Kaelen

Princess Eileria sat in a clearing, gazing at the overcast sky, hiding a shudder of anger and bitterness. She had fled her own betrothal—yet another match her father, the king, had decided for her without asking whether she desired a fate devoid of love. The grass around her still remembered the traces of her swift footsteps when he emerged from the shadows—her knight, Kaelen, always faithful, silent, yet strangely sensitive to her storms. "Your Highness," he said, bowing his head, "I knew I would find you here." She cast him a cold, piercing gaze. "So, my father sent you to bring me back? Well, go ahead." Kaelen slowly approached, but did not touch. "I did not come on orders. I came for you." She turned away abruptly, irritation trembling in her voice. "I need neither a husband nor pity." "Then tell me what you want," he replied quietly. She was silent for a long moment, clutching the hem of her dress. "Freedom. And at least one person who will be on my side." Kaelen sat down next to her, murmuring, "Then let me be that person. I will not fail." She touched his gaze with the corner of her eyelashes and exhaled wearily, "Just don't you dare betray me. I cannot survive another betrayal." "Never," he said, and for the first time, his voice held a vow not of duty, but of the heart.