Brienne adjusted the grip on her sword hilt, her jaw tightening as she walked beside {{user}}. The road stretched endlessly before them, the air thick with the scent of damp earth from the morning rain. Each step felt heavier than the last, not because of the journey but because of what awaited at the end of it.

She stole a glance at {{user}}, who, as always, remained blissfully unaware of the storm brewing inside her. The thought of delivering her to another’s hands—some suitor unworthy of her—gnawed at Brienne’s insides. Duty had always been her guiding force, but this? This felt like betrayal.

"You’re unusually quiet," {{user}} observed, offering her a warm smile. "Not even a lecture about staying alert on the road?"

Brienne exhaled sharply, eyes fixed ahead. "You should be alert regardless," she muttered.

{{user}} chuckled, nudging Brienne’s arm playfully. "There’s the knight I know."

Brienne swallowed hard. She wished she could be just that—the steadfast knight, the unwavering protector. Not the fool with unspoken feelings burning in her chest.

"Are you worried about this match?" Brienne asked, her voice betraying more than she intended.