I looked down at the broken mirror but quickly kicked it away without a second thought. I ran over to the man's side smiling happily, "Mister! You came!"

The ragged man paused for a moment before looking down in embarrassment.

My mother glared at me, "Girl! What are you doing barging in here?! Where are your manners?!"

I ignored her and looked at him thoroughly. He was still skin and bones, but at least he didn't look like he would die at any second.

I smiled at him, "You look much better. Did the medicine help?"

He tapped his fingers together a bit embarrassed, "Yes... It helped."

I tried not to laugh, but this man certainly didn't act the way you would think by looking at him. He was exceptionally tall and you could tell he was once very muscular. Even though he was a bit skinny due to starvation, he still looked like he could snap someone in half. Yet, he was afraid to meet my eyes and spoke in such a quiet voice.

My father spoke worried, "Baby girl! Don't get too close to this man. You don't know what he's capable of."

I looked over to him, "Of course I do. I also know that this man wouldn't hurt me. He's the one that saved me from that scary man."

My father looked a bit shocked, "This man really did save you? Are you sure?"

I nodded and began to speak animatedly, "Oh yeah! I was being chased and ran into a dead end alley. Daddy, it should have been the end for me. I was crying and making peace with god when he dropped out of the sky."

I threw my hands out acting out a fighting scene, "They were fighting and throwing fists so aggressively! I hid afraid of who would win the battle. Yet, I couldn't look away from this man's valor! It was truly magnificent. No matter how much he was hurt, he still fought with all his strength until that scary man ran away crying! It was truly a sight to behold."

The man turned up his head, "No, that's not-"

I threw him a warning glare and he closed his mouth quickly. He looked back down timidly.

My father spoke fully believing my lie, "Wow... You didn't tell us he went through such lengths... I see..."

I looked at my father with a gentle smile. I clasped my hands together and looked up dreamily, "Yes. He saved my life that night. I am forever indebted to him. I pleaded with him to find us so I can share my gratitude."

My father thought about this for a moment but looked uncomfortable. He shook his head, "I know he saved your life but we can't just employ strangers. We need to do extensive research on our potential employees to ensure there's nothing suspicious about him. But this man is nothing but suspicious. He is clearly too dangerous to have around."

I frowned at this. I spoke in a firm voice, "Daddy. This man saved my life. He had nothing to gain, but he did it anyway. Is this how you repay the man for saving your daughters life? By insulting him and judging his appearance? Perhaps you don't think I'm as precious as you say."

He shook his head quickly, "N-no! Baby girl! You really are my precious daughter! I couldn't live without you!"

"Then why would you refuse to repay this man for saving me?"

My father looked at the man nervously, "W-well... T-thats..." He shook his head finding conviction, "No, he's still suspicious."

Ugh. Why is he making this so hard.

I frowned, "Daddy. If you don't give him a job then I will hate you forever."

My father looked as if he was struck by lightning, "H-hate?!"

"Yes."

"F-forever?!?"

"Yes."

He screamed and grabbed at his hair, "NOOO! BABY GIRL!"

I crossed my arms, "So Daddy. Do you want me to hate you or will you give him a job?"

"AUUGH! ALRIGHT!" He pouted in defeat, "He can have a job here."

I smiled proudly and shook the man's arm, "There! It's all settled!!! I think you would be perfect to be my bodyguard."

My father looked startled by this, "Bodyguard?"

I glanced at him and nodded, "You have been trying to find me a suitable bodyguard for a while haven't you?"

After the incident where I snuck out and came back bruised, my father freaked out and tried to find me a bodyguard. However, he was incredibly picky.

They couldn't be handsome, they couldn't be young, they had to be married, they had to come from a respectable background, they had to have great morality, they needed to be strong, and they needed to be there every second of the day. Basically, it was impossible to find someone to meet my father's expectations.

My father was shocked to hear me say this, "How did you know I was looking for a bodyguard for you?!"

I frowned. How could I not know?! Do you realize how awful you are at hiding those things?!?

He would literally mumble under his breath all the time about finding me a suitable bodyguard!!! Even the servants were whispering about it!!!

I sighed, "Daddy, what do you think? Do you approve?"

He hung his head in defeat, "Yes... That's fine..." He looked up at the man with a ferocious look, "But if you dare allow my daughter to be hurt even slightly I will take your pitiful excuse for a life away without remorse."

The man gulped. He stood up and bowed deeply, "I would never allow any harm to ever befall her. The young miss saved my life that night and I will forever be in her debt. Every waking minute of my day will be dedicated to keeping her safe. I solemnly vow to lay my life down for her."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. I didn't think he would speak so eloquently. It was almost a bit embarrassing.

My father nodded proudly, "Then, welcome to the Kane residence. I will have someone prepare you a room nearby my daughters."

My mother was shaking from anger. She had shut her mouth the entire time, but after she heard this she could no longer be quiet. She spoke venomously, "Husband! How dare you accept this nonsense! He is clearly no good. We can't have a man of such ill repute be associated with our house!"

The man flinched, but didn't say anything.

My father glared at her, "You heard him just now. It's obvious how serious he takes this. He saved our daughter so we should repay him."

She tossed her head, "Hah? How do you know if he is serious? He could be conniving to trick us or even steal from us!"

"If he wanted money, he would have asked for it. But instead he only wants a job, a place to sleep, and food. So, I believe him."

