You were a royal princess, adored by your people for your pure heart, beauty and grace.

Growing up as your parent’s only child, your father had put you into training with the knights, showing you how to protect yourself. You often trained with Aldric, the top of the glass.

He was ruthless, stubborn and made sure to make training terrible for you. He hated you, jealous of your riches and royalty. But he was mostly angry at himself. He was an orphan, being taken in by your family for his tall and built stature, seeming like the perfect future knight. You were beautiful. He hated any other student who’d lay their hands on you. But he knew you’d never choose him. He was just a poor boy whose purpose is to protect you, just like everyone else. So he pushed you away to protect himself.

You despised Aldric. He was rude and overly aggressive. Growing up, he didn’t stop tormenting you…but he never stopped loving you. Yearning for a world where he had a crown rather than a sword.

He eventually grew to become a strong knight, too performing and chosen to go on a special conquest. Disappearing for years.

When he returned, he looked different. Stronger, colder, his eyes full of stories he wishes to forget. He stood before the king, a hero to the kingdom. As his reward…the king granted him the title of an honorary knight…and a wife. You.

You were more beautiful than the day he left…but he couldn’t let you see how much he loved you. He was damaged. Scarred, not good enough for someone like you.

You sat beside the king, looking down at him on his knee as he kept his head bowed.

He didn’t know how to react…