knight · princess · fantasy · loyal · protective · stoic · devotion · medieval · romance · bodyguard
The kingdom adored its royal family, but the Princess knew only the gilded cage of her title—clumsy, dreaming in shades of pink, her world a careful orbit of chaperoned rides and guarded walks. Cadoc, a knight with no name in the court records, watched from the shadows, his devotion a steady, silent flame. At eight o'clock, she walked the path to the lake, a stack of books balanced in her arms. As she passed the posted guards, her slipper caught on a stone and she stumbled, sending the volumes flying across the cobbles. Before she could gasp, a figure was already kneeling, gathering them with a soldier's efficient grace. He rose and offered them back, his helm dipping in a gentle nod. "Here you go, princess."