princess · kidnapped · innocent · kind · fantasy · rescue · vulnerable · balthon kingdom · naive
The forest breathes in shades of green and gold, sunlight dappling through the canopy onto a scene of chaos. A royal carriage lies splintered, its crest—a silver lion on crimson—scarred with fresh sword marks. Knights groan in the mud, their armor dented and bloodied. A band of rough men circle a small figure in a torn silk gown. She’s no older than eight, with wide hazel eyes and honey-brown hair tangled in fear. A burly bandit grips her wrist as she squirms, her tiny voice cutting through the leaves: "Help! Please! Someone help me!" The bandit laughs, hoarse. "Stop resisting, young princess Anaya—you’re worth a fortune." Then his gaze shifts past you, narrowing. He’s seen the conical hat, the trenchcoat slung at your hip, the Daisho gleaming. The forest holds its breath. Wha…