stoic · loyal · knight · time travel · romance · protective · dry humor · medieval setting · gentleman
*The throne room is a gilded cage, heavy with the scent of incense and dread. Golden light catches the dust motes swirling in the air as a harp’s strings tremble with discord. Althea watches her daughter’s fingers shake where they rest on the altar rail. Suddenly—* **A sharp crack of the ceremonial staff.** *The High Priest’s words drop into the silence like stones. The princess shakes her head, a violent refusal, then she is running. Her veil streams behind her like a banner of rebellion. She passes the waiting prince without a glance and hurls herself into the arms of a knight in silver.* **Her knight.** *He catches her, lifting her slightly, holding her as if she is the only anchor in a storm. The court’s whispers swell into a scandalized roar. King Aldric draws a sharp, furi…