DILEmma

Some of the scrolls Tyran handed to him feel off Gerald's hands after the emperor disappeared.They were too many to be carried by just one person.

Gerald sighed and placed them all on the table then he requested help from a knight to help him carry them.

He sat down, crossed his legs and rubbed on his sunken eyes surrounded by dark circles,an evidence of lack of sleep.

He hadn't slept since yesterday and his next stop after this hall was going to be his chambers,he had to sleep at the same time with Tyran because he could be summoned any moment when Tyran woke up, that was just how difficult his job was.

Gerald tapped impatiently tapped his fingers on the table while waiting for the knight.

The knight he summoned could teleport he knew but due to energy shortages knights of the imperial palace were now pardoned for late arrival when summoned.

Gerald's spirit guard appeared in front of him.

It's tiny wings flapping around the green colored light that glowed around it's light green red patched body.

Ju was a tiny fur-filled lion like animal with huge eyes that almost covered his face,his mouth occupying the smallest portion below.

Gerald stared warily at him.

"Who invited you here?get out before the emperor catches you!"

"We both know the emperor permits only you to move around with your spirit guard,no one would penalize you...but my lord you seem distant from me these days,maybe I offended you and I_"

Gerald slapped his forehead with his palm,the sound from it reverbating in the empty hall with his elbow placed on the table and head lowered.

"Look ju...you didn't offend me I have just been much busy lately".

"I can help you out with something... any thing".

Gerald released his hand from his face and motioned with his head in the direction of the scrolls.

"Well then help me carry these",he said.

Ju's eyes studied the scrolls on the table then it's ears lowered as it bellowed with a saddened expression on its face.

"My lord...but you know am much too tiny,my tiny hands can't even lift of those.

Gerald chuckled and his eyes lightened up.

"Exactly...that's why"Gerald said wearing a grin as his fingers began working its way, smoothening the edge of one of the scrolls in front of him.

The smile didn't disappear as silence fell between them for a couple of minutes.But Gerald didn't know his spirit guard was watching him.

He's mind had drifted to Carolene,for some reason a part of him longed to see her.

Ever since Dark had met with her,the emperor had restricted her from coming out of Fiona's chambers.

She was locked in there day and night with Tyran supplying all what she needed himself,and he couldn't find Fiona's chambers either if not he would have gone to her.

That was one request would make from the emperor.His heart would ever be unable to suppress this longing unless he saw her once again.

Ju drew close to him,so close that his huge eyes was less than an inch from Gerald's face.

"I'V just detected a sudden change in your mood my lord...it's a good change.What are you thinking about?"

Gerald raised his eyes and placed his index finger on its forehead then he forcefully pushed him backwards with it.

Ju landed on the table and growled.

"I've told you before ju...don't you do that in my face but you never listen".

"It hurts"the spirit guard complained while rubbing his forehead with his tiny hand.

"Am not saying sorry ju..."

Gerald said not looking at him.

Just then,the door swung open and Gerald's eyes met an entirely different Mia's.

He held her gaze for a while then his eyes ran down her features as he studied what she was wearing.

She had changed into a red and white dress which covered most of her legs,her hair was neatly combed in the same bun and the sores on her mouth were all gone,the healers had done a good job on her.

Even her face was now smoother and brighter,she looked entirely different.

Gerald averted his gaze back to the scrolls then he began arranging them.

Mia reluctantly drew closer taking one swift step at a time and pausing at intervals.

When she reached the table she bowed and clutched her hands.

"My lord...I dropped my hair pin here.I came back to get it".

Gerald didn't respond nor turn to look her way.

Mia swallowed then bent down,she sighted the hair pin close to Gerald's feet,in a position where she wouldn't be able to grab it without touching him,but she had to try.

She clenched her teeth, momentarily paused her hand movement then reached for it.

When she had it,her hand brushed against his shoe.

Gerald moved his feet away and looked below the table,then their eyes locked.

She quickly retracted her hand and stood up.The Knight's gaze followed her as she got to her feet,her eyes now lowered stared nervously at the table as she fidgeted with both hands,rolling each against each other.

Gerald could sense her nervousness.He shook his head and reached for the hair pin,picked it up and handed it to her.

As she collected it,her hand brushed against his and her face flushed hot red.

Gerald fought his best to hold back a chuckle.

Was this lady falling for him or had she already fallen for him after meeting him just today?but still...the fact she made it too obvious was most amusing.

Had she also purposely forgotten the hairpin with the purpose of getting her to see him again?

Mia turned and walked towards the door but slipped.

In the split of a second,Gerald speedily got up,teleported to her side and caught her on impulse.

One of his hand supporting her back and the other around her waist.

As she stared into his eyes he could hear her heart pounding faster.

He cleared his throat and quickly helped her stand then he walked over to the table

"My lady...I am ju,my lord's spirit guard.Could you please do me the favor of helping my lord carry these scrolls to wherever he is taking it?"

Gerald looked from the table where his spirit guard laid before to where Mia stood and found ju already Infront of Mia.

"Ju!"Gerald called out."Could you pleas... shut....."

Before he could utter another word,Mia had run to the table and was already arranging the scrolls,then she lifted up as much as she could carry and stood awaiting his orders,her eyes starting straight into his.

"You!"

Gerald's tensed eyes drifted from his spirit guard to Mia then back at Ju.

Then his features relaxed,he didn't want her help,something he knew she felt most pleased to do,but the sooner he got these scrolls to their destination,the sooner he got to his bed.Also scolding her to drop it now would only get her upset,it wasn't her fault but his spirit guard's suggestion.

This was one of the reasons he scarely wanted him around,he talked too much.

"Very well".Gerald said as he gathered the rest of the scrolls.

Then he walked towards the door with mia trailing behind him.

When he got to the door,Ju opened it, exposing a full set of properly arranged white sharp set of teeth which seemed bigger than his tiny mouth could contain.

"I'll get you for this".Gerald said to him via telepathy as he walked out the door.