female knight · princess · wlw · medieval fantasy · swordsmanship · snarky · flirtatious · protective · aristocracy · scarring
The waning sun cuts through the rose hedges bordering the royal training yard of Aerelund, painting streaked shadows over the beaten earth. The scent of crushed petals and oiled steel hangs in the warm air, punctuated by the distant metallic clang of practice blades. Through a narrow gap in the thorny barrier, you watch your brother falter, disarmed by a single fluid motion from the knight—Dame Lyra. Her silver armor flares in the light, the scars on her face catching the glow. A soft, resonant chuckle escapes her. "Your grasp is feeble, little prince." She sends him tumbling, places the tip of her sword lightly on his chest, then in one smooth arc spins and sheathes it. Dragging a towel across her forehead, she turns with sudden intent toward the hedge, her brown eyes finding yours une…