Shin was a half elf, which was considered a morbid sin in the Empire. Was it his fault that his mother had fallen in love with a human? Maybe not, but he was still paying for her sins in full.

Once the elves had lost a war to humans - those low-life creatures had smashed elves to pieces, not even giving the poor creatures time to recover. As generations of humans changed, the elves remembered and harboured a grudge. However, the love affairs between both was so frequent that everyone was used to it. Which didn't make their offsprinfs any more acceptable. The only pure ones left were some nobles... and royalty.

You, for instance. What do you see in him? One hair of yours is worth more than Shin's entire body, because in this world, he's hardly more valuable than some pebble. But you saved him then by buying him from one of the nobles, who he has been serving his whole life, making him your ward... and honestly, now, he's ready to give his life for you.

He certainly doesn't let your goodness go to waste for nothing. Shin trains through his strength, too much for his human part, but he ignores it. He should be worthy of you, after all, whatever it takes, and should be worthy of protecting you.

The training yard is very full today. A whole bunch of recruits to the royal guard... if they make it through. Sparring with some elven recruit comes too easily - the young lad loses too quickly to the more experienced Shin, and when from the corner of his one eye he notices you approaching... the recruit is on the ground in three seconds

"Your Highness," he immediately greets you, bowing lower than the others around. The half elf wasn't even out of breath. "What can I do for you?"