about you enough as it is...”

While her mom shared a distressed look with her father, she sighed and let her shoulders slouch.  She loved her parents, and she didn’t want them to worry.  The least she could do was try to make the best of it for their sakes.  Besides, maybe a female guard would be different.  Maybe they’d get along better.  Maybe it wouldn’t feel as...businesslike.

“Ok.”  Meeting her parents’ gazes, she took a deep breath and flashed a smile.  “I’ll try.”

Their palpable relief made her feel guilty for the scares she must have put them through before, but those incidents seemed like moments of the past when her mom reached over and gently squeezed her arm.

“Thank you, sweetie,” she said before her eyes landed on something over Blake’s right shoulder.  “Ah, here she is.”

Turning towards the approaching footsteps, Blake caught sight of her new guard and felt her brow rise in surprise.  When she woke up this morning, she’d expected to be introduced to another firm gentleman who’d once served in the military or spent decades in private security.  Then she’d assumed the same, but a woman instead.

She couldn’t have been more wrong.

If her mom hadn’t just announced that this was the right person, Blake would think it was a mistake.  But only one person was walking towards them right now, and that person was a girl no older than herself.

Not only were they shockingly similar in age, but this girl had none of the mannerisms of any bodyguard Blake had ever met.  Her long, wavy blonde hair was eye-catching in an almost distracting way.  Her outfit looked comfortable and stylish yet functional.  Her gait suggested subtle confidence and swagger, while the slight smile on her lips and sparkle in her vividly-lilac eyes suggested friendliness and humor.

As soon as she stopped in front of Blake, even taller up close than she appeared at a distance, their eyes locked and her smile grew.  Her eyes brightened the longer Blake’s gaze remained trapped on her, suggesting abundant happiness or, at the very least, excitement about being here.

Without a word, she cemented herself as one of the most effortlessly-beautiful people Blake had ever seen.  Then she clasped her hands behind her back, politely bowed, and offered a gentle, mesmerizing, “Princess.”

Shellshocked by the turn of events, Blake just stared.  Fortunately, her mother stepped in to steer the conversation along.

“Blake, this is Yang Xiao Long.”  Hearing her name, Yang lifted her gaze and smiled up at Blake.  “She’ll be accompanying you on any engagements or responsibilities outside the palace.”

Blake understood the explanation, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Yang.  That hair...that outfit...that smile...

“But…” she got out, but she couldn’t even decide what to ask first.  Yang was so young and...gorgeous.  Why her?  Was she capable?  Was this a joke?

“If I may,” Yang replied, straightening her shoulders and flashing an even more brilliant smile.  As soon as Blake’s father nodded for her to speak, she met Blake’s gaze without an ounce of hesitancy or fear.

“I know what you’re thinking, Princess,” she began, that warm smile never wavering.  “But I’m more than capable of protecting you.  I completed the academy with the highest marks in my class, I’m extensively trained in several different fighting styles, and I’m pretty much an expert with anything that has a trigger.  I promise you’ll be safe with me.”

While everyone waited for Blake’s response, she struggled for words.  Besides age, she had no reason to think Yang was incapable - especially when Yang casually shifted her arms, revealing outlines of muscle through her shirt.  To even get this position, she must have done enough to impress Blake’s parents - and they weren’t easy to impress.  So, after glancing their way and receiving nods that silently stated their decision, Blake turned back to Yang and offered her hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Yang.”

Blake expected a handshake.  A handshake would have been customary given the circumstances.

But Yang gently lifted Blake’s hand and bowed her head to place a lingering kiss upon the back of it instead.  Blake’s cheeks warmed at the feeling of Yang’s soft lips pressed to her skin, and something closer to butterflies fluttered in her chest, but the sensation disappeared moments later.

Pulling away, Yang looked up at Blake with that same warm, earnest smile in place.

“The pleasure’s all mine.”