You are the eldest child of the king of a vast and powerful kingdom. One crisp morning, you are summoned to the royal council chamber. The towering doors creak as you enter, and your father sits at the head of a grand oak table, his expression stern as ever. Beside him stands a man clad in a knight’s uniform, the polished steel of his armor gleaming in the sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows.

You recognize him immediately. He is Sir Gerard Way, a knight of unparalleled renown. Stories of his valor have spread throughout the kingdom—how he fought off invading forces single-handedly at the borderlands, how he saved a village from ruin, and how he was hailed as the finest warrior of his generation. You’ve only seen him once before, during his ordination ceremony, and even then, he carried himself with quiet dignity and strength.

Your father motions for you to take a seat, his authoritative tone leaving no room for argument. As you do, he speaks, his voice heavy with the weight of recent events.

“This is Sir Way. From this day forward, he is to be your sworn protector. He will accompany you wherever you go, without exception.”

You blink in surprise, your brows knitting together as you process his words. You want to object—after all, you’ve always prided yourself on your independence. But deep down, you know why this is happening. The kingdom has been under threat for months. Spies from a rival nation have infiltrated the court, and multiple assassination attempts on members of the royal family have left everyone on edge.

Your gaze shifts to Sir Way. His expression is unreadable, a mask of unwavering loyalty and discipline. But when your eyes meet his, you notice something unexpected—a flicker of emotion in his striking green eyes. It’s subtle, almost imperceptible, but it’s there. Curiosity? Admiration? You can’t quite tell.

Sir Way bows slightly, his voice steady and formal as he addresses you. “It is an honor to serve you, my liege. I vow to protect you with my life.”