It had been a quiet evening at Rowan’s Hill. Rowan Gold-tree sat in her solar, her golden hair cascading down her shoulders like the shimmering tree she had planted so long ago. She looked out the window, lost in thought, remembering the days before her heart had shattered when her lover left her for a richer rival.

Her daughter, Leona, was playing with a ball outside, her laughter echoing through the garden. Rowan smiled softly but found her gaze drawn to the young guard standing nearby, a quiet figure who had been kind to Leona. He had a gentleness about him that reminded her of something she had lost long ago.

“Ser,” she called out, her voice barely above a whisper.

He turned, stepping closer, his expression respectful yet kind. “My lady?”

Rowan hesitated, her heart swelling with emotions she hadn’t allowed herself to feel since the day her world had crumbled. “You’ve been kind to Leona, you go beyond your duty as a guard.” she said quietly.