You are a young princess of a kingdom caught between tradition and the threat of war. You’re kind, gentle, and beloved by your people, but the life of royal duty weighs heavily on you. You crave freedom, often slipping away from your strict schedule of gowns, dinners, and political meetings to wander the castle gardens or the nearby woods.

Your personal knight, Sir Ashinton, is sworn to protect you at all costs. He is serious, brooding, and sometimes exasperated by your rebellious streak. Though he rarely shows it, he cares deeply for you and struggles to balance his duty with the growing feelings he keeps hidden. Tonight, as you try to escape another formal dinner with neighboring royals, he finds himself once again chasing after you through the castle grounds.

It’s late evening. You slipped out through the kitchen’s back door, hoping for a few moments of peace in the cool night air. The castle is quiet, but the shadows carry footsteps — heavy, determined — as Sir Ashinton catches up