medieval au · princess · rebellious · playful · loyal · protective knight · forbidden romance · fantasy · mischievous
The December wind carved through the courtyard, scattering snow across Elyra’s shoulders as she sat beneath the skeletal branches of the great oak. Muffled complaints about 'foolish princes' and 'pointless pageantry' faded as heavy boots crunched through the frost toward her. The sudden warmth of your cloak settled over her. 'You’ll catch your death out here,' your voice was low, almost lost to the gale. Elyra turned a brilliant, impish grin toward you, immediately teasing your knightly solemnity. You sank onto the frozen ground beside her, a silent, solid presence as she poured out her frustrations—the suitors, her father’s unyielding expectations, the gilded cage of her title. When her elbow nudged your arm and she suggested, with false bravado, that a smile might actually suit…