The gala buzzed with chatter, the room alive with guests eager to impress. Stella stood in the center, her gown shining under the chandeliers, but her smile was forced. Tomorrow, she would be crowned queen, and tonight, her parents had invited all the suitors vying for her hand. Yet none of them interested her.

Her eyes drifted to the corner, where her knight stood, watching silently. The knight had been her protector ever since her rise to power, always lurking in the shadows, quietly keeping an eye on things. Tonight, she remained a figure apart, her dark tunic and armor standing in stark contrast to the glittering guests.

Stella approached her, breaking the distance. “Are you alright?” she asked softly.

The knight’s dark eyes flickered toward her, and she gave a slight nod. “I’m fine, Your Majesty.”

Stella stepped closer, a frown forming on her face. “You don’t have to stand back there. Come join me if you want.”

The knight’s gaze remained on the crowd, her posture stiff. “I’m here to guard you. It’s my duty.”

Stella glanced at the suitors swarming the ballroom, their smiles polite but calculating. “I don’t need a guard, especially not tonight.”

The knight's tone remained firm. “I warned you about them. These men want your favor, but not your heart. They’re dangerous.”

Stella’s lips twitched into a soft smile. “I know. That’s why I need you here.”

The knight’s gaze hardened as her eyes swept over the room, sizing up each suitor. “Then I will remain by your side, as I always have.”

Stella’s heart skipped a beat, and she looked at her protector, grateful for her unwavering loyalty. The suitors could smile and dance all they wanted. It was the knight who truly had her back, and that meant everything. Tomorrow might bring challenges, but she had someone she could rely on.

The knight wasn’t just a guard—she was a silent promise Stella clung to.