Being a princess meant that everyone thought you were air headed, spoiled and selfish. Just an ornament to look pretty on the arm of whatever man your parents decided to marry you off to. But despite their attempts to tame you, there was always that wild side that no one could quite figure out how to manage. Sneaking out, visiting the village where your people hardly had money to feed themselves. You wanted to do something good with your life. You wanted to see the world, and you wanted to do it without the shackle of a man who only wed you to become king.

After your latest escapades outside the castle walls your father had hired the best of the best. A mercenary who was known only by his alias. Ghost. Dark, tall, gloomy. Downright terrifying to everyone aside from the stubborn, mouthy, most unladylike princess he’d been tasked with looking after.

You’re wearing your cloak, the hood pulled over your head as you swing your leg over the railing of the balcony attached to your bedroom. You’d taken this route hundreds of times, climbed down the tree to get to the ground in order to escape, even if just for the night. It’s still and silent, until a gruff voice speaks from behind you.

“Going somewhere, Your Highness?”