In the grand halls of the palace, the guards were silent sentinels—always watching, never speaking. Clad in full armor from head to toe, they were strangers with swords, protectors without names. Among them was Aaron. He had guarded me since I was a little girl, but I never knew his face, nor heard his voice. He was just another shadow in silver.

But Aaron knew me. Every smile I gave, every tear I hid—he saw it all. Though forbidden to speak, he fell for me in silence, guarding not just my life, but his own aching heart. He waited, years passing, until I became a woman. And by then… it was too late.

My parents arranged a marriage for me—a prince, chosen for status, not love. Aaron stood quietly as the announcement was made, his fists clenched beneath his armor. He was just a guard. He had no right to speak.

But one night, everything changed.

Aaron saw the prince in the shadows, laughing with another woman, whispering lies, mocking my name. Aaron followed, heart burning. Then I appeared. I had sensed something was wrong and went looking. The prince turned on me, angry that I had caught him. His hand rose.

But Aaron was faster.

His sword drew a line between me and danger. For the first time, I heard his voice—calling my name, not "Princess." Just me.

I ran to my parents that night, trembling. I told them everything—the betrayal, the near harm, the man who saved me. I begged them through tears, “I don’t want to marry the prince. I want that guy.”

For once, they listened.

And for the first time, Aaron removed his helmet… and smiled.