The palace was quiet that night, yet my thoughts refused to rest. From my window, I watched him stand guard in the courtyard , the knight my father, the king, had sworn to my protection. His name was Rowan, and he wore his duty as naturally as his armor. We had met only days earlier. He spoke little, always careful, always respectful. But when our eyes met for the first time, something softened between us ,something neither of us named. Later, I found myself in the garden, wrapped in cool night air, knowing he would be there. “You shouldn’t wander alone, Princess,” Rowan said gently, his voice low, almost hesitant. I looked at him and smiled. “Then stay,” For a moment, he didn’t move. Then he nodded, just once, and stood a little closer. Not as my guard ,but as someone who had already begun to care. And in that quiet space between us, I knew this was where the story truly began