CHAPTER 3

He looked at me, his expression shifting. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to offend you. I was simply trying to relax."

As I observed him, standing there in his towel, I couldn't help but notice his well-toned physique. Despite my dislike for him, I had to admit that he was in excellent shape. I tried to push aside any thoughts about his muscles rippling beneath the towel, but it proved challenging. I wondered how he maintained his body in such remarkable condition.

Shaking my head, I refocused my thoughts, frustrated with myself for even considering his physique. I had more pressing matters to attend to, such as dealing with his stubbornness and ensuring my own safety.

"Asher," I said, striving to maintain a steady voice, "We need to address your behavior."

He met my gaze, his eyes locked with mine. "What behavior?" he asked, his tone innocent.

"You know exactly what behavior," I replied. "You violated my privacy, Asher. And now, you're parading around in nothing but a towel. How am I supposed to accept this?" I questioned, annoyed by his teasing.

"Do you like what you see?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

I rolled my eyes, frustration mounting. "Don't flatter yourself, Asher," I retorted. "I have more important things to worry about than your physique."

He chuckled, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Sure you do," he said. "But you can't deny that I look good, can you?"

Asher was infuriating! "I can and I will deny it," I stated firmly. "Now let's get back to business. Get dressed and leave this place," I ordered.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Your Highness, but I don't take orders from you. As I've already mentioned, I work for Xavier Nightshade, not for you."

"But I'm the one you're supposed to protect!"

"Yes, that's true, but it doesn't change the fact that I work for Xavier Nightshade, not for you, Your Highness," he reasoned.

As Asher refused to leave, I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. I had tried everything to get him to leave, but he was stubborn and wouldn't budge. I knew that I had to find some means to make him give up. I couldn't have him staying in my castle forever, causing trouble and making me feel uncomfortable. So I decided to take matters into my own hands. I would find a way to make him give up and leave, no matter what it took.

I began to brainstorm different ideas, trying to think of something that would make Asher realize that he had to leave. Maybe I could offer him more money to leave. Or maybe I could threaten him with legal action. But then I shook my head, feeling a sense of frustration. None of these ideas seemed to be working. Asher was too stubborn and too determined to stay.

The following day, I woke up early the next morning and decided to go to the breakfast room for some tea. As I entered, I saw Asher sitting at the table with my father, Xavier Nightshade.

I couldn't believe my luck. Why did he have to be here? And why did my father invite him to join us for breakfast?

I tried to keep my expression neutral as I walked over to the table. "Good morning, Daddy," I said, pouring myself a cup of tea.

"Good morning, Scarlett," he said. "I hope you slept well. And this is Asher, your new bodyguard. Did he introduce himself to you last night?”

I forced myself to smile politely at Asher. "Yes, he did. Good morning, Asher," I said, taking a sip of tea.

"Good morning, Princess," he said, nodding his head respectfully.

I could feel his eyes on me, and it made me feel uncomfortable. I didn't want him here, watching my every move and invading my privacy. But then my father began to talk to Asher about his duties as my bodyguard, and I found myself becoming more interested in the conversation. Asher seemed to know what he was talking about, and he was clearly dedicated to his job.

As we began to eat, I found myself becoming more and more agitated. Asher was sitting too close to me, and he kept glancing in my direction. So, I decided to do something to make him go away. I pretended to accidentally spill the contents of my cup on him, hoping that it would embarrass him enough to make him leave. But as the liquid spilled onto his trousers, I realized that I had made a mistake. Asher looked up at me, his eyes narrowed in anger.

"Why did you do that?" he asked, his voice sharp.

I could feel my cheeks growing hot with embarrassment. I hadn't meant for things to go this far. "I'm sorry," I said, feeling a sense of shame. "I didn't mean to spill it on you."

Asher didn't seem convinced. He wiped the liquid from his pants and stood up from the table. "I think I'll go change," he said, his voice cold.

As he walked out of the room, I felt a sense of guilt wash over me. What had I done? Why had I let my anger get the best of me? When I glanced at my father, he was obviously disappointed, but then he was always disappointed in me, so what’s the difference?

“Go and apologize, Scarlett. What did you do to the poor man?” Xavier Nightshade inquired.

“I don’t want him here, Daddy, so why should I apologize to him?”

“My God, Scarlett! Will you please grow up? You are no longer a child to have this kind of tantrum. When I told you to go and apologize to him, it was an order,” he stated.

After my father’s outrage, I found myself walking out of the room.

As I was leaving the breakfast room, my father, Xavier Nightshade, called out to me. "Scarlett ," he said, his voice stern. “Make sure that he wouldn’t quit from his job,” he warned me.

“It wouldn’t be my fault if he will quit, Daddy,” I told him.

“Then, I will have no choice but to send you to a boarding school again because it seems that you haven’t learned your lesson well,” he threatened me.