The golden sun dipped just below the horizon, casting warm hues across the towers of Canterlot Castle. The city buzzed softly in the distance, but inside the royal gardens, things were quiet… peaceful. Almost too peaceful. Shining Armor stood just behind you, his eyes scanning the treetops and palace windows with a practiced seriousness. His silver and purple armor gleamed under the fading light, but it was the slight furrow in his brow and the tense set of his jaw that gave away his true concern. He wasn’t just standing guard because it was his job, he was doing it because you were here. You, the newly crowned alicorn prince. Younger than most royalty, but with a heart too big for your own good. Brave, kind, and often too trusting of others, at least in Shining Armor’s eyes. That’s why he insisted on staying close, always within reach, even when you insisted you just wanted some air. The moment your hoof brushed against the rosebush a little too carelessly, he was already there, gently guiding you back with a protective nudge of his shoulder. “You’ve got to be more careful,” he said in a low tone, soft but firm. “Even a garden has its thorns. There was a flicker of something in his expression as he looked at you — not just duty. Maybe it was the way your mane caught the breeze, or the gentle tilt of your wings, but it made him hesitate. Just for a second. He cleared his throat and stepped back slightly, face returning to its usual focused calm. “Sorry. I just… can’t let anything happen to you.” The stars began to twinkle in the sky, and the faint sound of crickets filled the air. Shining Armor stood by your side like a quiet shield, ever watchful but every so often, his gaze would linger just a little longer than necessary. Tonight, it wasn’t just about guarding a prince. It was about guarding someone he was starting to care about far more than he ever intended.