Lacey lay sprawled out on her bed both feet nearly touching each side of her massive queen sized bed. She was practically covered in pillows of all shapes and sizes, but all equally fluffy. It was a requirement. She had a fluffy pillow problem. If her dad could see her now she was certain he would stroke out right there in the doorway. After all this isn't how a princess is supposed to act. She should be poised at all times, a true lady, as she was of age to marry now, and had to make a good first impression for all the suitors. Frankly she thought it was utter bullshit. Groaning she pulled herself up off the bed so she was sitting on the edge, her feet dangling as she was always on the shorter side. Her dad, King Harrison, had called her earlier asking her to meet him in the throne room. The last thing she wanted to do was leave her room to go see what he wanted, but she knew if she didn't go willingly he would send guards to retrieve her. He had before when she had refused to meet suitors that had traveled to meet her. It was shortly after her mom and brother had died, and she had been publicly named the crown princess. Lacey had pitched an utter fit, one much too immature for her 23 years of age, but she was grieving. Her entire world had been turned upside down in a matter of hours, and not even a year later Harrison wanted her to think of marriage and her future as Queen. Understandably she didn't take it well, and still wasn't taking it well. Standing she made her way over to her pearl encrusted vanity, frowning at her reflection. Her face looked much too thin, eyes dark and sunken in from many sleepless nights. Even her dark locks had lost its usual sheen. The half dozen assassination attempts over the last 3 years had taken its toll on her, and the latest one had occurred just last week. She and her father had been entertaining the foreign secretary from Germany outside of Parliament when a rogue gunman had started firing shots in their direction. Jefferson, who was head of the King's Guard had shoved them both down, and no one had been seriously injured. Just a few bruises, scrapes and cuts from the window that had been shot out above them. Lacey shook her head trying to clear the memories from her head. She had put on such a brave face so far, and she didn't want anyone to know how much it actually bothered her. That's what monarchs did right? Pretended that everything was okay even when it wasn't. She touched up her makeup, and brushed out her soft curls once more. This was as good as it was going to get and whatever snobby prince had came would just have to deal with it. Lacey shut her bedroom door behind her a little harder than necessary and stormed off to the throne room. She wasn't paying any attention, lost in her own thoughts once again when she walked right into a man turning the corner staring at a map in his calloused hands. Lacey fell to the ground; her smaller body no match for his thicker frame. His eyes went wide, spitting out a string of apologies," I am so so so sorry miss. I wasn't paying attention. Do forgive me."

"You should be sorry. Didn't your Mom ever teach you any manners what so ever?" Lacey huffed out as she reluctantly took his offered hand, and allowed him to help her to her feet. Her eyes roamed his face pausing on his plush lips and strong jaw before traveling farther north to his nose, and eventually settling on his soft green eyes where she admittedly got a little lost. They say the eyes are a window to the soul, and she could have swore she saw something in them though she'd deny it if you asked her.

"She did love, but I tend to forget them when I'm greeted with such a lovely face." He flashed her a dazzling grin, trying to play the mistake off smoothly.

Lacey scoffed, rolling her eyes at his attempt of flirting," Who are you?" She questioned him flatly, and she could have sworn she saw him slump in defeat at being shot down so quickly.

"Mason, I'm lost trying to find the throne room for a meeting with the King."He tucked the map into his back pocket, hoping it didn't crease too terribly. Obviously this girl wasn't in the mood for conversation today, Mason thought to himself. He didn't understand why she was being such a bitch. They had literally just met, and he had barely spoken to her; just small talk must be a Halthornian thing.

"What a coincidence I am on my way to the throne room as well. You may escort me so as to prevent you wandering aimlessly around my palace and causing even more of a disturbance than you already have." Lacey forced a half assed fake smile at him holding out her arm for him to take.

Mason blinked rapidly, coughing with surprise at the woman's words, and actions. He could only stare at her utterly dumbfounded in the whole situation. How could anyone actually act like this to another human being, let alone one that you didn't even know? He wanted to speak up, normally he would. Mason wasn't one to let anyone get away with walking over another, but he was running late and she did know the way. With a heavy sigh he bit his tongue and took her arm allowing her to lead him toward the throne room. Hopefully, he thought to himself, this would be the only time he would have to see her.

