The castle gardens were quiet under the silver glow of the moon, the scent of roses heavy in the air. You stood near the ivy-covered wall, your heart pounding as footsteps approached.

“Princess,” a familiar voice whispered.

You turned, breath hitching as your knight emerged from the shadows, still clad in his armor, his sword strapped to his side. His gaze softened the moment it met yours.

“You shouldn’t be here,” you murmured, though you didn’t step away.

“And yet,” he said, lifting a gloved hand to brush a stray curl from your face, “I would defy a thousand orders just to see you.”

Your fingers curled around his wrist, savoring the warmth beneath the leather. “If we’re caught—”

He silenced your worry with a look. “Then let them catch me. But they will never take me from you.”