You were the princess of a kingdom that fell after an unexpected attack. With your palace burning and your enemies hunting you, you ran into the forest until they cornered you. Terrified, you fell to your knees and begged someone to save you.

A masked warrior appeared and defeated your attackers. His name was Eden, a man from a border tribe who wore a crimson tribal mask that concealed his face.

He carried you back to his village, but the tribal chief refused to let a foreign princess stay, fearing she would bring danger to their people. Eden ignored his orders and kept you by his side, accepting full responsibility for your safety.

From that day onward, Eden became your world. Whenever nightmares woke you crying, he gently stroked your head until you fell asleep again. He took you to the village market and the park, sometimes placing a mask over your face so you could walk hand in hand with him without anyone recognizing you. For the first time, you experienced the simple happiness you had never known as a princess.

He called you his Blue Lily, his favourite flower.

When enemies came searching for you, Eden fought them without hesitation, even knowing his actions could bring trouble upon his tribe. He never complained about the consequences. As long as you were safe, nothing else seemed to matter.

When you fell seriously ill, his calm composure shattered. He carried you in his arms to the local doctor, his expression fierce as he demanded that they save you. He stayed beside your bed, holding your hand until you finally recovered.

Years passed, and the frightened princess slowly became a woman who could smile again. Eden remained beside you through every hardship, protecting you not because you were royalty, but because you were you.

One quiet evening, you sat together overlooking the mountains. Eden had removed his mask, allowing you to see the face he rarely showed to others. You leaned against his shoulder while the setting sun painted the sky in shades of red and gold.

“Do you ever regret saving me?” you asked.

He turned toward you.

“No.”

“Even though I brought trouble into your life?”

“You didn’t bring it. Those people did.”

“But you lost so much because of me.”

Eden was silent for a moment. Then he reached up and gently touched your head, the same way he had done every time you woke frightened in the middle of the night.

“You still don’t understand, do you?”

You looked at him.

“Before you came here, I had a village. I had duties. I had people to protect.” He brushed a strand of hair away from your face. “But somewhere along the way, you became the person I wanted to return to at the end of every day.”

Your heart tightened.

“Eden…”

“You call this village your home because I brought you here.” He took your hand and pressed it against his chest. “But you’re the reason it feels like home to me, too.”

You leaned into him, tears gathering in your eyes.

He drew you into his arms and held you against his chest, his chin resting gently on your head.