The Bungsu Princess Inferior

32. Allegiance

I can only fall asleep for 2 hours, somehow it feels like I can't sleep any longer. I decided to take a shower and get myself ready without calling the waiter, because I knew that even calling them would make no difference, and I would be even more vigilant, afraid of touching them accidentally.

My journey has at least made me grateful, because it has taught me to be more independent. Perhaps the trip was also meant to prepare myself for this day and the days that followed, the day without Sarala's foster mother beside me.

I walked closer to the window and opened it, the sun was not yet rising, but the moon of the gods was no longer visible. A little cold fresh air hit my body, my long hair that was now silver began to fly in the wind. Seen a lot of soldiers on standby around my residence, it seemed to appear more numerous than before. My eyes began to look for Balin, but I could not see him. Honestly, I've been bored since I couldn't go back to sleep. My emotions are like looking for an impingement to be released immediately if I don't immediately seek diversion. I finally decided to get out of my room, and maybe get out of my house.

"Your Majesty."

I was shocked half to death, how not! The figure of Balin that I had not found, now suddenly stood in front of me just as I opened the door.

"Oh my god Balin! I almost fainted because of you!" my scolding of her while rubbing my chest slowly, tried to control the extremely fast heartbeat due to my shock. "Why did you show up all of a sudden? couldn't you give me the signal earlier?" it seems like my anger found its outlet, I really can't control it this time.

"Please, Your Majesty," Balin looked regretful but still not many words came out of his mouth.

"Oh, forget!" my words really sound haughty, I'm a little sorry to say it. "It looks like your army's increasing?" ask me to shift the topic.

Balin nodded, "right Your Majesty, this is the standard amount of security for a great heir."

I stepped my feet, leisurely walking around my residence aimlessly. Balin followed behind me.

"Thank you Balin, thank you for taking your time to take care of me." My steps came to a halt in front of the golden-leaved banyan tree. The trunk of this tree is decorated with many sword marks, I came forward and rubbed it.

"It is the duty of the servant, Your Majesty." Balin answered me briefly, as if he had not changed.

"Balin, I don't know why I miss the old me." My hand rubbed against the faint but overwhelming number of sword marks. I remember, every time my heart was not calm, I always blindly scratched my sword towards the trunk of the golden banyan tree, I vented all my emotions on him, until my body was tired and unable to continue. In the past, for the untalented Aira, living a simple and happy life with father and mother was the single greatest desire to achieve, she said, The Aira who used to have absolutely no thought of inheriting the imperial throne, not even the desire to possess it existed, because I was once very well aware that I would not be able to carry out the duties and obligations of a great heir with my status which in fact is an untalented creature.

I used to think that my life was the saddest in the world, but now when I remember it I want to turn back time and go back to that time. A time when I just need to live my life as an ordinary person, without burden and without any demands, even though protected but I used to feel freedom, he said, not many people know me because I have never appeared officially in public, nor do I need to be afraid to do the things I like, no need to care about other people's views of me, just need to be me.

"Balin, what was the first thing you thought about when we first met?"

I asked while looking up, towards the golden leaves of the banyan tree that is very shady, the sun has not shown its shape but the gold color of the shiny leaves reflects the light of the lights.

"I want to protect Your Majesty," Balin replied briefly.

"I want to protect Your Majesty" Balin repeated his reply.

I looked at him in disbelief with a slow sigh, I felt like I wanted to snap his head in annoyance of the same answer a second time, but as hard as I could hold back.

"The first time I saw Her Majesty in the capital market, I thought that I wanted to protect Her Majesty, even though at that time I did not know that Her Majesty was the emperor's daughter," Balin unexpectedly continued his words.

"The first time I met His Majesty, it wasn't at the palace when General Ezio introduced me as the chief of the bodyguards to His Majesty, but rather at the capital market, eleven years ago."

I looked into Balin's eyes, I really don't remember my meeting with him eleven years ago.

"I immediately approached the Great General and pointed to a little girl with pink hair and said to him 'I want to protect her, just like you did' and here I am now, my wish eleven years ago has now come true, I do not think that the little girl I appointed was a great heir."

I'm gawking, didn't I hear wrong? Protecting me was his wish long ago? Is it something that can be aspired to? Is that to be proud of? As if Balin being my bodyguard was a dream come true.

"Balin, don't you have any other desires you want to achieve?" manya curious.

"Died while on duty protecting His Majesty."

I nailed Balin so stubbornly, that it made him bow, maybe a little sick? but this time he did not issue an apology to me, did he not realize that his words were just not worth saying, but he just kept quiet, as if he did not regret what he said.

"Don't ever say it again or I'll be so mad!" I looked at him in annoyance, "Your life, your happiness, is entirely your right, Balin! Don't ever make me an excuse to give up your life, no matter what! You deserve your life, so never say it again or do something that endangers your life just for me!"

I took a deep breath trying to control my emotions, "i am not the one I was, Balin. I'll try to get stronger so you don't have to risk your life for me."

Suddenly Balin gathered before me, "allow the servant to be with His Majesty to the end. I promise to be faithful and protect Your Majesty, please accept His Majesty's servant."

My heart was broken, I stretched out my right hand until I touched Balin's head. "I, Aira Airlangga take your oath of allegiance. I endow you with happiness, courage, strength and glory."

The red aura from my rainbow flowed through my hands then enveloped Balin's entire body, amplifying his original aura. Reassure the yellow aura as a blessing for his loyalty to me.