Umi was in the town with the princess. Honoka wanted to view some of the daily activities her subjects. She wanted to see the people that work hard in the kingdom. Umi didn't really feel comfortable going downtown for two reasons. The first reason is that she doesn't do well with crowds and the second reason is because she's still doubting herself as a bodyguard after the dragon incident. Princess Honoka's ankle broke and that left a huge weight of guilt on her shoulders.

Everywhere they went the citizens greeted her with bright smiles on their faces. Umi could tell that Honoka's was really loved by everyone around the kingdom. She could also see that Honoka loved everyone just as much. Umi kept a lookout for anyone that would try to attack her. She still continued her training with the other soldiers when she was at the castle.

Umi was brought back to reality when the princess called her name.

"Umi" Honoka said

Umi looked up and saw Honoka holding two pieces of freshly bake bread. She had a bright smile on her face and she held one out towards her.

"Here" Honoka said

"Oh princess, I couldn't possible take that" Umi said

"I bought two because there's two of us. One for me and one for you" Honoka said

"Well if you insist" Umi said

Umi took the bread from Honoka and took a bite. Umi's eyes widened in shock when she bit down on the bread. Honoka saw this and smiled at her bodyguard.

"How is it?" Honoka asked

"It's delicious" Umi said

"I come here often because the bread that they make here is the best. You're the third person that I've shared this with" Honoka said

"Third? Who was the first and second?" Umi asked

"The head maid, Kotori Minami, was the first person that I've shared bread with and the second person was the captain of the guard, Eli Ayase" Honoka said

Umi was disheartened when she heard Eli's name. She still had Eli's words stuck in her head. Honoka saw that Umi looked a little sad.

"What's wrong?" Honoka asked

"It's nothing princess, don't worry" Umi said

Honoka pouted when Umi refused to tell her what was bothering her. Umi saw the princess' pout and thought that it was cute. The princess had a childish side and that made her even cuter.

"Come on, just tell me! It's obvious that something's bothering you" Honoka said

"Please let it go, princess" Umi said

Honoka pouted even more and made a little whine noise. Umi couldn't help but think about how the princess' childish qualities were so cute.

"Fine, but if you ever need someone to talk to then let me know. You're not just my bodyguard, you're my friend too and I want us to get along" Honoka said

Umi looked at her with a look of awe. Now she understood why everyone loved her so much. She tried her best to treat everyone as equals. Umi n had new respect for the princess because of her love for her people and her kingdom.

"You are a kind person princess" Umi said

"It's natural to be kind to people isn't it?" Honoka asked

"Yes, but your kindness has earned you the love and respect of your people and that is something that you should be proud of. You'll be a great queen someday" Umi said

Umi noticed that he princess had a grim look on her face after she said that she would make a great queen.

"Did I say something wrong? If I did I'm sincerely apologize. I didn't mean to offend you Princess" Umi said

"It's nothing to get upset about. It's just that I don't think I'm suited to be a queen at all" Honoka said

"Why do you say that?" Umi asked

"You saw the way I acted earlier when I was trying to make you tell me what was bothering you. I can be quite childish and someone childish like me isn't suited to rule over a kingdom" Honoka said

"Princess" Umi said

"If anything my younger sister, princess Yukiho, would be a much better ruler than me. There are times where I wished that I wasn't born into a royal family. If I was citizen then I wouldn't have to worry about the kingdom's future. I'm selfish individual" Honoka said

"That's not true, princess" Umi said

"Huh?" Honoka asked

"You're very kind and have the respect of your people in the kingdom and that proves that you would make a great queen. You make it sound like that you'll be all alone when you become queen. You'll have people to help with your royal duties when you really need it. You won't be alone, you'll have others to help you in your time of need" Umi said

Honoka looked at her bodyguard with shocked eyes. She never expected her own bodyguard would the one giving her a lecture. Umi noticed that the way the princess was looking at her and she just realized that she just gave the princess a lecture when she had no right to. She blushed and bowed repeatedly as she apologized for her rudeness.

"I'm so sorry! I was so caught up in the moment that I forgot about your position as the princess! Feel free to punish me in any way you like! I'm not afraid to face them!" Umi said

Umi heard the princess starting to giggle and that made her assume the worst because she thought that the princess was really going to punish her.

[INSIDE UMI'S HEAD]

Honoka had Umi tied down on bed and she was only in her underwear. She was looking at the princess with tears in her eyes. She was afraid of the princess because she saw that this was her true personality. The princess was wearing a dominetrix outfit and she was holding a whip in her hand. She gave Umi a sinister smile.

"Are you ready for your punishment, Umi?" Honoka asked

"Y-yes, princess" Umi said

The princess also had some devil horns and a devil tail that proved that kindness that she showed her was fake. Honoka walked towards the bed and raised the whip. Umi was waiting for her punishment to begin.

[BACK TO REALITY]

"Umi?" Honoka asked

Umi was brought out of her imagination and was back in the real world. Umi shook her head for thinking that the princess was giving her a strange look.

"I'm not gonna punish you Umi. I just didn't think that I was gonna receive a lecture from my own bodyguard" Honoka said

Umi's imagination almost surfaced again but she listened to the princess.

"Thank you Umi, those thoughts were in my head for quite a while. Thank you for making feel at ease" Honoka said

"Y-your welcome" Umi said

Umi then sensed an attack coming she was able to see that several knives were flying towards the princess. Umi took out her sword and deflected all of them. The princess was shocked that she was targeted. Umi looked around and saw a shadowy figure escape but she couldn't go after whoever it was because that would leave the princess unguarded.

"Princess, we need to return to the castle" Umi said

"O-ok" Honoka said

Umi could tell that Honoka was shaken up because of the sudden attack. It was obvious that she was never targeted to be killed before. Umi lead her back to castle safely.