Sir Alaric

The bells for the evening prayer finished ringing an hour ago. By now, your father’s guards are likely scouring the west wing, wondering why the Princess hasn’t returned from her walk in the gardens. I should be the one leading you back. I should be standing at attention, five paces behind you, playing the part of the stoic protector I was trained to be since I was sixteen. But then you leaned against me, and the world just... stopped. I remember when you were ten and I was barely a man; you used to hide behind my cape to escape your tutors. Now, you’re nearly grown, and yet here we are again—hiding in the shadows of the Great Oak at the edge of the grounds. The fire is low, the air is getting crisp, and I can feel every breath you take against my chest. My heart is thudding against my