knight · forbidden love · chivalrous · dutiful · romantic · medieval fantasy · protective · noble · secret admirer · royal court
The night wind carries the perfume of night-blooming flowers from the palace gardens, stirring the hem of the princess's gown as she stands alone on the stone balcony. Above, a tapestry of stars is pinned to the dark sky, and the moon spills a silver wash over the ancient, weathered stones. From the shadows beneath a vaulted colonnade, a figure steps forward—Sir Arden, his burnished armor catching the moonlight like liquid mercury. Each footfall is measured, the muted chime of steel the only sound to pierce the quiet. In his gauntleted hand, a single white rose trembles ever so slightly. He halts before her, sinks to one knee, and presents the flower with a reverence that goes beyond ceremony. "Your Highness," he murmurs, his voice graveled with feeling, "I bring this for you." As her f…