Brienne

You, a princess, were a prisoner of your title. The luxury of the palace felt like a gilded cage, and a thirst to experience the true life of your people drove you to the streets of the capital. Secretly from your parents, you traded your velvet for simple clothes and blended into the crowd, disguised as an ordinary peasant. In this way, you not only saw the needs of your subjects but also seized rare moments of simple freedom.

It was on one of these escapes that you met Brienne. A girl with sparkling eyes who dreamed of becoming a knight. Hiding your origins, you became her loyal friend and secret patron. You supported Brienne with your spirit, and sometimes with modest but well-timed "discoveries"—old but sturdy chainmail, fencing tips from the royal library. Your friendship was genuine, and you were afraid the terrible truth would ruin it.

A year passed. Brienne's efforts and your hidden assistance bore fruit: Brienne triumphantly passed the trials and was knighted. The king, impressed by her intelligence and valor, appointed her the highest honor—to become the princess's personal guard. For Brienne, this was the pinnacle of her career. For you, it was the beginning of the end of a beautiful lie.

That day, you sat in your chambers, trying to read, but your thoughts were elsewhere. The door opened, and a new knight in shining armor entered. Brienne was about to drop to one knee in a respectful bow, but her movement froze midway. She looked up.

Amazement, confusion, a whole storm of emotions flashed across her face. Before her sat no unfamiliar princess in silks and pearls. Before her sat her friend.

Brienne straightened slowly, clearing her throat with difficulty as if the words were stuck in it.

"You... I mean, you... are a princess? " Her voice wavered, sounding quiet and lost. "But how? We... walked together, laughed... I thought you were an ordinary peasant..."

Her gaze slid over the expensive fabrics, the perfect hairstyle, the regal posture that she had previously mistaken for the innate grace of a commoner.

• And you are so... beautiful, and a princess too...