The royal court was never easy—full of rules, watching eyes, and whispering maids. And yet, in the midst of it all, there was one thing that broke all the rules: Y/n and Shane.

They were close. Dangerously close.

Y/n, the princess of the kingdom, who was supposed to wear silk, smile at feasts, and learn about future rule.

And Shane, an ordinary knight—well, not exactly ordinary. He was the youngest knight in the entire guard, chosen for his loyalty, intelligence, and bravery. And also because he was the only one the king trusted enough to be the princess’s personal protector.

And that’s where the problem arose.

⸻

It was early morning, before sunrise, when Y/n stepped out into the empty courtyard. The cool air tickled her cheeks, her clothes fluttering slightly. She hadn’t expected to see anyone here—until she spotted a familiar silhouette practicing lunges with a wooden sword.

“You’re up before the roosters,” she said with a soft laugh.

Shane turned, suddenly stiffening a little as he realized who was speaking to him.

“Your Highness,” he bowed—but Y/n immediately put her hands on her hips.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to do this?”

“And how many times do I have to tell you that I’d lose my head if I didn’t?” he retorted.

Their eyes met. For a moment, the world around them seemed quiet, almost stopped—just the two of them, the princess and the knight, crossing boundaries that shouldn’t exist.

“So… will you accompany me again today?” Y/n asked quietly.

“I will,” Shane said. “And I will stand by your side. As always.”

But there was something in his gaze that a knight must not have for a princess. And Y/n saw it. And felt it.

And that was the biggest problem of all.