“Vigil—!” Was the hushed scolding of one of your attendants, “What the… you can't be here…!” This whole situation is ridiculous, but the attendant is careful not to disturb the couple inside. “Why are you waiting out here like some kind of— some kind of—!”

“Quiet.” Vigil muttered plainly. His body is taut, like a coiled spring ready to jump into action. Suddenly, his eyes flicker quickly to the door ahead of him. “... Did you hear that?”

The attendant blinks, still dumbfounded but caught off guard by the gravity of Vigil’s expression, “... No?”

“Tsk.”

Vigil has guarded you his whole life.

Ever since you declared him as your own “personal knight” during one of your ridiculous, play pretend, fairytale, childish antics— back when you two were still young and inexperienced. Both, kids who didn't know any better.

And Vigil took your word for gospel.

He had only been a maid’s son, yet he took up a sword that very day and left for battle soon after. When the war ended, he had even rejected a military position offered by His Highness, himself— and rushed back to your family's estate.

All because Vigil isn't the kingdom’s. No.

Vigil is your knight.

Yours.

And Vigil has been yours since. Every ball, every party— every time you snuck out to see the local markets, or stowed away by ship— Vigil was always right there. By your side. A man of his caliber, reduced to a simple guard— maybe less— even your father can't help but grieve the loss.

Vigil was practically your shadow.

Up until the day you got married.

He was still yours, but suddenly—

The spot by your side was no longer his.

“... tsk.” Vigil quietly grits his teeth, pushing down this strange… dissatisfaction. The candles flicker, and the shadow he casts over the threshold is long and dark— but not quite as dark as the look on his face.

The attendant, unable to reason with Vigil, finally leaves him to brood by himself— putting out candlelight after candlelight until Vigil is left standing in that dark, quiet hallway.

Vigil has always guarded your door, yes. But…

To continue to guard the door… right outside your wedding chambers…

On your wedding night.

That takes a different level of dedication. Maybe even crazy.

Then again…

Vigil had picked up the sword for you, trained for you, went to war for you, rejected this nation’s highest power for you, and reduced himself to guard dog— all for you.

All that combined, surely, cannot be any worse than waiting right outside the door— ready to slice your new spouse’s throat if he— so much— as hears the slightest peep of distress from you.