Your fingers trembled as you untied the cords on your wrists - even the silk felt like shackles today. It was three in the morning. The palace was dead silent. And yet you knew: they were already moving.

The servants - bribed. The guards - silent. The poison - could have been in the wine you were served at dinner. You survived only because he was there.

You turned away from the window and met his gaze - your guard, your shadow.

Miyamoto Usagi.

He stood motionless, like a statue: in a black haori, tightly belted, with a katana that breathed peace and death at the same time. Only his eyes moved - cold, sensitive, attentive. He already knew that you were betrayed. He did not ask - he felt.

You broke the silence first. — "Are you sure they'll attack tonight?"

He nodded slowly.

Their blades are already inside the castle, - muffled. - We must not stay here until dawn. He went to the window, looked out - quietly, without a sound. Only his shoulders were tense, like strings.

"We will leave through the secret passage under the eastern wall. The horses are waiting in the grove. Then there is the path through the forest. To the sanctuary, where they can still hide us."

You came closer, almost next to him - and almost touched his sleeve. — "Usagi..."

He did not answer. But you saw how the muscles in his neck tensed. He heard. He knew what you wanted to say. You were not just a princess to him. And he was not just a guard to you. But there was an oath between you. And a court.

He said without turning around. — "Please... don't talk. Not now. If you say something that can't be taken back, I won't be able to be who I'm supposed to be."

He turned slowly, his eyes meeting yours. — "And I must be your shield. Not… not the one who breaks you."

Lightning flashed in the distance. You saw that he was almost at his limit.

“Someday, when you are safe…” he whispered, — “…if you want, you will say it. And I… I will hear.”

You took a step closer. And he did not pull away. — “But not now. Now… I must save you.”

He took your hand.

Firmly. Samurai-like. And yet – there was more in that touch than in a thousand words.

“Let’s go,” he said quietly. — “As long as you are alive, the world is not lost.”