Mamoru/ Delilah

“Please call me; Delilah,” she told him.

“I think I will stick to calling you ‘Princess’,” he replied, coolly.

Mamoru was surprised but made sure not to show it, he was used to Princesses showing off their titles, making sure everyone bowed down and kept their gazes low when speaking to them, but not Delilah. He also chose not to address how she had flinched when he addressed her by her title, a smile masked her face, a smile Mamoru knew was fake.

“Then how about we come to an agreement?”

“Which is?”

“You may call me Princess in the castle, but when we’re outside then you’re going to call me Delilah,” she looked at him, expectantly.

Mamoru bit back a smile of his own, he placed his cup down on the table with a loud unintentional clatter, “Very well.”

“Good,” she grinned.

Mamoru felt out of place, he was sitting across from a Princess, sipping tea like it was a regular Wednesday evening! Delilah kept her gaze down as she sipped on her tea, her legs were crossed, her feet tucked underneath the chair, and her back straight. She was used to this, and so.

But, despite her confident posture, Mamoru couldn’t help but note that the Princess didn’t make eye contact with him, even while they were talking her smile didn’t seem genuine either, and her eyes held more emotion than she liked to show.

“So, what are the plans for today, princess,” he made sure to intentionally stress the word and a smirk made its way to his face as he watched Delilah’s mouth form a small pout.

“I performed all the necessary duties for today, however tomorrow I need to visit the village, which means we’re away from the Palace and as per our agreement you are to address me by my name, not my title,” she had a smirk of her own.

“I remember,” he grumbled, narrowing his eyes as the girl grinned, “What time are we leaving?”

“After breakfast,” she replied before getting up, Mamoru followed suit, and Delilah looked at him surprised.

“Orders, Princess. Wherever you go, I go,” he straightened his posture.

He noticed Delilah grow quiet and her eyes scanned over his frame. He knew he was taller, a lot taller than some of the men that worked around the castle- Mr Cedric for example. Perhaps she was intimidated? Although he realised from the look she was giving him she wasn’t intimidated, there was another look in her eyes that Mamoru couldn’t quite put his finger on.

“Princess?” Mamoru waved his hand in front of her face bringing her back to Earth.

“Oh right, follow me,” she mumbled, she turned around quickly but he did manage to see the red tint slowly colouring her face.

They left the dining room and proceeded to walk towards her bedroom, again being followed by his comrades, once they did Mamoru turned to face them, “Get some rest. Be back here in the morning.”

They nodded in response and bowed towards the Princess who replied with a smile and a slight bow of her head, Mamoru nodded and watched them leave, he turned on his heel and faced the Princess.

“I’ll be here,” he told her.

“All night?!” she looked surprised, Mamoru nodded not sure how to react at the moment, “I can ask someone to arrange a room for you, you’ll be more comfortable.”
Again, Mamoru had no idea how to respond to that, he wasn’t used to anyone being concerned for him, definitely not a Princess, “Uh… it’s okay I’ll manage; besides I have to be around you all the time.”

“If you have to be around me all the time then I’m sure you’ll be more comfortable on the sofa, and besides if you’re here to protect me as you say you are then I’d rather you have a good night’s sleep so you’re alert,” she smiled, Mamoru opened his mouth to say something but she raised her finger, “And that’s an order.”

🗡️/👑

The next day Delilah woke up early and was surprised to see Mamoru up and ready before her. His uniform looked as neat as it did when he wore it yesterday and she wondered if he had quickly ironed it before he put it on again that morning, but the young girl knew better than to pry.

He stayed in her room the whole night as she had instructed him to. He was a light sleeper getting up quickly every time there was a slight noise or movement, but other than that neither of them had been uncomfortable, and he must’ve gotten some sleep as he looked refreshed.

“Good morning,” she yawned, stretching her arms above her head.

“Good morning,” he replied, politely.

Delilah made her way to her en-suit and freshened up, taking a quick shower she wore a white dress with butterflies on it that reached her knees, her hair was braided and draped over her left shoulder and she wore flats.

“Shall we?” she asked.

Mamoru nodded and they soon left, although Delilah did jump slightly when she saw the same young comrades as yesterday standing in the same way they had when the two of them were in the dining room.

“Good morning,” she squeaked, her voice quiet as she placed a hand over her racing heart.

“Good morning,” the three replied, a small smile on their lips.

Delilah walked through the halls and made her way to the kitchens, after a brief breakfast and insisting the four of them have some as well, the princess and her bodyguards made their way outside.

“Where’s the carriage?” one of the soldiers asked.

“Oh, we can’t take a carriage, the path is too narrow for that instead, we’re riding there,” Delilah smiled.

“Excuse me?” Mamoru asked, his eyes wide.

Just then a beautiful white horse trotted out of the stables, he was following a young stableboy holding the reins who stopped in front of Delilah bowing a little.

“Your Highness, he’s ready,” the young lad smiled.

