CHAPTER 1 WAKING UP IN THE MORNING

Through the slumber I feel like someone is looking at me. Carefully, as ifunder a magnifying glass. Face, hair, neck, shoulders. Everything about thislook is interesting. Whose view is this?I do not understand…I float into the saving abyss ...Suddenly I realize that I have been lifted from the floor - and now they arecarrying me towards the bed; I can wake up and see who it is, but I don't wantto waste my energy. Therefore, I again plunge into a dream where there are nosides, no ceiling, no floor under my feet; where there is nothing butemptiness. Silence. And the depths… so bottomless that I get a strangefeeling that somewhere there might be hiding something , capable ofanything… capable of protecting… capable of repelling… capable of killing…- Your Highness! - Lee's voice forces me to swim to reality and open myeyes.What? Is the sun already shining?Has the morning come?How did you fall asleep like that! A strange mixture of feelings appears onthe girl's face.What's wrong? Did I fall asleep on the floor? Is she talking about it?I look around and realize that I'm in bed.- Lee, what is the matter? I rub my eyes and push myself up on my elbows.And then I understand what caused such feelings ...- I fell asleep in a dress - I sigh and lean back on the pillow.That is why the waist hurts so much! Yes, and the wrists are all exhaustedfrom tight fasteners ...“I think today we will choose something free,” I smile tiredly and close myeyes.I want to sleep a little more ... and then I realize what confuses me:- Why didnt you come to me, Lee? - I ask the maid.“Your bodyguard told me not to disturb you,” this child repents, loweringhis head.So it was Ha Ru who brought me to bed...? I see.…I get up quickly.No, its not clear! What was he doing in my quarters?!- Something happened? - Noticing the expression on my face, Lee asksexcitedly.- Life happened, - I beat off and get to my feet, - prepare a bathroom forme.While the maid is running around doing her errands, I stand at the windowand look down. I definitely need a bodyguard. My life is the most valuablething I have now. And, I think, I will be able to explain to my spouse in anaccessible way why and for what reason I need a defender. Yesterday'sweakness has passed, it has been replaced by a simple understanding -except for me, there is no one here to fight for the rights of thecountess. Maura wont do it for me. So does Geon. It's only my concern,because I'm in her place now.In general, we will deal with the bodyguard.But how can I explain to Tai Wei the appearance of Ha Ru in my bedroom -if he decides to visit again without an invitation? Looks like this guy has nobrakes at all. Or he just knows no bounds...Problems of this nature do not suit me at all. Cheating accusations are theworst possible scenario. Because it will be entirely the result of my ownoversight: at some point, Ha Roo really intrigued me ... And, I know that Ibrought trouble on myself by paying too much attention to his damn attractiveperson, but now it is necessary to put everything in its place . And separatethe wheat from the chaff.In any case, no matter how twisted my story is in this world, I'm not goingto turn it into a cheap porn novel about the forbidden relationship of acountess and her servant. I want to live this new life with dignity.If that means I have to give up watching my guards' morning workout...then so be it!“This is a very adult decision, baby,” I mutter under my breath and shakemy head.Everything. No more presses.At least until my position in the empire stops being so precarious...“The bathroom is ready, Your Grace,” Lee says, and I breathe a sigh ofrelief.This day should start with something pleasant. Let it be water with herbs,filling my body with energy and health.***“My lady, the cultivator has arrived.” Mora appears in my quarters afterbreakfast, when I am going for a walk in the garden.I close my eyes, getting ready for the next test, and nod to my assistant:“Take him to the guest room on the ground floor,” I say and glance in themirror; I carefully look into the eyes of the countess. “Don’t let me down,” Iwhisper with my lips and head out of the chambers, however, I abruptly freezein the corridor, facing nose to nose with Ha Ru, “what are you doing here?”- I am your new bodyguard, - he replies dispassionately, - and I mustaccompany you to this meeting.Why are you my bodyguard? - I'm genuinely surprised.I was sure that Geon would choose his person, who would not arouse anyinterest in me!I was planning not to interact with this stable guy anymore, who tries to bea simpleton by claiming that he is not a warrior and carrying a deadly weaponin his bag. And which suspiciously often appears before my eyes at the mostopportune moment ...“Because I’m the best among them,” Ha Ru responds with the sameimpassiveness.- I need another, - I clearly declare, knowing full well that next to him Isimply cannot remain indifferent and cold-blooded.Damn bodyguard freaks me out!“Talk about this with the head of the guard,” Ha Ru throws meindifferently, and I’m ready to rush to Geon and yell at him, but I remember intime about the upcoming important meeting ...- Do not look at me, do not talk to me, do not attract my attention, - pullingmyself together, I say in a tense voice, - make sure that I do not notice you atall.Having said this, I cross the corridor and go down to the first floor.I can always change my bodyguard. And now it is important to assuremaster cultivator that I am Countess Daigo. This is what you need to focus on.- And here is another thing ... - I stop in front of the very doors of the guestroom and turn around to Ha Ru, - dont go into my bedroomanymore. Moreover, dont touch me.- Even if you sleep?- Especially if I sleep.- Even if you sleep on the floor?- It shouldn't concern you where I sleep, - I frown a little, and then I noticethe look of my now real bodyguard, - what is with the eyes?“They are watching,” Ha Ru replies.- Yes, but how they look! - Raising an eyebrow, I exclaim, - This look shouldno longer be. Watch your face.Are you suggesting that I walk with my eyes closed? - throws me a youngman.I'm at a loss for words.Was he completely stunned by permissiveness and his own strength?!I really dont know what to say!“At a meeting with a cultivator, speak only the truth,” looking away, Ha Rusays in an indifferent voice for no reason.- Get out, - I send from the heart and enter the guest room.I try not to start, noticing that my bodyguard did not even think of going todistant distances - and calmly followed.“Mr. cultivator,” I go to the back of the room, where a short and middle-aged man in a travel suit was sitting in an armchair.- Countess, - a man with unmemorable features rises from his seat andbows his head, - Im glad to see you in full health.I can't hide from my eyes how tensely he examines me, as if marveling atsomething.- What's the matter? Have I changed since we last saw each other? - I'mthrowing a bait.“We have never seen you, Countess. This is my first time in thespiderlands,” the cultivator says looking at the pendant around my neck.“Then explain to me the meaning of your gaze,” I suggest that he sit downwith a gesture, and I myself sit down in a chair opposite.I don’t even think about worrying about my oversight - well, you neverknow how many people I have met in my entire life? Don't remember everyone.- Your gift, - the man in the traveling suit willingly explains, - I have notheard that you possess it.I looked in the mirror and smeared the circles under my eyes with lightpowder. Sleepless nights of cramming did not go unnoticed. Brown hair, as ifalso not getting enough sleep, constantly knocked out of the styling.There was no time to iron the black jacket, so its flared back stuck out indifferent directions. A high collar, white cuffs and two rows of buttons createda fashionable image of an Academy student, but by the end of the first monthof the rainy season, they were pretty tired.I tossed my combat uniform into a huge bag and took my history bookwith me and went down to the kitchen.- Mom, can I help you?There was a pungent smell of burning in the air.- Good morning, Lady. Set the table, I can't do anything! If you got upearlier...Sorry, I went to bed late...Upstairs, the footsteps of my father and younger sister were alreadyheard, so I quickly took out the plates, poured tea and, sitting on a chair,opened the book.- Good morning! - I heard the stern voice of my father.I just waved my hand, not looking up from reading.- Mom, you said that in the morning there will be pancakes!Anna, dont be mean. Sit down to eat!My sister muttered something under her breath, and I tried not to bedistracted.