Turns out, being a royal guard is not everything I thought it'd be. But the lack of meals, the harsh training I endured, and the shift of living quarters were all worth it when I got to spend every free second of my day with Phil.

Chris began to sneak food to me from his limited access to the kitchens. Since he had been the head chef for nearly three years, no one questioned it when he walked in. He would grab things like rolls and fruit and leave quickly with a bulging tunic. As part of my training, I was allowed one meal a day. It wasn't too difficult in itself, I was used to small meals when my family couldn't afford to feed me, but then I had to face task after exhausting task; climbing walls, learning to use a bow, swimming for hours still clothed in my heavy leather armour. I barely made it through the first week, and I think I wouldn't have if Chris hadn't helped me through.

Eventually, however, the rest of the month passed, and I was a certified guard. I was one step closer to my half-forgotten dream. Knighthood. And I was also one month closer to the day Phil would die.

I did not believe in true love or soulmates or any of that. And if the only way to break this curse was true love's kiss, then Phil was doomed.

I walked past a giant mural of Louise the Great, and automatically cursed her name. I thought she destroyed hectic magic. I thought she saved the land. I didn't know what to believe. I thought-

But before I could think of another thing that wasn't true, I collided with something very hard and very tall. I looked up, dreading what I'd see.

"Coming home again, are you?" My father snarled, and I immediately flinched away. He looked even worse than the last time I had seen him, which I'd no idea was possible. His face was covered in a layer of dirt and grime, the only clean part a path from either sides of his lips, which I discovered to be from the booze as he took another swig from the bottle in his hands, some of the liquid spilling out of his slightly slack mouth.

"N-no, sir." I mumbled. I had actually been unaware I was traveling into town, I was just taking some time away from that stuffy castle and terrible routine, maybe buy a few pastries or something from the bakery with my slightly improved guard's salary, or just move in a way that wasn't painful. I avoided the woods in order to keep away from some place that reminded me of Phil, and just tried to clear my mind.

So much for that.

"Good," he slurred, narrowing his eyes, "because you aren't welcome. Your mother is sick, and we don't need your ungrateful mouth to feed along with us. We can barely afford it as it is." He looked at me closely, screwing his face up in drunken confusion. "What's that you're wearing?"

I looked down and realised I was still wearing my uniform. Chris had told me I was of the youngest guards ever, only 17, but since I was so tall, the sparse armour fit me well. When I had to wear the whole deal, the chest plates and helmet, I felt official. Even in just the leather chest plate, I felt worthy of being with Phil.

"It's my armour." I said. He poked me in the chest, and I stumbled backward.

"That's... imbecilic." he said. I nodded.

"I know, sir. Sorry, sir." I hugged myself and quickly walked away. I shut my eyes and tried to control the tears threatening to spill out of my eyes.

I wish someone loved me.