The Royalty gets a Bodyguard.

Taryn turned to face her once the door was closed. "Alice, it's fine, I know it wasn't your fault he's so....wonderful," they said, the word wonderful producing bile in their mouth. They sighed, sitting down on the bed, resting their head in their hands. "I'm so sorry you have to deal with him, I understand if you want to leave before he gets any more horrible."

Alice shook her head, coming to stand by Taryn's side. Her arms were loose by her side and her fingers twitched faintly with the desire to do- something. She wasn't sure what. Gently, hesitantly, she brushed her fingers lightly over their shoulder. "I- I would not leave you to face Lord Vandyke alone, Your Majesty."

Taryn looked up at her, a little bit shocked, but trying to cover their surprise, and failing. "Why would you stay? The money can't be that good," they blurted, before blushing. "I just meant...I'm sure there are more pleasant jobs.." They looked back down at their hands.

I mean...I want you to stay...they thought, but didn't know how to say that.

Alice gnawed on her lower lip, wincing as it split open again, blood beading red on the pink of mouth. "There may be work that would not have me interact with Lord Vandyke but I-" I feel you are worth anything he would do to me "I would not leave you to face him on your own. You are... That is, I..." She ducked her head. "I would choose not to leave you. I would choose to stay, because I- I care about you."

Taryn looked up as Alice finished speaking, mouth slightly agape. "I uh...really?" they asked, even though they had literally talked about this only hours ago, it felt so long. They stood up, to be level with Alice, taking one finger and touching the bleeding lip an attempt to stop it, although wondering if that would actually do any good.

Alice felt fire burn up her face, hot and tingling underneath her dark skin. Carefully, almost shyly, she looked at them from underneath the black fan of her lashes. "I- Yes. Very- Yes." Alice whispered. Her chest felt tight, constricted around the fast, fluttering beat of her heart. This wasn't- she felt uncharacteristically vulnerable, standing in front of Taryn and admitting to something like this, unsure where she stood with them.