As I reappeared, Mr. Kaufman stood there, a smug smirk plastered on his face.  
"See what I mean, huh? Ms. Zerah," 
he drawled, his voice dripping with a mocking amusement.
The smirk, that infuriatingly smug smirk, told me he knew exactly what had transpired. My annoyance with the man reached a new peak.  
He was always so condescending, always trying to undermine me. I wished with all my might that we could be separated, that I wouldn't have to see his face every single day.  
"Well, I told them that if anyone harms innocent creatures or humans, they'll face my curse. And I think it was effective, even the king kept apologizing," I said, a hint of satisfaction in my voice.  
Meanwhile, back in the palace, King Harton couldn't shake the events of the previous day.  
"I should warn my people about that,"
he muttered to himself, replaying the scene of Zerah’s fury and her departure. The weight of her words, the power behind her threat, echoed in his mind. 
"Your Majesty, I found some of your old paintings. You painted this a lot, anyway, who's this girl? She looks like one of our guests yesterday. What a coincidence!" Connor, the king's personal assistant and cousin, exclaimed, holding up a canvas.  
King Harton glanced at it, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Ah, yes," he said nonchalantly, 
"I used to love to draw random things when I was young. I don't really mind who it is." He wasn't one to dwell on the past, especially when it came to his artistic endeavors.  
"Zerah, did you know that you slept for three years?" 
Huh, that was a long time. But maybe for us, it was really just a day. We slept in a week, of course. If one of us was resting, one of us should guard. It's how we do things.  
"Kaufman, when you're still alone, how will you manage to rest while guarding?"
"Simple, I didn't sleep," he replied with a shrug, his expression unwavering. 
Wow, that was brutal. Now that I'm here, he can finally rest. He can lean on my shoulder. I'll make sure he gets the sleep he deserves.  
"Kaufman, did guardians like us... can we fall in love?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of curiosity. 
"Why do you ask? Do you like someone that is against the rule!" he retorted, his tone sharp and suspicious. 
"I was just curious. I'm not in love," I replied, my voice taking on a defensive edge. I didn't want to explain myself, not to him. My feelings were my own.  
His reaction was classic Kaufman. He always overreacted, always saw conspiracies where there were none. He was a bit of a psycho, after all.  
"Ah, Kaufman, where are you going? Can I come with you?" I asked, hoping to join him on whatever errand he was on.
Silence. No response. It meant no. Fine. Why did I even ask? I can explore this place all by myself. I don't need him, right? What if I can't find my way back? No, I'm a guardian. I'll find my way. I always do. 
Meanwhile, Kaufman was lost in his own thoughts.  
"Zerah, you don't need to fall in love with a mortal. I'm here," 
He murmured to himself, a faint smile gracing his lips. When she had first arrived, he had been overjoyed.
He wasn't alone anymore. He could finally share his thoughts with someone, someone who understood him. He'd been alone here, protecting her and watching over her from a distance. She was full of positive vibes, something he'd craved for so long. It was why he liked her, why he felt drawn to her. 
"I should treat her better now," 
Kaufman thought, a newfound
determination hardening his features. 
"I'll bring some apples to eat. She likes apples."  
He knew the little things mattered, the small gestures that could show Zerah he cared. He wanted to make her feel comfortable, to show her that he was there for her, not just as a guardian, but as a friend, a confidante. He wanted to build a connection with her, one that transcended their roles. 
Zerah strolled through the forest, her heart light with the joy of discovery. She greeted the animals with a gentle smile, their soft fur and bright eyes a welcome contrast to the sterile halls of the palace. But as she rounded a bend in the path, her peaceful exploration was shattered. A hunter, his face grim and his eyes focused on his prey, stood before her, his bow drawn, his arrow aimed.
"Huh, they are hunters? Are they planning to hurt those animals? No way, not under my watch. I need to do something, but I don't even know how to use my power yet. Oh no, I'm in trouble!" My heart pounded in my chest, my mind racing with a sense of urgency.