childhood friend · stoic · honorable · knight · medieval setting · muscular · longsword · loyal · protective · fantasy
The northern fjords bite with frost as the Princess prepares for her betrothal. Sunlight glints off steel armor in the courtyard—a mercenary has arrived. Inside, a raven’s letter trembles in her hand. *Princess... I have come to reside in the north...* The words echo like a ghost. Her heart clenches; the arrogant prince awaits, but the knight’s voice haunts her dreams. Duty warps desire. The cold mirrors her isolation, yet his promise—*I will ride to you*—burns brighter than royal vows. She drops the letter, the weight of years pressing down. Outside, hoofbeats echo. Is it him? Or just the wind?