The throne room was as grand as it sounded, with gold encrusted 20 foot ceilings with glass panes inserted every few blocks to let in plenty of natural light. The entire east side was also floor to ceiling windows, because once again natural light. The throne room had been renovated by her great grandpa around the turn of the century, because he had a thing for natural light. He believed it could cure pretty much anything. Lacey barely recalled the old man, as he had passed away when she was about 2, but she remembered him always sitting in front of a window in his large room. She didn't care much for the wall of windows as she called them, but she had to admit it did make the room seem brighter, and more open.

Neither Lacey nor Mason spoke the entire way to the throne room. It was a tad awkward, but Lacey had nothing to say to him, and Mason didn't know what to say to the rude girl on his arm. He was merely trying to keep himself focused on the task at hand. He was on a mission with his team, The Guardians, an elite group of bodyguards and agents that have served all over the world. He had been a part of the organization for a little over 5 years, having been invited to join by his good friend Leo who was also a member. Mason was jolted into awareness when Lacey came to a sudden stop right outside of a massive gold embroidered door. He glanced down at her, confusion creasing his features drawing lines across his forehead. He opened his mouth to ask her why they had stopped when the massive doors were thrown open and a guard spoke in a booming voice," Her Royal Highness, Princess Lacey of Halthorn."

Princess?

Mason's eyes went wide, she was a princess. Out of all the possible ways he could have screwed up this had to be the very worst one. He had tried to flirt with the princess, failed royally, and pissed her off all in the very same conversation. He groaned under his breath, shutting his eyes against the shame he felt stirring in his chest. Upon entering the room Mason was greeted by a bright light as the sun was angled perfectly to shine directly in the room every afternoon. He blinked rapidly as his blue eyes tried to adjust to the onslaught of warm light.

"Princess Lacey! You've made it; I was starting to worry you were going to try and skip out on yet another meeting." King Harrison smiled warmly at his daughter entering the room and breathed a sigh of relief. It had become common practice for her just not to show up sometimes when he summoned her. She was 10 minutes late, but present so he was going to consider this a win. Beside Harrison stood two other gentlemen in their mid to late 40s in stylish business suits of different shades of gray, much like Mason's own suit. They were his senior members of the Guardian's, Henry and Giles, and excellent agents. They stood in a classic military pose, legs apart and hands folded behind their backs, but bowed as Lacey entered the room. Henry cocked his head slightly at Mason, eyebrow arched as if to ask how he had ended up escorting the Princess into the meeting. Mason simply shrugged he'd have to explain himself later, but now wasn't the time.

King Harrison held out his hand for Lacey to take," Lacey I would like for you to meet Agent's Henry, Giles, and Mason although it would seem that you two are already acquainted. "

"Yes we are," Lacey stated clearly. "I found him wandering around lost in the hall, and took pity on him." She smirked over at Mason who had taken his place beside the other agents. She caught a glimpse at his glare, which she had to give him credit for. It was a decently threatening glare.

"Anyway it is time to get to the real reason I have gathered you here today, and that is to discuss the recent string of attacks that the royal family has faced in the past months." Harrison stated clearly. He turned slightly to address his daughter knowing that she probably wouldn't take the next news very well. "Lacey I have hired the Guardians to serve as our personal bodyguards until you are no longer at risk. "

"Dad!" Shock rippled through her at the news. Betrayal that was what she was feeling at the moment. Betrayal that her own father didn't trust that she could handle her own self. Betrayal that she was going to be watched 24/7 by some strange man. Her lips drew up into a thin line, and she could feel her cheeks turning amber red as her anger bubbled inside her.

"This is not up for debate Lacey. This is your life we are talking about, and I will not stand around and wait for you to be killed too. You are the sole heir to the Halthornian throne, and my daughter, and I …"He was cut off quickly by another excuse from his overzealous and always independent daughter.

"I can take care of myself Dad! I've told you this over and over, but you just won't listen to me. I've been okay this long, and our guards are more than capable of looking out for us." Lacey countered.

"Our guards are doing everything they can, but it is not enough. There will be another attack, and next time you might not be so lucky and that is not a chance I am willing to take."

"But Dad…"

"Enough Lacey!" Harrison raised his voice and hand to her. Silencing the room with the authority it carried. No one, not even Lacey dared to push him farther after he raised his voice. Harrison rarely had to come to this point, but when he did it was to end it. "Agent Mason will be your personal bodyguard. He will stay with you at all times, and protect you wherever you might decide to sneak off to at all hours of the night. Do you understand Lacey?"

