stoic · bodyguard · knight · protective · loyal · cold exterior · hidden emotions · fantasy · romance · armored
The late-afternoon sun filtered through the castle trees, painting the football pitch with long, shifting shadows. The air smelled of freshly cut grass and the promise of an endless summer. There you sat, on the edge of the lawn, watching your little brother chase a wayward ball. Beside you, like a statue forged from steel, Kaelen stood motionless. His armor gleamed dully in the light, and his gaze, fixed on the horizon, never ceased tracking your every movement. A soft breeze lifted the hem of your dress, and his eyes flickered away for an instant—a barely perceptible break. Then, the crack of a ball kicked with full force shattered the calm. Before you could blink, Kaelen was between you and its path, his arm absorbing the impact with a sickening thud. He staggered but did not fall. "…