MY BELOVED KNIGHT'S
PREFER YOU OVER ANYTHING
"Daughter...." A short answer sounded from Ernest who did not know what to answer.
"I couldn't have chosen to live in your apartment. I'm sorry, Ernest, but I'm really scared...." Tira said while hooking her fingers together with each other, the fingers that were seen moving around here and there in an unsettled manner.
Ernest's eyes, which saw how as Tira's fingers moved, could confirm that the lentic fingers must have felt cold if he had touched them now.
"Is it possible, I need to ask the others to also stand guard in this place Princess?" Ernest is trying to find the best middle ground.
If only he alone was guarding Tira, it would definitely be a problem if until the Tira family found out he was only alone with Tira, whereas they did not have any relationship for now.
And in a royal system of absolute monarchy as in the Gracetian, the rules in the relations of men and women, let alone with much different statuses, are very strict. Moreover, Gracetian is a working country in Europe that still follows the way of life in 1900, where the relationship between men and women is very strongly maintained in accordance with old traditions.
It would be different if the three bodyguards were all in Tira's apartment and guarding her simultaneously, but at this time, Tira did not want to be with the others except Ernest.
"I'm not used to living with strangers, let alone men...." Tira's words almost made Ernest's heart jump out and his lips smiled widely.
Unaccustomed to living with others whom he thought were strangers, but Tira asked him to stay with her tonight, making Ernest have to refrain from jumping for joy at those words, because Tira unknowingly thinks Ernest is not a stranger, and although a man, Tira feels safe being near Ernest.
"But Princess it seems. it will make others feel strange. Do I need to find a female housekeeper who can accompany the Princess?" With mixed feelings, Ernest tried to give understanding to Tira, because to be honest, he could not casually agree to Tira's request.
"Does it have to be like that? Although both women, I also felt uncomfortable living with the woman I just met." Tira said while recalling how even from the beginning, she never let anyone live with her in the apartment, except for her parents and Anna.
"Then the Princess...."
"Ah... do you feel that I am so troublesome to you Ernest? Don't you like being my bodyguard?" Tira's words that cut through Ernest's words, instantly made Ernest speechless, and his heart was troubled.
On the one hand he knew for sure his position as a knight that was much different from Tira's daughter, making him have to be so careful in acting and behaving, and also not to be too close to Tira, because it would be considered impolite and impudent.
But on the other hand, with a long enough love, all of Tira's words, and also Tira's current condition, made Ernest so want to be close to the girl, and protect it well all the time.
When he was with me, he seemed to keep his distance. He doesn't seem to want to be around me. Is Ernest.... really not the slightest taste to me? Is my love really just clapping one hand? Today I want him to be with me, because for me, only he can make me feel calm and secure. Feel so protected....
Tira said inwardly, with a heart that felt troubled and slightly hurt at the thought of how his love that only clapped one hand towards Ernest, who he increasingly admired.
With all that Ernest had done for her, as well as Ernest's attitude and actions after they were close together, Tira increasingly fell in love with the kind and charming handsome man.
"Well Princess, I will accompany the Princess tonight." In the end, Ernest's logic was completely outmatched by his love for Tira, thus making him take decisions that he knew he shouldn't have taken.
Ernest knew, he would definitely be depleted and be in deep trouble if his reckless decision today were known to Erich, let alone the Tira family, who would definitely protest loudly his actions, even if he did, dare to decide to be alone with Tira in Tira's apartment all night.
Even an Alvero who was so close to him, Ernest realized, Alvero would also definitely scold him if he heard how he planned to be on one roof with Tira until the night, too, although the reason is to make sure Tira is in safe condition.
But seeing how frightened Tira looked, for Ernest who loved her so much, how could he refuse the request of the girl he loved.
"really?"
"really. As long as the Princess wants it, I will be in this place to accompany the Princess." Even without her being able to control it, Ernest began to say sweet words that showed his sincerity to Tira.
"Thank you Ernest...." Tira said as he looked at Ernest with a relieved smile on his face.
If you smile so sweetly, who can refuse your request Princess?
Ernest said in his heart while holding his breath, between regret and no regret for his decision to grant Tira's request, two conflicting things, were alternately filling Ernest's brain.
"Then I will tell others about this...."
And hopefully they can understand and not think strangely about this.
Ernest continued his words inwardly, so that Tira would not see how exactly his decision could bring bad judgment to her.
"Ernest...." Not to mention Ernest stepping away, Tira's hand quickly grabbed Ernest's hand, making Ernest's body again jerk in shock like an electric shock.
Ernest could feel the coldness of Ernest's hand, and it also felt trembling, making Ernest even more certain, Tira was in a state of fear, and, and it made a sense of regret in his heart because it was presumptuous to fulfill Tira's desire so lost.
"Sorry. but don't go too long. I'm scared…." With a voice so soft and hesitant Tira said while releasing his hand that had grabbed Ernest's hand, feeling shocked by himself who had been so brave to reach the hand without the owner's permission, he said, who had to painstakingly endure the turmoil in his chest due to Tira's electric hand grip, flowing all over his body and making his muscles stiffen.
"I'll be right back. Don't worry Princess, I will take care of Princess with all my abilities." Ernest said softly and tried to hold back his voice from stammering due to the nervousness he was currently in, while slightly bowing his body in a respectful manner, before walking towards the door, where Tira continued to look at him without blinking a bit, until Ernest's figure disappeared behind the door of his room.