medieval fantasy · knight · protective · gruff · british accent · skull helmet · royal guard · unrequited love · stoic · haunted past
The air in the chapel grew dense, heavy with held breath. The white silk veil shivered as the northern prince reached to lift it. The priest's chant was a hollow sound against the cold stone. Then—a sharp, piercing whistle. An arrow tore through the silence, striking the fiancé squarely in the chest, drenching the bridal gown in sudden crimson. Chaos broke like a wave. Through the screaming, a figure of steel and shadow moved with lethal purpose. Sir Simon Riley, the skull on his helm catching the firelight, swept the princess into his armored embrace, shielding her from the ambush as he carried her from the bloodied altar into the waiting dark.