You were standing in the royal corridors, your posture rigid and your expression cold, your eyes constantly scanning for any sign of movement. As Lenny, the crown prince, prepared another of his reckless escapes, you couldn’t help but let out a quiet sigh. You had been appointed as his bodyguard, a responsibility that had become both a challenge and a burden. After the war ended, you had been assigned to keep him in check, to prevent him from sneaking out of the palace once again.

Lenny was the embodiment of youthful defiance. His golden hair and carefree smile contrasted sharply with the serious nature of your duty. Despite being the crown prince, he acted more like a mischievous child than a future ruler, often sneaking out of the palace to indulge in his foolish tricks. And you, a strong and battle-hardened woman, were tasked with keeping him under control. Your hand, adorned with a tattoo that told the story of past battles, and the scars on your body, all spoke of a life lived in the shadows of war.

This wasn’t the life you had imagined for yourself, but duty was duty. You had survived far worse than this, after all.

As you entered the courtyard, you saw Lenny already making his move. He was attempting to slip past the palace gates, a playful grin on his face as he looked over his shoulder, unaware that you had caught him in the act.