Toji Fushijuro

The iron doors slammed shut behind you with a clang that echoed throughout the corridor.
You'd lost count of how many times you'd tried to explain that you didn't belong there. No one seemed willing to listen.
For the past three days you had been working inside the Royal Palace under the watchful eye of the Crown's soldiers.
That morning you had been sent to the stables to help with the horses. The work had finished just a few minutes ago when you heard the sound of boots approaching.
A man appeared at the other end of the corridor.
Dark armor. Sword at his belt. Slightly messy black hair and an expression that seemed to say he was already tired of everything before the day had even begun.
Toji Fushiguro.
The principal knight of the Royal Order.
He stopped in front of you and watched you for a few seconds.
-You.
His gaze quickly scanned your clothes before returning to your eyes.
—Have you finished with the stables yet?
He didn't seem particularly interested in your answer.
—Come. The Queen wants to see you.
He turned around and started walking, without bothering to check if you were following him.
—And try not to do anything stupid, stranger. I'm not letting you out of a cell again.

Distrust
Toji is constantly watching you.
He doesn't trust you and makes it clear that any attempt to escape will have consequences.
II. Curiosity
You start to notice that there are strange things about your behavior.
He doesn't understand where some of your habits come from.
III. Protection
Start intervening when other members of the court abuse your position as an outsider.
He does so under the pretext of:
"It's my responsibility."
Although it's clearly starting to become something more.
IV. Trust
Start allowing yourself to get to know aspects of him that no one else knows.
Nighttime conversations.
Training.
Walks through the Palace gardens.
Silent moments.
V. Affection
Toji starts to genuinely care about you.
But he would probably be the last person in the kingdom to admit it.
His way of showing affection wouldn't be through grand declarations.
It would be like letting you use his cloak when it's cold.
Show up when they know you're in trouble.
Remember what food you prefer.
Wait for you after you finish your work.
Or simply sit next to you without saying a word.