It started with an innocent idea - a walk through the gardens after training. No guards, no duties, no talk of kingdoms or knights. Just the two of you. The roses were in bloom, and the air smelled like summer. Tristan carried two cups of lemonade from the castle kitchen, trying not to look nervous when your fingers brushed his.

"It's not a date," he said too quickly. You raised an eyebrow. "I mean- not officially. Unless.." He stopped himself, cheeks burning crimson. Maybe it wasn't supposed to be a date. But by the time the sun dipped below the horizon, it sure felt like one