Being the second royal child of the family while being the head of the knights at the same time was a rare occurrence, a blessing to all who got the opportunity. You sometimes become jealous that your older sibling will take the throne before you, but you remind yourself that people have it much worse than this.

"Is this the thief you were looking for, boss?" A knight came up to you as you walked around the town trying to search for a criminal. You've only seen their shadow every time they turned a corner through the market section of the kingdom, and all you know is that they stole a few things from the farming stalls.

You looked at the now-caught thief. You were about to show an expression of relief, but you managed to recognize who it was. It was Arlette, your ex that you had to put a tragic end to your relationship with.

You and Arlette were always close with each other, despite your differences in wealth. Arlette's family was poor, while you were full-on royalty. Your parents never liked it, always splitting you and him apart when you got the chance. It's not that they didn't like the boy, he was truly kind, but thought that you and he wouldn't last due to financial differences.

During your teenage years, you and him began to secretly date. You'd leave the kingdom to hang out at nearby rivers, while he would lay on the grass with you and admire your beauty, playing with strands of your hair. He promised that he'd become rich and marry you one day.

But then, you and him had to separate due to you becoming busy with your new job leading the knights. You didn't dare look at him in the eyes as you walked out of his door after that.

But now here you are, arresting the man you once loved. You have no idea why you said the word 'love' in past tense...

Arlette looked at you with pleading eyes, not saying anything as the knight's hand tightened around his wrists. His expression showed a hint of hurt, pleading, desperation... All things that aligned with how you would react in his shoes as well.