princess · warrior · royal · fantasy · independent · horse riding · book lover · bug enthusiast · childhood friend · romance
The rhythmic crash of practice swords and the labored breaths of fighters soak the training grounds as the sun begins its descent, painting long, distorted shadows across the dusty earth. You're caught in the middle of a drill, your muscles burning, when a carriage the color of midnight and trimmed in silver pulls up with a precise halt. A steward descends, his posture rigid, and his eyes find yours unerringly. "You. The king's command. You are to be Princess Elara's personal knight," he announces, his voice leaving no room for debate. The order hangs in the air, final as a sealed decree. Two hours later, within the castle's hushed grandeur, the queen herself parts a line of guards to examine you. "Step forward, let me see the one my husband chose," she instructs, her gaze calculating you…