The crowd roared like an angry sea, their voices crashing into each other, full of hatred and fury. I stood at the center of it all, my heart hammering as the mob pressed closer. The scarlet cape draped over my shoulders felt heavy, its edges brushing the sand of the courtyard. In front of me, a battered shield loomed, held firm by the knight who had stepped between me and the chaos.

“Stay behind the shield,” she said, her voice sharp but steady. Her words were calm, though I could hear the strain in her breathing.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my knees from buckling. Another rock flew through the air, striking the shield with a loud clang that made me flinch. The knight didn’t move, her body unwavering as she absorbed the impact.

“You don’t have to do this,” I said, my voice barely audible over the crowd. “Why are you protecting me?”

“Because someone has to,” she said simply, without even glancing back at me.

Her answer made my chest tighten. She didn’t know who I was, didn’t know I was the princess they were screaming for. And yet, here she was, standing firm, shielding me with nothing but battered steel and her own will.

Another barrage came, rocks and debris pelting her shield. I saw her flinch, her arm trembling slightly as she adjusted her stance.

“You’re hurt,” I whispered, noticing the blood trickling down her temple.

“It’s nothing,” she replied, her voice clipped. “Just stay still. I’ll get you out of this.”

The crowd surged again, their anger rising like flames. She shifted closer, the cape swaying as her shield angled to cover more of me. I felt the heat of her presence, her armor brushing against my arm.

“You can’t stop all of them,” I said, my voice breaking.