Jasper sighed when he heard her and shook his head, "I know I am suppose to but I am not going to leave your side. I want to make sure that your safe." he said softly. In truth he feared her getting hurt again and didn't want anything like that to happen again. So he was going to protect her with his life.

She blushed as he spoke and smiled at him. "Thank you. That's nice of you to say." Mariki walked over to him and hugged him gently. Her eyes closed as she felt so happy hearing him say that. The princess blushed before starting to pull away from him. "Sorry."

Jasper was surprised when she hugged him and wrapped his arms, holding her close, "and I mean every word of it." he said to her as he looked down into her eyes. But then she blushed and started to pull away, letting her, he smiled, "it is okay... I liked it." he said softly and wished he could hold her close again.

Mariki blushed more as he hugged her back and looked at him as he spoke. "Really?" She relaxed into his arms again and smiled a little as she started to feel comfortable. Her eyes closed as she stood there with him and wished not to let him go.

Jasper smiled as he saw her blush more and nodded, "really." he said softly as he felt her relax into his arms again. Holding her close, he hoped that no one came down the hall and that he could just stay like this with her. But after a few great minutes of being able to just stay like that, in the distance he heard footsteps and sighed, "what do you want to do today?" he asked her softly, trying to get go of her but found he really didn't' want too.

Her hands rested on his chest before she started to pull back from him. Mariki heard the footsteps and blushed more as she straightened her dress. "Well...um...I don't know. We could go horseback riding if you want to." She said before looking at him. "But we probably should get some breakfast, too."

Jasper watched as she pulled away from him and let her go. He wasn't going to be able to be close to her like that all the time, it was against the rules. Yet she looked cute with that blush on her cheeks and he blushed slightly himself. "i have never been on a horse actually." he said as he looked at her and then smiled, "but food sounds good." he said softly since he was actually starving. He hardly had eaten last night since he had been protecting her.

She felt a bit sad as he let her go and looked away from him. Mariki heard him say he had never rode a horse before and tossed out that idea. "Food it is then. You must be hungry. Let's go see if we can get some breakfast." The princess said to him as she smiled and stood near him.

Jasper smiled at her and nodded, "then lets go." he said and slowly started to lead the way, but never moving away from her side. Looking over at her, he smiled, "and maybe afterwards you can teach me how to ride a horse." he said happily since he knew he would like to learn.

Mariki nodded as she left the room with him with Tikura walking at her side. Her eyes went to Jasper as she smiled. "Maybe. I'm not a very good teacher." She said as they walked down the hallway and lead him towards the kitchen. The maids watched them as they walked so close together and started to whisper.

Jasper smiled as he walked with her and shook his head a little bit, "I wont believe that your a good teacher till you teach me. But I bet your a wonderful teacher." he said as he smiled at her and soon they were at the kitchen. Smiling as he looked around, he loved the smell of everything. "it smells like heaven in here." he said as he looked at her.

Her eyes went to him as they walked. "I tried to teach you how to read yesterday." Mariki said softly as she looked around the kitchen for some bread and cheese. "It usually does. We have a lot of good cooks in here." She said as she smiled at some of the cooks. But there were whispers about the man the princess was with.

" and you taught me how to read better then anyone else." He said as he smiled at her and followed her around. Everything looked very clean like a kitchen should be and food was everywhere. Picking up a apple he smiled at her, " so I think your a wonderful teacher." He said and took a bite out of it as he smiled. He heard people whispering about but ignored them, all his attention on the princess.

She heard him and smiled a little at him. "Thank you." Mariki said as she watched him take an apple and bite into it. Her eyes went to some of the women who were whispering about them. The princess scowled a little at them and looked at Jasper. "Was there anything other than bread, cheese, and fruit you wanted?"

Jasper smiled as he conitnued to eat the apple and watched as the princess seemed to become unhappy in seconds. "not really, I dont have to eat all that much." he said as he looked at her, "how about you? dont you want to eat?" he asked as he watched her.

Mariki took a basket and placed a loaf of bread and a wedge of cheese in the basket. Her eyes went to Jasper as she blushed and looked away from him. "I'll eat outside." She said before walking towards the door to the stable. "Since we're over this way, we should talk to Dominic about your position." The princess walked out of the kitchen, annoyed at the gossiping staff.

Jasper watched as she placed everything into a basket and nodded, "okay." he said as he started to follow her our of there. Though when he heard her, he nodded, "yes we should, because I am not going to leave your side. I am going to be your guard." he said as he looked down at her.

Her eyes went to him as she carried the basket towards the barracks. The guards were starting to make their way towards the mess hall for breakfast. Dominic was about to walk into the mess hall and looked towards the princess. Several of the guards stopped and bowed to the princess as they averted their eyes. A few looked at Jasper and wondered what he was doing with the princess.

Jasper stayed at her side as they walked into the barracks and could tell the guards were watching him. But most were bowing their heads as the princess passed by. Smiling, he kept to her and soon he saw Dominic. "hey, how have you been?" he asked as he looked at Dominic and smiled.

She looked at Dominic as he bowed and placed his hand over his heart. "My lady, can I ask what brought us together today?" He asked although he looked at Jasper. "Shall we go to the captain's quarters or somewhere private to talk?" Mariki said softly as the men stayed on their knees.

Jasper watched Dominic bow and stuck to Mariki's side. When Dominic got up and started to lead them to the captain's quarters he stuck close and kept himself alert. He wasn't sure if there was anyone he was suppose to look out for but he was going to stay on alert just incase.

Mariki followed behind Dominic as he lead them toward his quarters. The princess walked over to a chair and sat down before sitting down in the chair. She the basket down on the table and looked at Dominic as he shut the door. "Now, shall I get straight to the point of my visit?" Her eyes stayed on him as she folded her hands in her lap. "If you wish, your highness." She closed her eyes and smiled a little. "Last night, another attempt was made on my life. The reason I am alive today is because Jasper came to my rescue."

Jasper took his place next to her side when she sat down and put his hands behind his back. He then listened as the two talked and then looked at Dominic, "my feelings were right and I am glad that they had been." he said and looked at Mariki out of the corner of his eye. He was sure if he hadn't trusted it she wouldn't be here right now.

Her eyes went to Jasper as he stood by her side and spoke about what had happened. Mariki looked back at Dominic as she nodded and smiled a little. "Based on that, I have decided to let Jasper be my personal bodyguard." She said to Dominic as her eyes stayed on Dominic. "Do you have any complaints about this?"

Jasper stuck to her side as she spoke and could see the slight surprise in Dominic's eyes when he heard the princess. But no one could tell the princess no most of them time. So he just smiled as he waited for him to say it was fine and he could stay at Mariki's side all day long from now on.