Chapter 144

I stood up as I saw that this competition was far from over and round two was about to begin. I smiled at them. "You guys seem to be getting along, so have fun. I'm going to go in and take care of some tasks in the house. I have a busy day tomorrow."

"Of course. You'll be busy with attendee work, so it's best that you rest," Ravis said, looking like he also wanted to leave.

Dylan sheathed his sword. "If you're leaving, then I'll follow. As your bodyguard, I can't be separated from you for even for a moment."

Eris, after hearing this, clenched her teeth in anger and threw away her broken sword. "I'm following too."

"You don't have to. Either of you," I said. My ears hurt from their bickering.

"Your attitude is your problem, not your skill," Dylan told Eris.

"I care more about Iona's safety than anyone here, so there certainly isn't a problem," Eris retorted.

My patience ran out, as they argued with each other. They were acting like children. I didn't care if they were my bodyguards, I needed to say something. "Both of you leave my house if you're going to keep fighting!"

They turned to face me, their mouths wide with shock. As I was usually a calm person, they had never witnessed me get truly angry. But the explosion of my words finally silenced them.

***

The next afternoon, I reentered the palace as I had promised Ridrian. This time not as a doll, but as an official attendee of the emperor. I felt amazed walking into the palace in formal dress, rather than in everyday clothing.

As I tried to enter the front gate, I was stopped by a servant who looked troubled. I was confused what the issue was, until his eyes shifted to the figures following me.

"I'm sorry, My Lady, but your servants have to disarm before going into the palace," the servant said.

"I am Dylan Lyn Fortis of Terrace Theres. I have been ordered by the emperor to guard Lady Lesprey, so I have no obligation to follow the palace's rule."

"I also received orders from the emperor to guard Viscount Lesprey, so I also cannot disarm."

They looked at each other in disgust. I sighed at the sight of their attitudes. I felt like I was developing a headache, having to keep these two around me.

"I'll inform His Majesty that you tried to do your duty. Can you lead us to him?"

The servant looked at me, then the two guards, then Ravis and gave up. He turned to lead us, knowing that there was no way the guards would disarm.

"The emperor is here," the servant informed us, stopping in front of his office.

Hearing our voices, the door to the office flew open. "Iona!" Ridrian shouted.

I took a step back in surprise. Ridrian was smiling with joy. I closed my eyes for a moment, as his features washed over me. I tried to control my breathing, as I became overwhelmed. Was it because I hadn't seen him for two days?

"Ivant's..." I started to give the formal greeting.

"Don't bother," Ridrian stopped me. "Come in!" He glanced at the three people that followed me into the office, like they were attached by a rope.

The office was in complete chaos. There was a mountain of documents covering his desk. Servants were running around, discussing various business issues. The workers stopped for a few seconds to observe the newcomers, then returned to their work.

All I could think of was I was about to immerse myself in this chaos as well. I took a deep breath, realizing the disaster I had brought upon myself. But I felt happy that I would have something new to do.

"This is the office. You come here each time, and I will give you the tasks for the day." Ridrian smiled. "How do you like the mansion, by the way?"

"It's too much! Why did you get me such big mansion? Also, who made the entire interior gold? People think that you brought the palace and planted it there!"

I realized that this was not the best place for my outburst, as the attendees looked at me and whispered to each other. Ridrian, however, kept calm.

"I understand how you feel." Ridrian turned to Raven. "Sounds like the workers followed their orders properly. Please give them each another gold coin."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Raven bowed his head.

Ridrian hadn't heard a word I said. Instead, he simply went on as if I had been fine with everything.

***

"This is the least the royals can do after wrongfully destroying the Lesprey family. Also, you haven't been paid a dime since you worked. Just think of it as compensation for that."

"Work?" He considered my acting as his doll as work?

"It seemed like you liked the palace. I felt the mansion should hold the same comfort, since you'll be living there."

"The attendees are taking good care of me," I informed him

"That's good. You need to work hard here, from now on. Therefore, you need good people taking care of your mansion."

I flinched. It felt like he was planning to keep me here through the excuse of work. He wants it to seem as if nothing had changed.

Ridrian continued. "We're going to be invading Lucretia soon. Also, we'll be busy cleaning up the Marquis Shamalon case. Raven, show her the ropes."

"Since it's your first day, I'll instruct you on the simple tasks. Come this way." Raven led me to an empty desk in the back corner of the office. There were writing utensils and a pad of paper for me to use. I never thought that I'd be doing anything other than being a doll, but now I was working as an official attendee to the emperor.

Ravis turned to Ridrian. "As I have now escorted the Viscount Lesprey here safely, I'll take my leave to catch up on my work. Your Majesty," Ravis bowed. When Ridrian didn't take his eyes off the document he was studying, Ravis gave an irritated sigh and quietly left.

Dylan and Eris took a position behind me. There were no other guards in the room but as the emperor didn't say anything about them standing behind me, the other attendees also didn't question it. I still felt strange to have Eris here as a bodyguard when the man she was supposed to start a relationship with was standing right in front of her.

.