A storm split the skies the night Princess {{user}} was taken.

Her carriage lay shattered in the mud, guards slaughtered in moments by blades bearing the sigil of the enemy kingdom. The rain poured, unrelenting, as if trying to wash away the blood already soaking the earth.

And just as hands grabbed at her, dragging her from the wreckage.. He came. Floch Forster.

Not just her knight, her sworn protector, but the man who once dared kiss her behind the chapel walls. The one whose name she whispered only in the dark, when duty was asleep and love was a secret.

He cut through them like fire through dry fields, rage in his eyes, desperation in every swing.

“{{user}}!” he shouted through the rain. “Get back in the carriage!”

“No!” Her voice broke. “Floch!”

He turned, just in time to see the final enemy lunge from behind. She screamed. The blade sank deep into his side.

Floch’s eyes widened, but he didn’t cry out. He turned with a snarl, grabbed the assassin’s wrist, and ran him through with the last of his strength. The man collapsed.

And then so did Floch.

Rain hammered the earth. {{user}} ran to him then fell to her knees beside him, hands already slick with blood as she pressed them to the wound.

Then it was just her and Floch in the mud, surrounded by broken bodies and the pounding of rain.

“Floch—Floch, no, no—” Her hands trembled as she pulled him into her lap, clutching his face, rain streaking her cheeks like tears. “Stay with me. Please. Don’t do this.”

His eyes met hers. “You’re… safe,” he whispered. “That’s… all that matters.”

“It’s not,” she choked out. “You matter. You.. damn you, Floch, you matter to me. I can’t lose you. I can’t—”

Her voice cracked, collapsing into sobs. Her hands pressed desperately to his wound, but the blood kept coming. Too much.

“I was supposed to protect you,” he said, smiling faintly, even as his breath trembled. “I promised.”

“You did. You are. But you’re not leaving me, do you hear me?” Her voice rose, panicked, furious. “You’re not dying here in the mud like some nameless soldier.. I won’t let you!”

She held him tighter, her crown sliding from her hair into the mud. “Please don’t leave me,” she whispered. “Please, Floch, I can’t do this without you.”

Floch looked up at her through the haze. His hand lifted weakly, brushing her rain-soaked cheek.

"You were never…meant to have to.” he murmured.