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Ruskin, the secretary of Charles Augustus Milverton, let out a sneeze. It was so loud that it echoed back from the rocks where the manor stood leaning above the sea. Damn flowers, he thought. He didn't like taking walks in nature during early spring because of his allergy. His nose and lungs just couldn't bear the blooming flowers - they made him sneeze and cough and quietly suffocate while he was walking on the side of the other man.
"I told you to stay inside, Ruskin." Milverton noted to his secretary. "I wouldn't wander far from the villa and even if I would, I would be safe here. This is why we keep the existence of this residence hidden, after all. So I can come here and rest without needing to think about the usual danger."
Ruskin knew that what he said was true and that he could barely expect assassins here which could threaten his employer's life. Yet, he shook his head.
"No, sir. I will not let you go on a walk on your own." He stated, but his vehement speech got cut away by another sneeze. "You are the safest when I am there to protect you. I promised that I will follow you wherever you go."
Milverton let out a chuckle.
"I know that your devotion is unbreakable, but it is not necessary now to follow me." He tried to reassure Ruskin. "You are allergic to these flowers. It is not good for your health. Just go back to the house and watch me through the window. I promise that I will stay within your vision."
But even this offer didn't change Ruskin's mind.
"No, Mr. Milvertom." He shook his head. "In that case, I wouldn't be able to be fast enough to save you if someone did happen to attack. It is important that I should remain on your side."
"Ruskin, you are not my bodyguard." Milverton tilted his head and stopped when his secretary started coughing from the flowers again. He waited until he finished, he continued only after that. "You are my assistant and I order you to act like that. You should be obedient and go inside the house. I will not say this again."
However, even the confident voice and the reminder of their power imbalance couldn’t break Ruskin's will about what he got in his mind.
"I am sorry that I need to disobey you, sir, but I only do it for your sake." Ruskin answered and he lowered his head, sniffing. "I will not let anyone hurt you. As soon as we go back to the house, please, punish me for going against you. But I have no choice."
Milverton, seeing that it was a battle he could never win, rolled his eyes and let out a sigh.
"I think the allergy is enough punishment for you." He noted and he changed his direction towards the manor. "We are going inside then. Someone needs to take care of your health if you are unable to. I have enough of your sneezes." He told Ruskin, but despite his words, his tone was not angry. He expected that his walk in the garden would be really short.
He knew Ruskin for a way too long ago for it.