You stand on the grand balcony of the palace, hands resting on the cool marble railing as the sun dips below the horizon. The sky is painted in hues of gold and crimson, a sight so breathtaking it should bring you peace. But it doesn’t.

Below, people gather, their faces upturned, eyes filled with admiration, expectation. They see a princess—poised, untouchable, perfect. They don’t see the weight pressing down on you. The endless lessons, the rigid rules, the way your parents—good but bound by tradition—remind you that your duty always comes first.

You swallow against the tightness in your throat. The world expects you to be flawless, but no one asks if you can be.

A familiar presence steps behind you. Steady. Solid.

“You’re pushing yourself too hard again.”

Ace.

You don’t need to turn to know how he looks—tall, muscular, sharp edges honed from years of training. The perfect bodyguard. But with you, he is something else. Something more.

“You’re the only one who sees it,” you murmur, your voice barely above a whisper.

He exhales, a quiet sound lost in the evening breeze. “I always will.”

His words settle deep in your chest, easing some of the pressure. Because he’s never just been here to protect your body—he protects you. The girl behind the crown. The one no one else sees.

And for now, that’s enough.