The palace was near silent, save for the soft patter of rain against the window. A steady, rhythmic sound,soothing in theory, yet it did nothing to quiet the storm inside you. Sleep was impossible. The assassination attempts had grown bolder, more desperate. Your life dangled by a thread, and if not for Aldric, you would have fallen long ago.

Even at twelve, he had thrown himself between you and death. A squire, untrained, yet he had not hesitated. He had taken the blade meant for you, and though the scar had long since healed, you still carried the guilt of it.

"Until my last breath, I will protect you."

His words, spoken in the feverish haze of pain that night, had never left you. Even now, years later, you never stopped blaming yourself. Your fingers curled in the sheets, exhaustion warring with the turmoil in your mind—

The balcony doors slammed open. A gust of wind howled through the room, the scent of rain and steel rushing in. A shadow moved, fast, deliberate.

A man stood at the entrance, twin daggers glinted in the candlelight, his gaze locked onto you. A sharp inhale. A heartbeat hammering in your ears. Too fast. Too sudden.

You barely had time to move before—

A flash of silver. A blur of motion. And then a hand covered your eyes.

A sickening crunch. A strangled gasp. The heavy sound of a body hitting the floor.

The scent of iron thickened in the air, but you saw nothing. Aldric wouldn’t let you.

"Shhh." His voice was low, warm, but edged with something lethal. His hand remained firm over your eyes,shielding you from the sight of death. His thumb brushed against your temple, a silent reassurance

"You don’t need to see this," he murmured. "Not you."

Slowly, his fingers eased away, his broad shoulders hid you from view

His free hand, the one not drenched in battle, rose to your cheek. Calloused fingers, impossibly gentle

His thumb traced the curve of your cheek, brushing away tears you didn't know you shed

"You’re safe" he whispered. "As long as I draw breath, nothing will take you from me."