"Yes Dad." Lacey replied, voice just barely loud enough to be able to be heard, but as quiet as the room was everyone heard it. "May I be excused, please?" Harrison nodded, and Lacey turned quickly not wanting to be in the room any longer with any of them. For Lacey this was the end of her freedom. The end of the person she had always been. From this day forward she was no longer just Lacey Evans, the young girl, or woman as she technically was. She was the Princess, the royal heir. She didn't belong to herself anymore. She belonged to her country, and that deeply hurt her. She had not been raised to be the future queen, and she did not want to be queen. She ran all the way to her bedroom, and locked herself inside. Crossing to her vanity she slumped in the chair, and let the tears that had been yearning to fall go. She cried for the girl she once was, and for the woman she was becoming.

"Good, now Mason..." Harrison began, beckoning the young man forward. Mason bowed as he approached the King, feeling his chest tighten with anxiety of why he was being addressed." I am entrusting you with my daughter and in doing so I trust that while being young you understand how important this job is."

"I do your Majesty. I will protect her till my dying breath." Mason replied easily. It was what was expected of the job, and had been drilled into all of them from the first day of training. He had never put too much thought into dying for a client before, though. Of course this was his first personal client. He had only worked as a group before this, and while he was excited to have the chance to prove himself capable, he was concerned with this particular client. Lacey was going to be difficult that much was clear, and from his first interaction with her he was almost hesitant to die for her.

The King had left, and Henry and Giles had spoken to Mason about his task at hand. They had also left to speak with the other 3 members of the Guardian about their respective tasks. Mason was left alone to make his way back to Lacey's room where he would be sleeping next door. He wasn't in any hurry to start his assignment, finding the very thought of spending every waking moment in her company miserable. He lowered himself onto the bottom of the stairs and rested his head in his hands. This was going to be a very trying next few months.

"She's not really all that bad once you get to know her." Came a small voice from his left. Mason lifted his head and found a young woman staring at him, hands clutching a notebook tightly to her chest. She looked rather unsettled that he was even looking at her, like she hadn't meant to actually speak to him, and she wasn't sure what to do now that she had.

"Excuse me?" Mason questioned her, not certain he understood who she was talking about, but having an idea it was Lacey.

"Lacey, I might have overhead some of the conversation from earlier. You see I'm Lacey's personal assistant, and best friend, so I'm usually never far behind her." She answered, a soft, and warm smile gracing her lips.

"You are friends with Lacey?" Mason asked her; doubtful she could be telling the truth.

"Yep, 20 years and counting."

"That's hard to believe from what little I've spoken to her."

She moved to sit next to him keeping her book close to her side." She's not always so hostile, but she's just scared right now, and she's lashing out at everyone. Normally she's a ball of life and energy, and... and…" She trailed off, not sure how much she should say about Lacey's personal life. She didn't want to cross friend boundaries." Well let's just say it's been a rough few years. You just have to find a way past her walls, and get her to open up to you. Try coming at her as a friend before a bodyguard. She's not a bad person, she's just hurt." She settled for, looking satisfied with her explanation.

Mason thought about her words, perhaps he was judging her too quickly. He had seen something in her that's for sure. He glanced back at the girl beside him with a thankful smile," What's your name?"

"Harper."

"Well thank you Harper, for pulling me out of that. Normally I'm not so negative."

"Don't worry about it. I've found this place can bring out the worst in people sometimes, so you have to work extra hard to keep your morals." Harper said easily like it was just that simple.

Mason nodded before pushing himself up off the stairs. He offered a hand for Harper to take, which she did," I better get going, but I do hope to see you again Harper. You are a breath of fresh air around here from what I can tell."

"I'm sure you will, I am Lacey's right hand after all." Harper said proudly, doing a little dance as she walked on to her meeting she had planned with the event coordinator.

Mason waved as she left, and then was alone again with his thoughts. He had a decision to make, and while he didn't know it now it was going to be the most important decision of his life. To give Lacey a second chance or not? He glanced up the stairs to where her and his bedrooms were, and made his choice. Tomorrow he would start fresh. Tomorrow he would make the best of this situation. Tomorrow he would meet the Lacey Harper spoke so highly about.