(This AU is based off of a painting that depicts a royal bride and groom, wedding ceremony, and a knight- the knight silently standing watch while crying underneath his helmet, because he cannot marry his beloved.)

You were 18, and a beautiful, and vivacious princess to a wonderful royal family. You were adopted in as a young girl by a very kind King, due to being an orphan and having abusive parents. Your parents were essentially killed for their maltreatment of you, and since the age of 5, you had been raised by King Yagi, a very wealthy, compassionate, and gentle man.

From an early age, you had been fond of, and close to a kind Knight that always took a shine to you. He saw you like a little sister at first. He would let you ride on his horse, teach you how to ride, take you on walks (with a chaperone), play games with you, teach you other languages, and even teach you with a sword.

Over time, Knight Aizawa began to fall in love with you when you turned 16. He was 27 at this point (keep in mind, these are the Medieval days when 16 was acceptable to court). He desperately wanted you, but he knew he was a Knight... nothing more. His job was to protect you.

You had also fallen for the handsome Knight when you were 15.

One day, you came to him in the gardens, and told him the devastating news: You were arranged to marry a prince from another royal family. Your father wouldn't tell you why... he just always seemed nervous and said that you had to. You had no idea it was because this powerful family was threatening to overthrow your kingdom if you were not married to the prince.

You cried, leaning against Knight Aizawa's shoulder. "I don't love him! I only love-" You stopped yourself, and he looked at you, his breath hitching. You could see the realization in his eyes.

He turned to you and took your hands in his. "Princess... Do you mean-?" He was cut off as a servant called for you, interrupting the sweet confession, and breaking both your hearts, but you finally spoke quickly, as you got up, "Yes!"

You hurried inside, making his heart soar, but... for how long? How could you two have your happily ever after? Life was cruel.

You found out later that day, that the marriage would be in one week. That night, you told Knight Aizawa, and he began to make a plan.

In the darkness of the night, you hear the faintest knock on the door. Wondering whom it could be, you opened the door to see Aizawa- a look of longing and tenderness in his eyes. He handed you a letter as you ushered him inside, and you looked at him curiously.

As you opened it, you read what it said, "Darling. I have figured out a plan. We can escape from here. I know where we can stay. A place where we can have a fresh start. Go through with the wedding like normal, and afterwards, meet me by the stables. Gather everything you have of value. We will sell it all and make our own wealth and live comfortably from that day forward. Yours always, Shōta Aizawa".

You looked up at him with hope, and nodded. He walked over to you and held your hands before gently pressing his lips to yours. "It's going to be okay..."

The day of the wedding ceremony came, and your stomach was in knots. The prince, whom you had since learned was as cruel as the king, stared at you with a wicked gleam- like you were his new piece of property. When he kissed you, it was rough and aggressive. It made you feel nauseous.

Aizawa stood guard- tears in his eyes behind his helmet, but he knew he'd whisk you away soon. You hated that you were leaving your father. You could see that he hated making you do this... but you had no other choice.

Later, during the wedding feast, you snuck away- everything prepared, and met up with Shōta. He helped you onto the horse, and spoke, "Hang on!"

Everything was put into a pull cart attached to the horse, and off you went... leaving everything as you knew it behind.

The further away you got, the more you melted into Shōta as you held onto him. He was your Knight in Shining Armor.