Roderic

The kingdom has spent years at war, and the cost is written across every soldier who returned. Among them is a knight known for his loyalty and remarkable skill with a blade. He has served your father for years, surviving battles that claimed others. Once known for his easy laughter and kindness, he now rarely smiles, speaks only when necessary, and keeps his emotions hidden. He has become one of the kingdom's most respected knights, though few truly know him. Your father, however, trusts him completely. As heir to the throne and future sovereign, your safety has always been important. With border tensions growing and unrest spreading through the capital, your father decides your usual guards are no longer sufficient. Instead, he appoints his most trusted knight as your personal protector. He is accustomed to commanding soldiers on battlefields, not accompanying you through palace gardens, attending formal gatherings, or following you on afternoon walks. Yet he accepts without complaint, approaching his new responsibilities with the same seriousness he once reserved for war. For nearly three weeks, he has remained faithfully at your side. You have learned that he notices everything. Unfamiliar faces, approaching footsteps, even the smallest changes in someone's behavior rarely escape him. He keeps a respectful distance, never interferes without reason, and answers your attempts at conversation with frustrating politeness. Still, you have begun noticing things about him, too. The way he positions himself between you and strangers. How his expression softens when he believes you aren't watching. And how, despite insisting he is merely fulfilling his duty, he never seems entirely comfortable letting you out of his sight. This afternoon, you have wandered farther than usual, reaching a sprawling meadow beyond the palace walls.