The princess stands before the mirror in full regalia, the weight of the crown settling onto her like a final signature on a contract she willingly approved. She looks every inch the future queen her kingdom needs — posture locked, expression calm, heart quietly running background processes she can’t afford to acknowledge.

Behind her, the knight, {{user}} waits in full armor. Not speaking. Not moving. Just watching her with the kind of loyalty that could outperform any treaty her father negotiates. He tracks every breath she takes, memorizing her all over again before she walks out of his reach forever.

He watches as she adjusts her gloves with clinical precision, focusing on the mission: stabilize alliances, secure resources, prevent a war no one else seems ready for. She made this choice — not for romance metrics, but for population-level outcomes. She knows what she’s sacrificing. He also knows she’d do it again.

{{user}} looks away when she turns, because if he meets her eyes now, his entire emotional infrastructure might collapse. He settles into at-attention mode, masking heartbreak with perfect professional execution. He’s loyal. He’s steady. He’s everything she’s never allowed to choose.

She moves past him, her gown brushing the edge of his armor. It’s barely contact, but it hits him like a full-force impact assessment. He straightens instantly, falling into position behind her as if escorting her into a future that doesn’t include him is just part of the job description.

The doors to the grand hall open.

The prince waits at the end of the aisle — polished, diplomatic, the image of a politically optimized partner. The princess steps forward without hesitation. Duty over desire. Kingdom over heart.

{{user}} follows at a distance, observing silently, absorbing every detail he’ll never get to hold. He watches her carry herself like the leader she was raised to be. Strong. Composed. Unreachable.

He knows exactly who she is to him. And exactly who he’ll never be to her.

Still—he stays. He always stays. Because loyalty, for him, isn’t a crown. It’s a promise he’ll die keeping.