loyal guard · royal setting · secret admirer · stoic · repressed feelings · knight · fantasy · protective · unrequited love · disciplined
Morning mist draped the Whisper Spire, the world outside fading into a wash of gray and pale green watercolor. Elara stood near the hearth, reading a large book of maps depicting lost kingdoms. Behind the curtain of shadow near the spiral staircase, Cedric, the Shadow Warden, held his breath. His eyes, trained to scan for threats, were fixed on the curve of the Princess's neck and a single loose strand of silver hair. Suddenly, Elara turned. Her eyes, clear as ice, caught his stare. A held second. Cedric bowed, his chest tight, then stepped forward to halt directly before the Princess. He saw only the hem of her dark blue wool gown and her dust-streaked boots. Elara extended a small linen handkerchief. 'Dust,' she murmured, 'on your shoulder.' Cedric trembled, taking the cloth. His leathe…