Spend a day in the castle.

She wasn't joking. You're with her for most of the day, and through it all, she mostly reads books recreationally or to study up on politics. The closest you have to a break from her is when others are in the room as well, and you have the chance to make idle chitchat with other guards with her doing the same nearby. It's incredibly boring, but at least it's easy, and you don't feel like your life is in danger. You don't meet many others. It makes senses that during this time, she wouldn't be shown off to a lot of people from outside the castle, so you mostly meet a few other guardsman and that's about it.

Time passes. You gather together with her and her sister Queen Catherine II around a table in the banquet hall, and other than a butler bringing food and beverages on fine silver platters, it's only the three of you here. It certainly feels surreal dining with the queen. She's also garbed completely differently than you usually see her. Now she wears a deep crimson button-up with tight black pants, though her jewellery is still present.

In front of you are several utensils. You wonder what's proper to grab first. There are fruits, vegetables, meats, and more, and it smells delicious.

"How has your day been so far, sister?" asks the queen.

"Oh wonderful. Sir Warren has been very kind."

"That's good to here, though he isn't a knight officially. The princess calling him Sir may be confusing to some."

"He's a knight in my heart."

As they converse, you hope they don't notice your lack of proper etiquette with such fancy, expensive eating tools. The food tastes great, however.

"How has the search been?" you ask.

"I do not wish to speak of such things now," she replies. "Enjoy the meal for the time being."

She's clearly hiding something. Maybe she doesn't want to scare Abigail.

After dinner, the plates are taken away. You feel stuffed. You stand and the queen makes her way over towards you.

"I must speak with Kyle Warren for a moment, sister," she says. "Please excuse us."

"Aw. All right," Abigail replies and skips off into the next room.

When she speaks, she makes sure to keep her voice down. "Tell nobody of this, but unfortunately, Dezro has been found but is no longer with us. The blood has been drained from his body. Not only that, but a bite mark was found on his neck. Certainly an adventurer such as yourself knows what this likely means. Stay with Princess Abigail no matter what. But what I said before still stands. You best not touch a single hair on her head."

Said girl peaks her head into the room. "Are you finished yet?"

"I am. As I was saying to him, do not leave his side. I have important duties to take care of now, so do as you wish for the rest of the evening. Sleep soon, dear sister, and stay inside the castle." She proceeds out of the room.

Shit. Vampires took him? That doesn't sound good for her bodyguard either. I have a bad feeling about this.

"Kyle?" Abigail tugs on your shirt.

"Oh. Sorry. I was just thinking about stuff," you reply.

"Well, Sir Warren, you heard me sister. Follow me, please. I must not leave your sight."

You let out a chuckle, trying to dissolve some of the anxiety you're starting to feel. "Of course, princess. Where to?"

"The bathroom," she says, turns, and starts to walk. "I need my bath."