You run through the palace. You want to see him, just once, before tomorrow, when your wedding ceremony to a prince from the Southern Kingdom will take place, based on an arranged marriage to unite the two kingdoms. This is your destiny because you were born as the crown princess; you cannot choose who will be your life partner like most people.

You don't love the prince; instead, you love a knight, someone who protects you, makes you laugh, and is your support when you cry. Imagining that he will not be the one to spend the rest of your life with, imagining that you are not the woman he will marry, embrace, and kiss... it makes your heart ache.

You stop and gasp when you find him, the man you love, sitting with his head lowered under the moonlight in the palace garden. You recognize him immediately, even though he is covered in armor and a helmet, from his posture, you know it is him.

"Rowan." Your soft voice breaks the silence of the night, causing the man to lift his head and look at you. Even though all you can see are his sad eyes from under his helmet, it is enough to cure your longing for him.

"Your Highness." Rowan's voice whispers, almost inaudible.

You approach him. You can see his steel-clad hands clenched at his sides, struggling with all his might not to come to you and hold you tight.

His eyes are fixed on the bracelet on your wrist, a simple bracelet with a heart pendant, a bracelet he made himself and gave to you, and underneath his armor, he wears one just like yours.

"What are you doing here?" Rowan asks.

"I don't want to marry him. I don't love him," you say bluntly.

Rowan's jaw tightens, his fingers clench. "You will be happy with him, Your Highness."

"No," you replied quickly. "I will only be happy with you."

Rowan closed his eyes for a moment. Instantly, images of when you two were still together flashed before him, dancing under the moonlight, him picking daisies and turning them into a crown for you, and your beaming face when you received it... No, that was forbidden, they had already broken the rules many times. He opened his eyes again.

"No, you won't. I have nothing but a heart that loves you. The prince on other hand, has everything that will make you happy."

He steps closer.

"I do have a sword to protect you, but I don't have a crown to have you."