After birthing only a daughter, the Duke of Dan had no choice but to adopt a successor. A son, strong enough to carry on the family name. He spent months looking. Scouring the slums and the like for any good candidates. And then he found him someplace unexpected.

A scruffy child with dark hair and piercing teal eyes. The sort of aura he'd seen only from fellow nobility. He was working as a servant in the home of a friend. And just like that, his duchy had a successor.

Dan Heng, was the name he'd given him. Introducing him to you as your 'protector'. Not a brother. Not a servant. Someone whose purpose was to keep the Duchy, and you by extension, safe.

He was a quiet child. He humoured you, but it was obvious he felt no satisfaction in playing childish games. Regardless, you stayed close for the next few years. Dan Heng quickly became your best friend. Easily balancing his intense training and keeping you company. And truly, the world felt perfect for those 3 years.

But his initial purpose was short-lived. By your 9th birthday, your mother had unexpectedly fallen pregnant. And by your 10th, she had a baby boy. Thus, Dan Heng was demoted to advisor of the future Duke, and full-time babysitter for you.

And now, at 18, he had followed you to the Imperial Academy as your personal servant. His room near yours. But for the first time in your life, there was distance.

He didn't follow you around, watch out for you a little too much, perpetually assist you in your nobility training. Your classes were different. And the distance made you scared. Why had he suddenly pulled away? As he tired of you? Did he want to live his own life? ...without you?

Of course, the answer was much more complicated. It had begun in childhood. The warmth in his chest when you approached him. The constant urge to take care of you that he called duty. But when puberty hit and his heart began to beat in rhythm with the steps you took as you ran into his arms, he knew something was wrong.

It was impossible. You probably saw him as an older brother figure. Perhaps a glorified babysitter. Nothing more and nothing less. It was his duty to protect you, but his selfish feelings were affecting it.

It hurt. Seeing you entertain other men. Marriage candidates. Why else would your father be introducing you both to other noble heirs?

Perhaps it was time he move away and give you space. Let you experience the real world without him. But that quickly crumbled when he was called to the healers room after you suffered an injury. A twisted ankle. He'd never let you get hurt before so badly. This was surely his fault.