“Thank you, and we’ll need four more horses as well if that’s okay?”

“They’re all ready, I’ll bring them out shortly,” with another curt bow he turned on his heel and went back into the stables.

“You gentlemen do know how to ride, right?” she asked, turning to them as four more horses trotted towards them.

The three behind Mamoru shared an interesting look as they looked towards their commander who looked white as a sheet despite having a pale complexion.

“Mr Himeji, you do know how to ride, right?” she repeated.

“O-of course,” he looked away, turning a slight pink colour.

“Great, then this should be no problem,” she smiled.

Placing her left foot in the stirrup, she hoisted herself with ease and sat sideways on the horse. The horse took a few steps forward as Delilah steered him around so she was facing her bodyguards again.

“Don’t be afraid, they’re friendly,” she smiled.

The three subordinates slowly walked towards the horses and within a few minutes had mounted them as well. Mamoru on the other hand, looked as if he was struggling, it was as if he was afraid of the horse.

“Sit behind me,” Delilah suggested.

She watched as the young man contemplated for a few seconds before finally obeying, he placed his left foot on the stirrup just like she did and swung his right leg over.

“Are we ready, gentlemen?” she asked.

A round of cheers erupted from them causing Delilah to let out a giggle, she hadn’t had this much fun in ages. Clicking her tongue, she urged the horse to walk ahead, she felt something slip around her waist and looked down to see Mamoru’s hands.

“My apologies,” he quickly retracted his hands taking the slight warmth with him.

Delilah was surprised, she never felt any comfort in another man’s touch, her Father and older brother; Dominik, had been an exception, providing the young girl with nothing more than love and protection. However, she noticed that when Mamoru touched her, she didn’t feel uncomfortable; in fact, she felt… something else she couldn’t quite pinpoint.

“You can hold on to me to steady yourself, I’m going to pick up the pace a little,” she warned him.

Delilah had to quickly get this meeting over and done with, it was the first time she was visiting the village since her brother’s disappearance and she knew how they felt about having a woman rule them. The quicker she faced them and answered the necessary questions, the quicker she would be able to breathe in peace.

A slight smile made its way to her lips when she felt his fingers slip around her waist the warmth, he brought her slowly returned. With a slight flick of her wrist, the horse started galloping faster, and the other four horses followed closely behind, a series of gasps and yelps were heard from the three guards behind them, they were not fully prepared for the sudden increase in speed, making Delilah feel a little guilty.

They came to a halt a few minutes later when they saw a small village up ahead, again they kept a steady pace and Delilah could feel her heart hammering against her ribcage, she was nervous, to say the least.

Soon one by one everyone stopped what they were doing and started bowing/ curtsying, Delilah jumped down from her horse followed by Mamoru and the other three. She held the reigns and led the horse through the village with her head high, she greeted everyone with a small nod and smile, “Princess,” she heard, and looked to her right, stopping in front of the elder gentleman.

“Mr Charlston, good to see you,” her voice had a slight quiver.

“Likewise, my lady,” he replied, his head may have been bowed but his jaw was set in what could only be frustration.

“I heard there was something you would wish to discuss?” she asked.

“Indeed, please follow me,” he told her before turning around and walking ahead, Delilah made sure to keep up staying a step behind him.

They stopped in front of the town hall where she tied the reigns of the horse to a post before she entered and continued to follow him until they reached a room, most likely his study, “Please sit,” he gestured towards the chairs.

She sat down and noticed Mamoru was standing directly behind her, the other three nowhere in sight, most likely waiting outside.

“Right, Mr Charlston, why have we held this meeting?”

“The villagers are worried, my lady,” he sighs, “We’ve never had a female monarch before and think it’s best if you…”

“Yes?” Mamoru asked, Delilah looked back slightly and saw his eyes were cold, colder than usual.

“You should marry the King of Tarynsville,” he replied, Delilah turned quickly to look at him again.

“Are you mad?” Mamoru’s outburst made even Delilah flinch, she placed a hand on his which was resting on the back of the chair, and gave him a pleading look before turning her gaze back on the village head.

“Henry, I apologise but I am not getting married to the King of Tarynsville. I understand your concerns, you want what’s best for the village, but I want what’s best for the whole kingdom,” she sighed and stood up, “This meeting is over.”

Henry followed suit and followed her to the door, but Mamoru stood in between causing the much shorter man to cower back, “You heard the Princess, the meeting’s over.”

The ride back to the palace was rough and Delilah couldn’t stop shaking in anger, she understood that everyone was worried about what was going to happen, but no matter what somewhere in her heart she believed she would be a good ruler, she had seen her Father and everything he did for everyone and she believed that she would be able to do the same, if not then more.

“Princess… Delilah…” she heard.

“Hm, yes?” she asked.

“We’re back,” Mamoru informed her, Delilah jumped down and a stableboy came to take the horse away.

Delilah decided that no matter what happened she was going to prove everyone wrong and become the greatest Queen, Genevia had ever seen.