Tom⚔️ x Jake💙👑 [AU]

Even though she loved Jake deeply, she would be afraid of putting him in danger...[This will be explained in the story]

The kingdom's nobility would have several problems with their relationship:
👑 Position difference
Many would say:
"A prince cannot be with a mere guard."
The nobles would think that Tom does not have enough rank to be by the side of the future king.
⚔️ Policy
Some members of the court would try to use the relationship to attack Jake's image, saying that a king must follow traditions.
🗡️ Prejudices
Some people in the kingdom might reject their romance simply because it doesn't fit with what they expect from an heir.
💙 But their friends would support them

👵 Miriam — Jake's former great-grandmother and queen 👑
Title: Queen Mother Miriam of Asteria
Miriam was the former ruler of the kingdom, a woman who survived wars, betrayals, and losses. Although she no longer wears the crown, she remains the most influential person in the palace.
She is wise, tough, and extremely observant.
She may seem cold, but she protects Jake because she considers him her legacy.
He would be the one who best understands the relationship between Jake and Tom, because he knows that a ruler needs someone to keep him human.
I would train Jake in politics and teach him that a king must have heart, but also character.
Phrase:
"A throne doesn't make a king. Tough decisions do."

🧹 Ellie — Jake's maid and personal bodyguard ⚔️🌹
Ellie would be much more than a servant: she would be a close protector of the prince.
Intelligent, strategic, and direct.
She knows how to read people and uncover lies.
Although she works for the royal family, she is not afraid to tell Jake the truth.
She would be close friends with Tom because they both understand what it means to protect someone.
💞 Relationship with Gabby: Ellie would fall in love with Gabby because she would see in her something that the palace lost: joy and freedom.
Phrase:
"I can clear a room in the castle, but I can also clear the prince's path of enemies."

🌸 Gabby — Rebel Princess / Jake's Cousin 🏹👑
Gabby would be a princess who hates the life of the nobility.
Although she has royal blood, she doesn't want dresses, parties, or political marriages.
Escape from the palace to train.
Practice combat in secret with Tom.
She admires warriors because she wants to prove that she doesn't need to be protected.
She has a cheerful personality, but great courage.
Tom would be like a mentor to her, teaching her self-defense techniques.
💞 Relationship with Ellie: Ellie would help her accept that she doesn't have to hide who she is.
Phrase:
"I was born a princess, but I choose to be a warrior."

🍷 Aiden — Palace servant 🏰
Aiden would be a young servant close to the royal family.
Kind, polite, and hardworking.
Discover all the secrets of the castle because no one notices your presence.
Although he seems calm, he has a lot of potential.
Jake would treat him like a friend, not like an employee.
He could become someone important within the kingdom.
Phrase:
"Some serve with a sword. Others serve with loyalty."

🍳 James — Royal Chef 💙
James would be in charge of feeding the palace.
But he wouldn't just be a cook:
He is creative and a perfectionist.
Use cooking as a way to express affection.
She would be a person much loved by the servants.
💞 Interest in Aiden: James would be attracted to Aiden's kindness and how he treats everyone with respect.
Phrase:
"A good dish can unite an entire kingdom."

🩺 Elly — Doctor of the Castle 🌿
The royal doctor.
Intelligent and patient.
He caters to both nobles and soldiers.
He would be the one to heal Tom's wounds after his missions.
He has a calm but firm personality.
She would be one of the few people capable of scolding Jake when he takes too many risks.
Phrase:
"A dead king cannot protect anyone."

👗 Natalia — Jake's real designer ✨
Natalia would be in charge of creating the image of the prince.
Design stylish but comfortable clothes for Jake.
He understands that a king's appearance conveys messages.
It helps you see yourself as a leader without losing your personality.
She would be a highly respected artist.

👑 Anastasia — Court Designer ✨
The other great designer of the palace.
More refined and traditional.
She likes the classic styles of the nobility.
At first I might argue with Natalia about designs.
But together they would create the finest outfits in the kingdom.
💞 Relationship with Marissa: Their romance would be seen as unexpected because Marissa represents military strength and Anastasia the elegance of the court.

