"It's beautiful!"

Emily whispered out as her emerald eyes sparkled at the beautifully decorated streets. It was a pity that it still was early morning and not evening or nighttime, otherwise, she would have got the chance to enjoy the sparkling lights that people had used to decorate the outside of their shops, cafes, restaurants, and other such buildings.

"It is..."

Shadow's soft words pulled her attention towards her bodyguard and as she turned to look at him, she found him looking directly back at her.

His amber eyes were looking at her with such softness that it left her surprised for a few seconds.

At the same time, Shadow too was taken aback as their gaze collided and it made him immediately look away. He focused his attention back on the road as he cleared his throat to divert his thoughts.

"I mean that...it's really beautiful....the view. Just like you said."

Shadow explained his words as he continued to keep his attention on the road ahead as they drove towards the Academy.

"I know right...!" Emily smiled at him before she looked out of the window at the snow which was covering everything under its white blanket.

The streets were bustling and Emily could feel the positive and happy vibes that were present all around her.

It barely took them five minutes before their car reached the junction of the neutral zone and after another five minutes or so, their car finally entered the Academy grounds. Since it was the holidays, no one was present at the Academy.

Shadow parked the car in front of the stairs that led to the entrance of the seven-storey building before the two of them came out of the car and made their way towards the stairs.

Just when they reached the entrance, Shadow stopped in front of the main doors as he took out a card and his cellphone from his jacket pocket.

He opened his message box to view the message that he just received.

'No need to enter the building.'

The Supreme Sire scoffed as he read the message. His facial expression looked like he was ready to curse someone to death.

"Is everything all right?" Emily asked as she looked at the man who was rubbing his temples as if he was currently battling a headache.

Shadow took in a deep breath before he turned to face the girl as he answered her question.

"Looks like I need to visit the depository near the back gate of the Academy. There's another important thing that I need to collect from there."

Emily chuckled as she realized the reason behind his exasperated look.

"Are you mad because Nick is making you work on Christmas?" She asked him with raised eyebrows.

Shadow looked at her for a few silent seconds before he shrugged in response, neither denying nor confirming her words.

"It's alright. I'll ask him to pay you an extra bonus for today's work. Now stop making that face. Let's pay a visit to the depository first."

Emily said as she turned around to climb down the stairs. However, before she could take even a single step, she was stopped in tracks by none other than her bodyguard.

She looked at him with confused eyes as she waited for him to speak.

"You can't go there, Princess."

"And why?"

Emily asked while arching her eyebrows high as she folded her arms to look as much intimidating as she was feeling at that moment.

"Because I'm saying so. I'll go there alone." Shadow replied in a serious but soft tone.

"Really? When did you become like this?" Emily was definitely not happy with his answer and she did not try to hide it at all.

"Princess, do me a favor and follow my words. I'll go to the depository to finish my work and you will go to the private office on the seventh floor to collect Domenic's parcel. Alright?"

Shadow looked directly into her emerald eyes as he waited patiently for her response.

What else Emily could do other saying yes? So, that was exactly what she did.

"Fine!"

She muttered out in a barely audible tone as she turned her attention to the door of the academy building in front of her.

Shadow let out a deep sigh as he placed his hands on her shoulders and made her turn to face him.

He pulled her chin up to make her look at him as he spoke in a tender voice.

"Don't make that sad face. I'm doing this for your safety, Princess."

Emily observed his expression for a few silent seconds before she let out a sigh and nodded her head as she spoke.

"Alright! I'll do as you suggest. But you need to make it quick. Don't keep me waiting for too long."

Shadow immediately nodded his head in acceptance. He passed the card to her that he has been holding.

"Go now."

He spoke as he nodded his head towards the door in front of them.

Emily turned to walk towards the electrical door that was surrounded by a magical ward. But she soon stopped in her tracks as her eyes took in the empty entrance of the building through the glass doors.

Her heart suddenly started filling with anxiousness as her eyes took in the emptiness and silence inside the building.

She felt Shadow's presence behind her as he moved closer to stand right behind her.

"Are you afraid of stepping inside all alone?" He asked the question in a very soft voice.

Emily immediately turned around to face him. Her eyes held so much vulnerability at that moment, Shadow almost felt like something inside him was crushing into pieces.

"Shadow.....I-I don't want to be left alone," Emily whispered out as she looked at him with hopeful eyes. One of her hands had moved on its own accord and her fingers were tightly clutching his overcoat.

She could not believe that she was letting him see her in such a defenseless state, something that she hated to do in front of strangers.

However, she felt so safe and comfortable around her new bodyguard that she did not even think twice before exposing her fear in front of him.