...In a word, confusing.

Broderick leads you to the stables flanked by the eleven extra bodyguards, all of whom seem to be eyeing you with a little more interest than usual. They do remember you're not really a woman right?

You'd feel a little worried by those gazes if you weren't tagging along on Broderick's heels, staying close behind him. The man's presence is so comforting... you must just be feeling especially grateful about being saved, that's it.

You're not sure why a tingle shoots through your lower body whenever you catch a glimpse of his ruggedly handsome face though...

The Captain leads you to the stables where his men have already put together your traveling gear. You count the horses that the grooms have prepared, but oddly enough, there are only twelve of them set up for the road. All of them are the rugged warhorses, not the kind of mount suited for a prince (or a lady).

You turn to Broderick, asking him in an oddly meek whisper. "Sir Broderick, where is mine?"

Now that you're out of immediate danger, the gaze Broderick turns on you is unexpectedly stern. Your heart skips a beat as he stares into your eyes seriously.

You see the eleven bodyguards forming a perimeter, blocking anyone from getting close enough to listen in as he speaks.

"I've decided the original cover story I had planned gave you too much free reign, your majesty. You've proven you're a danger to yourself on two separate occasions in the short time since donning your disguise this morning."

You flush with shame, then flush deeper as Broderick takes your shoulders, leaning close to lecture you more intently.

"As such, you'll be staying just by my side for the duration of the trip. You'll be within arms reach of me or one of my men for the length of this trip. You're to obey me and each of my men in all things, understood?"

You nod meekly, feeling dazzled by the close proximity of the Captain's face. It really is far more handsome than you'd originally thought.

"You'll be sharing my mount as much as possible, though if we need to pick up our base, you'll have to rotate between myself and the others. Will this be a problem, your majesty?" The iron in his voice tells you there had better not be.

You're flushing furiously as you imagine being pressed up against Sir Broderick all day during your trip, but you nod again, your voice coming out somewhat girlish without any effort on your part. "...Yes, Sir Broderick."

He seems to relax his intensity somewhat upon seeing your obedient demeanor, but he doesn't release your shoulders as he continues briefing you.

"If anyone asks, you are a young Lady from the capital. You are free-spirited and impetuous, and have run away to this border keep in a moment of especially poor judgement. Your Lord father has requested our services in returning you to him. Your name, if asked, will be Mia. Did you get all of that?"

You nod again, still feeling dazed. You don't understand yourself; you'd normally feel a little nervous if Captain Broderick lectured you so intensely, but instead you just feel kind of fuzzy inside, and even feel a slight twinge of disappointment as he releases your shoulders.

-

All twelve horses are quickly mounted, Captain Broderick and the grooms helping you up onto the back of yours. You realize that while wearing your dress, you're stuck riding sidesaddle, your arms tightly grasping Sir Broderick from behind to keep you from falling off.

His back feels warm and incredibly wide as you press yourself against it, a warm tingle running through your body. You see a few of the bodyguard's looking at you with a disturbing amount of interest as the group rides away from the keep.

You instinctively cling to Broderick tighter, his presence seeming to dampen the uncomfortable feeling of the bodyguards' gazes.