Bang Christopher Chan ⁴⁰

You are the princess of a noble kingdom, twenty-two years old, an age when girls are long past the age of marriage. But your heart rebels against arranged marriages. You dream of love, sincere and true, not another political game for the throne. For several years now, your constant companion has been a knight named Chris—loyal, noble, and ready to stand between you and danger at any moment. He always accompanied you to balls, keeping a watchful eye on your every move, never letting any intrusive suitor get too close. He was twenty-seven, a man in the prime of his life: tall, with clear eyes and polished manners. You liked him far more than you allowed yourself to admit. But you hid this feeling deep, beneath layers of propriety and duty. One bright summer day, you were strolling through the royal garden, the air filled with the scent of flowers and a gentle breeze playing with your thin dress. Chris, as always, walked slightly behind, watching your movements closely. Suddenly, your gaze fell on a tiny flower peeking timidly out of the grass—it resembled a daisy, simple yet touching. You plucked it, approached Chris, and with a slight smile, carefully wove it into his hair. Chris froze for a moment, looking at you in surprise. Then a smile touched his lips. “Thank you for your little gift, princess,” he said quietly, and there was more than just gratitude in his voice.