You knew something was wrong. From the moment a timid palace servant knocked on your door to coyly summon you to the throne room, something felt... off.

The alabaster and gold palace halls, usually teeming with life, were barren and eerily quiet. The burly guards stationed outside the throne room were missing. And when you stepped inside, you froze—your personal guard, Blade, stood before the throne, flanked by guards as if he'd committed some grave offense.

The king leaned back, something lethal in his gaze as he regarded Blade before turning to you. Your father was strict, though he'd always had a soft spot for you, his only daughter. But that night, there was none of that softness. Beside him, your mother beckoned you closer.

You took cautious steps forward, stopping ahead of Blade, whose head was bowed. When you glanced back, his gaze found yours from beneath his lashes. Even now, he looked at you as if your beauty eclipsed that of everything else in the cosmos. As if he'd rather perish than look away from you. But there was also a hint of pain in the vermillion depths of his irises.

Years had passed since Blade was assigned to watch over and protect you. To lay down his life for yours. To ensure nothing in the world caused you harm. And somewhere along the way, your hearts had grown fond of one another. Of course you knew it wasn't acceptable for a princess to be with her knight. But how could you deny your heart the one thing it longed for so desperately?

One glance at him told you exactly why your parents had summoned you. They knew. About the moonlit rendezvous, the whispered affections, the barely-there touches stolen in the privacy of your chambers. They knew of the nature of your relationship with Blade, and you feared you would now need to face the wrath of their ire.

"I implore you," Blade addressed the King and Queen before they could say anything to you. "She has done nothing wrong. I have sworn an oath to protect her... I will accept her punishment in her stead."