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was goddamn beautiful. She was so perfect that I could hardly believe she was a real person and not a goddess standing right before me. Her blonde hair was styled in a way that showcased both grace and elegance. The sparkly silver dress that she was wearing matched the beautiful crown on top of her head. Her blue Christoulakis eyes regarded me with an icy stare that didn't help my already nervous self.

Pete, Joseph, and Brad bowed and I followed suit. Never in my life, I've seen her in person. Rumor has it that she always stayed in the palace, surrounded by her many Palace guards, and only left the Palace if need be. However, with our race spread all over the world with Court as the center and the enhanced technology, she didn't need to get out as much. She could basically wave her hand to make people do stuff for her.

"Lady Stavros," the Queen greeted me with a smile. I still haven't used to the nickname, and probably wouldn't, but having someone like her, someone who was on top of the food chain, calling me a Lady was overwhelming. I almost thought she might call someone else except that I was the only Stavros alive so that wouldn't be possible.

I bowed again. "Your majesty," I tried to keep my voice sounding pleasant and left no indication that I was super nervous inside.

"As you may know, you're the last Stavros alive which is why these special guards were guarding you throughout your life," she stated the obvious but I kept my mouth shut as I listened to her further. "So many Stavros had died for a meaningless cause." There was sadness in her eyes and I wondered if there was a Stavros that she knew that had died during the massacre. The Queen closed her eyes briefly and continued, "Ruling a country wasn't easy, let alone a race who spread all over the world regardless borders of each country. I could not protect anyone and I still blame myself for my lack of ability to do so." I honestly didn't blame her, Stavros lived in almost every country on earth it was hard to keep track of each one of them regardless of their small amount compared to Royal since Pure Royal always had a little number of family members. We were the descendants of the three most powerful Greek gods after all.

"Keeping you alive is my utmost priority. And since there was no safer place than the palace, I'm inviting you to live here."

Four pairs of eyes were looking at me expectantly but I was busy picking up my jaw from the floor.

Living in the palace?! What the shit biscuit!

Fully aware that this was The Queen who invited me and I could cuss her, I tried to sound very grateful with the offer as I said, "I'd be honored, Your Highness," Here comes the backpedal. "However, am I still allowed to go outside the palace?"

The Queen smiled as if she knew what I was on about. "Yes. But only as far as the Court gate."

Well, that's better. I'm not sure I can go around acting like an obedient kid twenty-four seven. "That's very kind of you, Your Majesty. As I love being in Court and walking down the Folk Street." I smiled innocently though inside I couldn't wait for this so-called discussion to finish.

"Of course, there's so much that Court could offer. However, you will not go around alone."

I was damn confused. "Pardon?"

"You've gotten yourself shot and it happened inside the protective wall of this Court," she shifted her icy gaze on Pete, making him grimace in disgrace. Though it wasn't his fault that Joseph and Brad decided to go to Zeus knows where leaving me guard-less. "I will not take any chance for this unfortunate incident to happen again. You'll be guarded with these two," she pointedly look at Joseph and Brad. "As their punishment for their misbehavior that caused the incident."

"I will protect her with my own life, Your Majesty," I heard Brad say those words with a voice that filled with determination. Shifting my gaze to look at him, I could see that he truly meant every word. I lowered my gaze and saw his hand patting his left rib lightly. Instantly I knew why, just like me, he had gotten himself shot and his injury was probably worse than mine. I may have been unconscious for three days but it was due to blood loss not because my organ was torn like his. I'd cornered Dr. Grey when Vlad had gone to the bathroom, and until now I still remembered what he'd said. The bullet went through his rib cage and tore several parts of his inner organ though it missed his vitals. He's not in a good shape to serve his duty but they still put him regardless of my request.

Before I could stop myself, I blurted what was on my mind. "You're not healed yet. You can't guard me." Brad shot me a hurt look but there was nothing I could do, it was for his own good. His injury needed time to heal and getting back to his job wouldn't be good for it. "And Joseph couldn't guard me either. He wasn't even there guarding me when the incident happened." I knew I didn't blame them both for what happened as this was just a way to get bodyguards off my tail but looking at their eyes, I felt bad for using them as an excuse.

Queen Rhea furrowed her brows, deep in thought before she came up with a solution. "Would you prefer to be guarded by Hawke and Sera? You know them and they always did their job excellently."

No fucking way! With Brad and Joseph, I could still order them around, making them follow me anywhere I wanted. But with Hawke and Sera aka my fake parents, they'd be the ones ordering me and I'd most definitely be locked up at home. "No, I'll take Brad and Joseph." Any time any day, they're far better companies!

"If you said so. However, listening to you I would say I agree that these two might not be enough. Therefore I'd like to put one more person to guard you." She gave a signal to the palace guards and they opened the door, revealing a girl with blonde hair with rather similar facial features as The Queen herself. Who's that?

The Queen answered my inner thought, "This is your additional guard, Scarlet Christoulakis. My daughter." DAUGHTER?! No fucking way!! Firstly, The Queen was too young to have a teenage daughter who I thought was her sister. Secondly, WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?! At first, it was Pete putting his brother in, and now even The Queen herself?? Thirdly, I didn't know how the fuck a Pure royal can become a guard. I thought most guards are regulars because there are so many regulars that it doesn't matter if we put them on the front line.

Apparently, I wasn't the only one picking my jaw this time as there were at least three more jaws dropped on the floor. Pete was first to recover, "Scar, what are you doing here?" From his tone, it was clear that he knew her, and from the way he used her nickname instead of Lady Scarlet Christoulakis, it was also clear that he knew her for quite a long time that at some point, they defied the courtesy.

Smiling brilliantly, the girl who looked a little older than me said, "Why, Petey? Did you really need to ask?" She shifted her gaze to me and gave me a once-over. "Time to put my training into practice, of course."