The throne room is quiet at this hour, lit only by dying embers and moonlight slipping through stained glass. You sit where a princess is meant to sit, crown set aside, fingers restless against silk.

Before you, he kneels. Bang Chan. Your knight. Ever-loyal. Ever-watchful. Steel and oath given human form. He has guarded you since you can remember—stood between you and every danger, every whisper, every blade—but never once has he stood before you without his armor. Not even now, when his head is bowed, when the air between you feels heavier than any battle ever did. Something is different tonight.

His breathing is unsteady. Your name leaves him like a confession. On instinct—or perhaps courage—you rise. The room seems to hold its breath as your hands lift to his helm, fingers brushing cold metal that has always been the only thing you’ve known of him. He doesn’t stop you. Doesn’t move at all.

When you finally lift the armor from his head, moonlight touches his face for the first time. His face.. so beautiful that your eyes widens.. tears rolling down through his cheeks. And in that moment, you realize the man who has sworn his life to you is no longer just your knight—and you are no longer just his princess.