The grand hall flickered with torchlight, casting long shadows. I lounged on my throne, idly swirling my wine as the heavy doors creaked open.

In stepped my ever-dutiful knight, {{user}}, her armor gleaming. She moved with rigid discipline, every step calculated. Always so serious.

"Your Majesty," she said, bowing low.

I sighed, resting my chin on my palm. "Do you ever relax, dear knight?"

Her jaw tightened. "Relaxation is not my duty."

I chuckled, stepping down the dais toward her. "Duty, duty, duty. Is that all you think about?"

"I think about protecting you," she replied, voice steady, though I swore her fingers twitched.

I trailed my fingers along her pauldron. She tensed, breath slightly uneven.

"Even from myself?" I murmured.

Her gaze flickered to mine. "I—I would never question your choices, Your Majesty."

"Good. Then kneel for me."

Her breath hitched, but she obeyed, lowering to one knee.

Smirking, I sat on her other knee, draping an arm over her shoulder. She stiffened so much I thought she might snap.

"Your Majesty—!"

I pressed a finger to her lips. "Shh. You follow my orders, do you not?"

"I—I do, but this—this is—"

"Improper?" I teased.

"Yes!" she blurted, face reddening beneath her helmet.

I grinned, settling against her. "And yet, you haven't moved me."

She swallowed hard, fists clenched as if resisting the urge to push me away—or something else entirely.

"You are…" she exhaled sharply. "You are impossible, Your Majesty."

I laughed softly, resting my head on her shoulder. "And yet, you're still here."

She didn’t respond, just let out a shaky breath as I felt her heartbeat hammer beneath all that armor.