She sneered and spoke sarcastically, "Wow! You believe him. Of course he is trustworthy since you believe him."

He spoke sharply, "Enough woman. I do not wish to talk about this any more. It's settled."

"But-"

"ENOUGH!"

She shut her mouth immediately. She knew my father would never listen to her. She crossed her arms and mumbled to herself in anger.

I smiled at the man and grabbed his arm, pulling him up from the ground. "Now that that's settled, let's go eat! You are just skin and bones."

He nodded timidly, "Yes."

As I led him out of the room smiling, he bent down to allow me to pull him along. He glanced down at me with a muddled expression.

He spoke timidly, "Why did you lie back there?"

I chuckled, "Ah, well I figured it would be hard for my father to not give you a job after hearing such a heroic tale. After all, he's a man of honor."

"B-but... Why would you go through all this for my sake? It's not like I intentionally saved your life."

I stopped and glanced around me making sure we were alone. I looked up at him and smiled maliciously, "Don't get me wrong. I didn't do this out of good will. Don't you recognize me?"

He paused for a moment and looked down. He nodded slightly, "Yes... You're the child who serves the Black Death."

Ah. I knew it.

I smiled larger, "Exactly. I realized that night that I needed more help. So I merely took advantage of the situation."

His eyes widened, "Is perhaps... Mr. Kane the Black Death?"

"Shh!" I stood on my tip toes to cover his mouth. Luckily he was still bent over so I could reach. I looked around, "Be quiet about that. He's not the Black Death. Actually, no one is."

His eyes widened in confusion. I let go of this mouth. He whispered, "What exactly do you mean?"

I sighed, "The truth is, I made it up. I wanted to be taken seriously in the red light district, so I just made up a scary villain on a whim. I didn't think it would become this big."

He still looked confused, "But what about the person who insulted your master and disappeared on the mountain pass?"

"Oh, they left during a bad storm. There's a high possibility that the carriage slipped off the side during the storm. That road is famous for landslides."

"But what about the two servants who tried to poison the Prince? They both disappeared without a trace."

I shrugged, "It's likely they skipped town. After all, they did commit attempted murder of a Prince."

"But what about that drunk man who attacked you? He too disappeared without a trace."

My eyes widened with shock.

Well, that's news to me.

I shook my head, "I didn't do anything to him. I didn't even know he was gone. I bet he decided to go terrorize another town. I mean, there were a lot of Royal Knights there that night."

He didn't believe this, "That's unlikely. I know that man. He's always been here causing trounle. Recently, he just got out of jail. It would be hard for him to leave the town without any proper documents."

Hmm. That's curious. I wonder how he disappeared.

Eh, oh well. I'm sure it's not related to me.

I waved him off, "Listen, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that I made it all up. But I need your help. I want you to do whatever I ask and accompany me to the red light district. I need you to bolster my reputation."

His face looked serious, "I don't think I can help you do something so dangerous. I made a vow to your father to protect you. I can't break that."

Ack. Why is he so serious?!

I frowned and spoke in a threatening tone, "Although I lied about the Black Death, don't believe that I'm not dangerous. I did force those two cooks to eat the poison they made to kill the Prince and his friend."

He looked at me unwavering, "Don't get me wrong, young miss. I won't tell anyone what you told me, and I will keep your secrets. However, I can't allow you to behave so recklessly in the red light district. There are very bad people there. They could target you."

I sighed realizing that he wasn't going to budge. "Well just think about it, okay?"

He nodded with certainty, "I will, but my answer will not change."

I tapped my chin as we walked to the kitchen. I'm going to have to think of something to get him to follow my every word.

I glanced at him, "By the way, what's your name Mister? I don't think I ever caught it."

He smiled, "You can call me Bertram."

____

I lay in bed that night, flipping through one of my books. Everyone had already gone to bed and not a soul was awake in the house. I heard some clattering and paused.

Who's making so much noise right now? Surely everyone was asleep.

I drapped my robe around me and walked out of my room. I used a candle to light my way as I followed the noise. I came to a room and opened the door.

Inside, Bertram was slumped on the floor, surrounded by empty alcohol bottles. He was sobbing uncontrollably and holding his face.

I frowned at this all too familiar smell. I walked over to him and bent down, "What are you crying about so late at night?"

He sniffed and wiped away his tears. He looked at me with eyes full of sadness, "Young miss... Why did you save my life? Why couldn't you let me die? You should have left me to die..."

"Why would I let you die?"

"B-because... I really am no good." He broke down once more, "Your parents were right. I am no good... Dangerous... I shouldn't be alive... I can't go a night without drinking even when I finally did get a job. I am such a screw up."

I watched him sobbing in self deprecation. I rested my head on my hand as I watched him cry.

Seriously? My parents were afraid of this crybaby? No wonder my instincts told me he was trustworthy.

I sighed after a while, "Just because you are an addict, doesn't mean you are a bad person. It's what you do that matters. When some are depressed, they turn to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. There's nothing to be ashamed of. It's not like you are acting violent and aggressive under the influence."

I frowned at the uncomfortable memory.

He sniffed, "B-but aren't you worried I could hurt you?"

I chuckled, "Hah! Worried? No offense, but how can I feel threatened by someone's who face is so swollen from crying?"

He shook his head, "B-but still. I'm still a no good alcoholic who doesn't deserve to be in your presence."

I watched him for a moment before a thought popped into my head. A malicious smile crossed my face.

"Then how about we make a bet?"