🛡️ Marissa — Captain of the Royal Guardians ⚔️
The leader of the palace army.
A warrior respected by all.
Competent, disciplined, and strong.
She would be a close companion of Tom's.
I would defend Jake and his right to choose his own path.
💞 Interest in Anastasia: Marissa would fall in love with her intelligence and sensitivity.
Phrase:
"My sword protects the kingdom. My heart protects her."

🎭 Benji — Court Jester 🤡✨
Benji would be the soul of the palace.
But he wouldn't be a simple prankster:
Use humor to uncover secrets.
He makes Jake laugh when he's stressed.
The nobles believe he is useless, but he knows more than he lets on.
He would be like the castle's secret "informant".
Phrase:
"Everyone listens to the king. No one listens to the jester... and that is my power."

🌙 Brief history of the AU
Tom was found as a young man near the kingdom's border after a battle. With no full memory of his past, he was trained by the royal guard.
Over time, he became one of the palace's most trusted protectors. However, one night he uncovers a conspiracy to overthrow the royal family.
While investigating, he discovers that his own past may be connected to the enemies of the kingdom.
Now he must decide whether he will remain merely the king's shield or whether he will finally discover who he truly is.

At first, Jake and Tom didn't see each other as equals.
Jake would see Tom as someone cold and distant, a person who always puts duty before his own feelings.
Tom would see Jake as someone too naive to survive palace politics.
But over time they begin to get to know each other.

⚔️ Skills
Royal Sword
Tom is a master of a longsword, but his style is defensive: he waits for the enemy's move and counterattacks.
Silent combat
Thanks to his training, he can move around the castle undetected.
Investigation
He has a talent for finding clues and uncovering lies.
Discipline
Even if he is afraid or has doubts, he fulfills his duty.

🏰 His role in the palace
Tom wouldn't simply be a soldier at the entrance.
It would be known as:
"The Shadow of the Crown"
A special guard in charge of:
Investigate betrayals within the nobility.
Protect the heir to the throne.
Escort dangerous missions.
Discover enemy spies.
Watch the castle corridors at night.
Many nobles would fear him because Tom notices details that others ignore.

🛡️ Personality
As a guard, Tom would be:
🔹 Protector
He seeks neither fame nor recognition. His priority is keeping the king, the queen, and innocent people safe.
🔹 Reserved
He doesn't talk much about his feelings or his past. He prefers to demonstrate his loyalty through actions.
🔹 Intelligent
More than a warrior who attacks without thinking, he would be a strategist capable of uncovering conspiracies within the castle.
🔹 Loyal
When you give your trust to someone, you protect them even by putting your own life at risk.

💔 Internal conflict
Tom's biggest problem in this AU would be his struggle between:
"To be the perfect tool of the kingdom"
vs.
"To be a person with one's own desires and feelings"
For years he believed a guard had to be cold and without weaknesses. But as he gets to know people important to him, he begins to understand that protecting someone doesn't mean losing his humanity.

⚔️ Appearance in this AU
He wears light armor made of dark steel, designed to move quickly and silently.
His cloak has the symbol of the kingdom embroidered in silver.
He uses leather gloves to better handle his sword and secondary weapons.
He maintains a serious and distant expression, giving the impression of being someone impossible to read.
His helmet often obscures part of his face, reinforcing his mysterious image.
His eyes are always alert: he analyzes every person who enters the palace.
His appearance reflects a mixture between a royal gentleman and a court spy.

👑 Tom Reed — Crown Guard
Qualification
Sir Thomas [Tom] Reed, Royal Fortress Guard of Asteria
Tom wasn't born a nobleman or a prince. He arrived at the palace after demonstrating exceptional skills with the sword, stealth, and strategy. His past is a mystery even to many members of the court, leading to rumors about who he really was before becoming a guard.