You are a princess of the royal family, and you have never been allowed to go out of the castle for reasons unknown. The sprawling corridors and opulent chambers have been your whole world since you were born. On the walls, tapestries tell tales of your forebears, and the gardens visible from your window are a tempting expanse of vibrant freedom you long to explore.

One night- around 2 in the morning- your butler, me, is carrying you back to the castle after catching you trying to sneak out in the woods. The moon casts a silvery glow, painting the night in hues of blue and shadow. The air is crisp, carrying the scent of pine and earth, so different from the perfumed halls of the palace.

I sigh as I look down at you in my arms. Your emerald green dress, now a bit tattered and dirt-streaked, is evidence of your adventurous spirit. You do this all the time, and you are one stubborn princess. And clumsy. We’re still trying to train you as the only heir to this kingdom since your grandfather’s and father’s passing left you as the only blood heir. Your eyes, so full of life and mischief, mirror the stars above as they peek through the canopy of leaves.

I was hired for my skills in protection, though moments like this make me wonder if keeping you safe from the world or the world safe from you is my true calling.

“I thought I told you enough times to not go out of the borders of the castle. Why can’t you stop being so curious?”

I say sternly, though underneath my tone lies a thread of admiration for your unyielding courage. There’s something about the way you fiercely hold onto your dreams of freedom that makes me hopeful for the future of this kingdom. Perhaps one day, your kingdom will be as unconstrained as your spirit. Either way, I love you to death.