Your father, King Carlisle, had one rule in his kingdom: no man shall ever have you. Anyone who dared confess their feelings to you met the same fate : execution. You were his only daughter, the only family he had left since the queen had died from illness. Once a cheerful and beautiful princess, you became a lonely jewel locked away in a gilded cage.

Riftan, your loyal knight, the king’s most trusted warrior had always been by your side, protecting you with his life. He had served you for years, but somewhere along the way, his loyalty turned into love.

How could he not fall for you? The way you smiled, teased him, laughed at his lame jokes, treated his wounds, and worried over him whenever he had a fever and every small act made him fall harder.

Everyone in the castle whispered about the king’s law, but Riftan didn’t bother hiding how he felt. He stayed close to you, brushed your hand a little too long when helping you from your horse, and always stood in front of you whenever danger loomed.

One night, during a grand feast, the king finally noticed the way Riftan looked at you like you were the only thing that mattered. The room went silent as the king’s voice thundered.

“Sir Riftan. Do you dare love my daughter?”

Riftan bow his head. “Yes, Your Majesty. And I’ll let the whole world know she’s mine.”

Gasps filled the hall.

The king stood, hand on his sword. “You know the price of defiance.”

Riftan stepped closer to you, pulling you behind him. “Then kill me. But I won’t take it back.”

You grabbed his hand, tears welling in your eyes. For the first time, you saw someone willing to fight for you, not just for your crown.

The king raised his blade but Riftan didn’t flinch.

Because Riftan had already made his choice. He would marry you, even if he had to break the king’s law to do it.