My Idiotic Protector – Part 3
By: Ghostwriter
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'I will have no such thing!' Serena cried indignantly. 'I will not have…'
'You have no choice, young lady,' his grace roared at her. 'He will be with you at all times. What's more, I give him authority to put you across his lap and spank you if you're disobedient. God knows that I should have done that long ago, but no, I was too softhearted, believing that little girls are to be pampered. No more of this nonsense, you hear me?! You'll behave or else he'll spank you, since I don't have the heart to do it.'
Serena looked at Darien's tall frame in horror, her gaze trailing down to the large hands by his sides. She could feel the horror, seeping into her at the thought of being spanked across the bottom like a child of four by him. Ouch – it had to hurt. But she believes she'll die of humiliation before pain if he ever dared hit her.
'Your grace,' Darien began in an amused tone. 'I don't think…'
'No, you don't need to think,' Lord Stradtfield said curtly, calming down a little. 'All I need you to do is to teach her to behave.'
'Papa!' Serena cried out in shock. 'How can you entrust me to this – man?'
'This man happens to be your savior. You should be thankful that you weren't harmed during you little adventure,' the duke's temper was ignited at the reminder of her recklessness.
'But!'
'No more buts,' Lord Stradfield shouted. 'YOU'RE GROUNDED!'
'I was always grounded!' Serena retorted heatedly. With that, she picked up her skirts and walked out of the room as if she was a queen. So much pride, Darien thought with a chuckle.
The duke rang the bell and a stately butler with an expressionless face walked in. 'Mathison, show Shields around the grounds,' the duke ordered.
'Shields,' the duke snapped. Darien turned his attention towards the duke. He was his master now. 'Go see that my daughter stays within the grounds after you've learnt your way. And for God sakes don't lose your way around!'
'Yes, you grace.' With a courtly bow, he turned and walked out of the room.
Where did he learn that? The duke thought in quiet amazement. The bow he delivered was perfect, just low enough to show his respect, but not that low to seem humble. Of course, as a mercenary, he must have practiced bowing quite often, the duke thought and dismissed the subject.
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Darien understood now what the duke meant by not getting lost around the estate. Moonhaven is vast, filled with well kept lawns, beautiful gardens and magnificent arbors. Darien followed Mathison as he went around the place, giving short explanations about the place, the historical value and such. They came to a stop in front of a small white gate.
'This is one of our rose gardens, but no one, save Miss Serena is allowed in.'
Darien looked hard at the gate, expecting to see through it. 'Why is that so?'
'We don't know, but after Miss Serena forbade all the gardeners to go in, even to rake the leaves away. She takes care of the whole section, all by herself,' Mathison said, tinge with pride.
'I'm sure she doesn't want anyone to go in there because everything is in a mess,' Darien said snidely.
'You will not talk about Miss Serena that way. Remember, you're in his grace's service now, and you must pay respect to Miss Serena,' Mathison bustled angrily.
Darien lifted an eyebrow cockily at him. Throughout their tour, Mathison was always distant, aloof just like all this servants of the rich and powerful. But to hear him speak with such feeling really shows that he adores his young mistress very much.
Mathison seemed to have regained his composure and continued to lead him around. Darien mentally plotted Moonhaven and its surrounding terrain. A habit he acquired as a mercenary. You may never know when you need to flee.
Moonhaven was really a lofty castle, bestowed to the Stradtfields by Elizabeth the first. Through out the centuries, the Stradtfields have added two wings and several green houses.
He lifted his head towards the balcony which supposedly led to Serena's chambers. He could have sworn he just saw the golden haired angel peek out from the drapes.
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Serena quickly closed the drapes just as Darien looked up. Damn him, if it weren't for him, she wouldn't be under house arrest now!
A more sensible and detached part of her spoke, if it weren't for him, you might have been violated and held ransom by now.
As usual, Serena refused to listen to that part of her. She flung herself onto her soft bed and began to think of ways to make that dreaded man leave. A mischievous lit her face as she planned to put her plan into action that evening.
'Until then, I need to rest to carry my plan out,' Serena muttered decidedly to herself. She undressed herself quickly and slid in between the cool sheets and soon sailed into dreams where more evil plans take shape.
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Serena could feel fury building within her already. It was supper and she herself did not have a single bite of food since morning. Somehow, she had forgotten about hunger after being drugged, rescued, scolded and finally imposed with a guardian. For Mercy sakes, she's eighteen!
And worst of all, Darien the big Meanie is being treated as a second son at the table. He was sitting next to her.
'Do have more salad, Darien,' Lady Stradtfield flashed him the sunniest smile.
Lord Stradtfield snorted. 'If you carry on like this, he won't have enough energy to run after this wild hoyden anymore,' he said as he glared at Serena. Serena shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
'Nonsense, food can only gives a man more strength,' his wife declared.
'He'll be to fat,' Lord Stradtfield replied unanimously.
Serena burst out laughing as the image of Darien, bulging with fat came into her mind. Somehow, she decided the meanie won't grow fat. Her laughter subsided as her father shot her a reprimanding look.
'Excellent fare, your grace,' Darien smiled as he raised his glass of sherry to Lady Stradtfield.
'Which is more than you deserve,' Serena muttered. No one save Darien heard her but he only chucked inwardly at her rebellious nature.
'Oh, that was nothing,' her grace replied modestly.
'If you all will excuse me, I think I'll go to bed early,' Serena said, rising stiffly from her chair. She wasn't going to stay and watch her mother flirt with this man. 'I've had the most tiring day.'
'I reckon that's true,' Darien said lazily. Serena glared at him. She could not understand why her parents were putting up with this insolence from a mercenary.
'Good night,' Serena bid them all, 'and may you sir, have the most horrible dreams,' she hissed at the dark haired man.
Darien smiled good-naturedly as she picked up her skirts and swept out of the room. Don't count on it, meatball head, he thought. I don't plan to sleep tonight.
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Serena crept stealthily into the balcony, careful lest anyone should see her. Her hair was braided and knotted into a tight bun. Dressed in another pair of breeches and shirt, she threw a length of rope down and knotted it tightly to the banister.
'I'm not going to let that wretched man follow me day after day. Papa will fire him when he discovers that I'm gone. Maybe he'll even kill him,' Serena muttered gleefully as she began her dangerous descent.
She was twelve feet above the ground when she felt the rope loosen. Serena began to sweat nervously, unable to move, fearing that the rope might give way.
The knot on the banister gave way and Serena clutched on to the rope as she plummeted downwards.
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Disclaimer: No, I don't own the Sailor Moon.
Hi!
Sorry for the long delay. I really am. I was so busy updating Pride and Prejudice; I sort of forgot to update this one. I'm really sorry…sorry…
But don't forget to review me and mail me. If it weren't because of the threat that I might get stuck with Rini, I most probably would have slacked even more. So, please, review and mail…
Ghostwriter…