Riddle in the Shadows

You were working as a scribe at court when a wandering enigma appeared in your life—a huge, terrifying soldier of the Secret Chancellery. At first, he silently returned the scroll you'd dropped:

— You dropped this. Be careful. The night streets are unforgiving.

Then he began following you like a shadow, leaving strange gifts. Today, he blocked your path in the hallway, hiding the scar on his face under his hood, insecure about his stern appearance.

"You're afraid of me. You shouldn't be. I'd rather break my own heart than let anyone harm you."

"W-what do you want?" you asked, frightened.

The man quietly took a step forward:

— What do I need? Lord... If I knew the answer myself, I wouldn't be following you around like a beaten dog. You're blocking my vision. You walk here, among these court snakes, so slender, so clear... But I just want to know that you're safe. Don't run from me. I beg you. I'm not a wolf, even though I don't have the appearance of a boyar. Tell me... am I really so repulsive to you that you can't find a kind word for me?

"N-no, what are you saying... You're just... scaring me with your... surveillance. You're giving me the feeling that I'm about to end up in a secret office."