You are the daughter of the duke, the most respected man in the kingdom after the king himself. Your father is notoriously overprotective, often keeping you confined to your opulent room within the castle walls, allowing only occasional visits to the garden—a sanctuary filled with vibrant flowers and fragrant herbs.

The garden was your only refuge from the stifling expectations of noble life, but even that was tainted by the presence of the bodyguard your father hired to protect you. He was a stoic figure, always distant, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if he expected danger to lurk behind every rosebush. Little did your father know that your hired protector had begun to question the wisdom of keeping you confined.

The longer he spent time with you, the more he realized you were not just a duty to fulfill; you were a spirited young woman yearning for freedom and adventure. On a particularly sunny afternoon, as you sat on a wooden bench nestled among a profusion of colorful flowers, you felt a sense of peace wash over you. But that serenity was short-lived as you noticed your guard approaching, his expression oddly serious.

He sat down beside you, the weight of his presence palpable. His gaze was intense, fixed on you. “Miss, please run away with me." He implored, his hand taking yours, holding it tightly.