Contender #3 - The Shadow Bodyguard, Scarecrow

So... His name and identity are under strict confidentiality, so for the purposes of our story, I’ll be referring to him as “Scarecrow.”

As implied by his job title, Scarecrow protects Lady Elianna from the shadows and—what? You’re saying it’s only natural for him to be with her because he’s her bodyguard? You find it strange for him to be a possible candidate in a bet to see who Lady Elianna spends her new year’s break with?

Okay, yeah, I get what you’re saying, but hear me out. Lady Elianna loves books so much she’s earned the epithet “Bibliophile Princess.” The prince is planning a pre-wedding retreat at Gral Villa, but if she forsakes him and chooses instead to spend her time at home reading, then who will she be spending the most time with? Her bodyguard, right?

For that reason, I happen to think Scarecrow is the dark horse of this race. Whoops, I’m letting my personal opinions slip too much. Anyway, let me tell you a little bit of the struggles I’ve seen him experience these past four years.

~.~.~.~

A few moments prior to the explosion in the lab, I had approached Scarecrow out of concern. “Those guys are making a move on her. That spells trouble for us. How are we going to get out of this?”

Scarecrow was a man with a slender build and a rather unnoteworthy appearance. I had only recently learned that his job (and subsequently employer) was the same as mine. His mission was to tag along behind Lady Elianna as she puttered about the palace.

He was standing in a corner of the room, yawning, a bored look on his face. He ignored the fuss going on in the background, keeping Lady Elianna within view but never really looking at her as he shrugged at me. “Eh, who cares? The prince only said we have to protect her. Never told me to intervene in whatever she’s doin’.”

“Well...” I muttered thoughtfully, “it’s true that this has been entertaining to watch.”

“I made sure to get rid of any of the nasty lookin’ stuff, so she’s not in any danger. I’m doin’ what he asked me to do, so he’s got no reason to complain.” His mouth gaped in another yawn. “Anyway, think I’ll take a nap.”

It was hard to tell just how seriously this man was or wasn’t taking his job. I believed him when he said he’d eliminated any possible danger around her, but was it really okay to leave those guys who were hitting on her? I could just imagine the vein popping up on Prince Chris’s forehead now.

Scarecrow had been guarding Lady Elianna since before she moved to the capital. Had he also turned a blind eye to men’s advances on her then, too? I could picture yet another vein popping on Prince Chris’s forehead.

I glanced back at the researchers. There were plenty of them to use as potential sacrifices to keep ourselves safe at least. And just as I was thinking that, the explosion happened.

Lady Elianna was covered in soot, and just in time for our employer to arrive on the scene and witness it. Before I sped out of the danger zone, I paused to ask Scarecrow, “I thought you said she wouldn’t be in any danger?”

“...Guess I underestimated those herbs. The lady and those researchers are a volatile combination.” A cold sweat formed on his brow. It seemed even Scarecrow hadn’t predicted this turnout.

The prince’s sudden appearance at the lab left the researchers scrambling to accommodate his arrival.

Lady Elianna turned to him, a surprised look on her soot-covered face. “Prince Christopher, why are you...? Do you need something? Are you not feeling well?”

Despite the pitiful state of his betrothed, the prince still flashed his usual dazzling smile at her. “You should be worrying about yourself more than me. I came to search for you since I didn’t see you in the archives.”

Her eyes shuttered as if processing what he was saying. She gave him a formal apology before tilting her head curiously. “Did you need something from me?” It was clear by the way she asked that Lady Elianna saw no other reason he’d want to meet with her if he didn’t have any business with her.

The prince’s lips pulled even tighter as he produced a handkerchief and tried to wipe her face.

“No thank you,” she said, turning him away. “You’ll only get it dirty.” Instead, she accepted a rag from one of the elderly researchers and began to wipe herself down.

That was enough for me to decide. Yep, I’m getting the heck out of here.

I could hear Scarecrow muttering behind me. “Anyone got one of those needles they can stick me with so it looks like I’m dead? At least ’til this blows over.”

I prayed for his well-being as I fled the scene.