Sweetie, the Royal Pup of Barkingburg, trotted down the grand staircase as night fell upon the kingdom. "Setanta? It's bedtime. The Princess says you can take the night off. The crown is plenty safe with the security measures in place."

Setanta, a blind Irish Wolfhound, and the official Royal Guard Dog shook his head. "You can never have too many safety measures, Sweetie. It's the Royal Guard Dog's duty to keep the crown safe." He let out a big yawn. "No matter how tired I am."

"Oh, you poor brave Guard…" Sweetie nuzzled up to the larger pup. "You obviously need your rest, big guy. The crown will still be here in the morning."

Setanta turned his head, raising his ear towards the low hum of the laser grid that protected the crown. "What if it isn't?"

"Then we'll call the PAW Patrol and you and them can find the culprit," Sweetie put a paw on Setanta's, noticing how small she seemed to him. "You're obviously big and strong enough to do that. But you still need proper rest."

"What about you? Shouldn't the Royal Pup get her beauty sleep?" Setanta asked.

Sweetie giggled. "Well, being this adorable does take a fair amount of beauty sleep," she nuzzled against Setanta's leg again. "But so does being a good guard. And you're a great guard, so think of how much beauty sleep you need."

"… I am getting a bit tired," Setanta admitted. He began to droop, but then snapped back to attention. "No. Gotta stay up."

Sweetie frowned. "'Tan, running yourself ragged isn't going to keep the crown safe. C'mon, you need rest."

"No, Sweetie. I need to protect the crown. I need to show the Princess I'm the right pup for this job!" Setanta insisted.

Sweetie raised an eyebrow. "Setanta, no one says you aren't. Ever since the Earl brought you here, he's gone on and on about how great a job you've been doing."

Setanta sighed and flopped to the ground. "Of course he'd say that. When he found me, it was because he'd accidentally dropped his wallet while shopping with the Princess. When he realized it was missing and went searching for it, he found me, a ragged, blind street pup standing guard over it."

"Wow… you stood guard over a wallet until the owner came for it? Weren't you tempted? With the Earl's money, you could live like a king!" Sweetie exclaimed.

"Sweetie…" Setanta warned.

Sweetie blushed. "Sorry. Old habits. But still, you did a very good deed and now you're here," she cuddled against him. "With me."

"And that's why I need to keep guard. To earn my place."

"Silly boy. You already have." Acting on impulse, Sweetie gently licked Setanta's cheek. Setanta turned his head towards her, his cloudy eyes practically shining.

Sweetie clapped her paws over her mouth, blushing, not that Setanta could see. "Setanta, forgive me! I didn't mean to…"

Setanta sighed and rested his head on his front paws. "No, of course, you didn't. You're the Royal Pup."

Sweetie shook her head. Of all the bone-headed things to say…

Setanta yawned again. "Maybe… I should turn in for the night. And if someone does try to steal the crown, I'll know."

Sweetie frowned. This wasn't how she wanted the night to turn out. But it was clear that Setanta didn't want to talk anymore tonight. She got to her paws. "I guess I'll bid you goodnight then." She walked up the grand staircase, chastising herself.

She was so close…