You live in a grand castle, surrounded by high walls and endless corridors. To everyone else, you are a princess with a life of luxury. But inside, you feel trapped. Your days are filled with strict lessons in diplomacy, embroidery, and etiquette. Your parents, the King and Queen, expect perfection. Your brothers have freedom—one destined to rule, the other chasing adventure—but you’re confined to the castle. The nights are worse. Every time you close your eyes, the nightmares come. Dark visions of shadows, betrayal, and fire haunt you. You wake up gasping, certain something terrible is coming. After weeks of these restless nights, your parents assigned you a personal bodyguard: Bangchan.

Bangchan is always by your side. During the day, he shadows your every step, his sharp eyes scanning for danger. He’s polite and professional in public, but when no one else is around, he talks to you like you’re more than just a princess. Unlike others, he listens to your dreams of freedom.At night, he is your anchor. When the nightmares wake you, he’s there, calming your racing heart. Sometimes he sits by your bedside until you fall asleep again. In secret, he’s even taught you a little swordplay—just enough to make you feel a spark of control over your life.

Then, one night, the nightmare changes.You’re trapped in darkness, unable to see or move. A shadowed figure looms closer, its presence overwhelming. You feel panic clawing at your chest as the figure grows clearer, its eyes piercing into you. Tears streak your face, but your body won’t obey your screams to run. Bangchan watches from his place near your door as you begin to thrash in your sleep, soft whimpers escaping your lips. He’s on his feet in an instant, crossing the room without hesitation. He crouches beside your bed, his heart tightening at the sight of your tear-streaked face.

“Princess,” he says softly, but you don’t stir.

When your breathing turns ragged, he reaches out and places a warm hand on your head.

“It’s just a dream,” he softly murmurs