Page 22 of Knowing Trust

“Dealer’s choice,” they all said together and burst out laughing.

It made me chuckle too. I gave Izzy a wink and shook my head at their antics.

Ara recovered first and hurried to explain. “We’re garbage disposals as fairies, even worse when our wings come in. Then add in the amount of magic the princess has and uses for all of us—even she cracks jokes that there’s no way to elegantly eat as much as she does. She compares herself and Prince Neldor to snakes trying to unhinge their jaws to shovel it all in after training.”

“It’s really funny how affronted he was at first, but now he asks if he can at least be a venomous snake and not like a cute one,” Wyn snitched, the others trying not to laugh.

“I would want the same,” Ara chuckled. “But things don’t always fall into place because her schedule gets turned on its head or some meeting gets finished at almost midnight. Unlike other important people, the princess is not going to make the hobgoblins or staff jump to it and make her food then.”

The others snorted as if it was a ridiculous idea.

“So she gives one of us her debit or credit card and says ‘dealer’s choice,’” Ara continued. “Meaning we get to pick where the food comes from and to get enough for us as well. We know what she likes from just about anywhere. It’s just really nice that she’s so considerate that we get that as a perk of our schedules thrown off too and appreciated.”

“That is nice of her and yes, unlike other leaders,” the interviewer accepted.

“Except she steals it back from Wyn sometimes,” one of the other guys busted. “It’s hysterical. And we all thank her. He’ll grab it and she’ll snatch it back and give it to one of us and say, ‘Enough with the fried chicken. We’re all going to start clucking. Someone pick anywhere else.’”

“This planet just has such delicious fried chicken,” Wyn muttered, setting the fairies off all over again. He gave the interviewer a sheepish look. “It is fair especially since I’m normally lead on her detail and she knew me best to give me her credit card with no limit. I wasn’t paying attention and just defaulting to comfort food.

“But—I think it was over one of her breaks and there wasn’t even a schedule there was so much going on and it was just hopping from one fire to put out to another. One last-minute meeting to this and—my head was spinning. And she just kept giving me the card and I got food. I didn’t realize until the fourth day where she said she was going to pluck me.”

“It was so funny,” one of the other guys agreed. “But seriously, it was like three full days of fried chicken and more fried chicken. You got it once for breakfast, Wyn.”

“Oh dear, that’s quite the addiction you have to such an unhealthy food,” the interviewer said lightheartedly. “What is the worst part of being on her detail?”

“When the commanders yell at us,” a female Guardian admitted, shrugging when the others gave her a look to shut it. “The princess wouldn’t hide it and I won’t either. They are better, but they were too overbearing. We all were and—everything changed, and we were all terrified after what happened in Faerie. I think we all have to admit that more and apologize to the princess.

“But she would handle something and they would yell at us and—she’s the boss of us all. What did they expect us to do? They were yelling at us because they couldn’t yell at her either. We’re grunts. And—our job is to watch her back while she’s distracted at meetings or school. When she’s going into danger though she puts us in barriers or freezes us to keep us safe.

“The princess knows what she’s doing and is the strongest of us. We’re not able to do what she can and we all know it. I adore her for always making sure that I’m as safe as possible. It’s why I would die for her. I watch her back when she is learning what she should, doing what I cannot, or governing. Then she protects me from what I cannot go up against.”

“Yeah, she cares for each of us like that,” another Guardian agreed. “And yes, that part was really rough for a while. I even understood it. I had an ancient ask me about her menstrual cycle and sexual activities, berating me when I didn’t know more and wouldn’t answer to him. Everyone takes things too far and… I’m really glad it’s different now.”

“It was a lot to adjust to for those of us who weren’t ever on a royal’s detail,” Wyn agreed. “We all got dumped into roles we weren’t used to because so few of us were awake to start, but the princess just kept rolling with too much. She would correct mistakes or use things as learning opportunities and move on. But that was the worst part.”

“Besides when you startle any of her dogs and get a bit of a heart attack because they’re so protective of her,” Ara added. “They had to do so much for so long and fly under the wire without help and—they’re still so on guard all of the time. I cannot imagine how much they all suffered while we were frozen. It’s like they cannot let go of that trauma response for everything.”

“I never thought of that,” one of the other Guardians muttered. “I just assumed they thought we were taking their place and wanted more spoiling from the princess.”

“No, a few others familiar with fae dogs who helped shut down the fighting ring said it’s all trauma responses,” Ara said. “Even from before meeting the princess. Being constantly chased by the dust collectors. Never having somewhere safe—all of it. The fair folk suffered too much.”

“Yes, yes, they did,” the interviewer cut in before the fairies completely took over the interview. “So she feeds you well and yes, it’s common that people go too far with a leader’s security, spies trying to get information from them. That’s not limited to the princess or even fairies. I want to ask more about how she—it’s publicly known how often she ditched her security.”

“Part of that was she didn’t ever want to bother us,” Ara defended. “She—the princess wasn’t raised with any of this. I know the conversation she had with Prince Hudson, and she said she just needed someone to put it into ‘Tamsin’ for her. She kept equating us with like the fire department. If no one calls on them then they can read and have a relaxing shift.

“They can catch up on stuff and sleep or even play video games—not be bothered. They’re paid to be there ‘if needed,’ and the princess felt the same, trying not to need us. The prince explained how it’s different. Yes, we might relax a bit when we’re at her residence, but we’re still patrolling or—we’re still on duty.”

“So we might as well be entertained,” one of the other guys said. “Especially with the food challenges and all of the fun stuff the princess does. That more than makes up for what she sees as ‘bothering’ us. It’s not a bother. We protect her so she can protect all of us.”

“And the rest—she should have ditched us,” Wyn admitted. “We messed up. The commanders couldn’t let go. Fairies wanted her caged in her family castle for their benefit. It was all ridiculous to treat the big boss that way. She made the point she needed to and got people back in line. We deserved it and I’m glad she did. Things are much easier now.”

I was really glad to hear that. Really, really glad to hear it because I believed them.

They talked a bit more about funny moments being on my detail and sidestepping the more in-depth questions the interviewer pushed to try and get information. She wasn’t petty or over the line—she was a newswoman. It was her job. I wasn’t even angry.

It was all just stuff that we didn’t share and was smart to keep secret. She handled it graciously, and honestly it was fine. The whole interview was good and I was glad it worked out.

I handed Izzy back her phone with a smile, thanking her for showing me. It was a needed smile and feeling like something was going right when so much hurt and felt too big.

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