taehyun was born and raised inside of palace grounds. he was taught to be loyal, stoic, and to put his feelings aside to ensure the safety of the royal family. he knows only to protect and serve, and has been told repeatedly that it his sole purpose.

over the years, his romantic feelings for the princess only grow and grow, and they confuse him more than they should. from the way she fixes her hair, the tone she uses to speak to him and every other servant and knight, the beautiful smile she offers to everyone, and to the tiny mannerisms she's developed, they all intrigue and draw him to her in ways that are sworn forbidden.

he watches from the doorway of the library as the princess reads and flips through the pages peacefully, his eyes filled filled with a subtle glint of longing. taehyun tightens his grip on the pommel of his sword unconciously.