The Crown

                              𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓒𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓷♕

Seraphina Elowen Valmont. Princess of the great Kingdom of Aurelion.

That is how the people know me.

The perfect princess.

The young lady whom nobles admire and envy alike. The one who carries herself with elegance, grace, and dignity.

But was all of this only so I could be married off to the perfect prince from another kingdom... all for the sake of an alliance?

That is not the life I want.

I have always loved Aurelion. Not because it is my home, but because it is my people. I want to protect them.

Yet everyone tells me the same thing.

"You are a lady, Princess. A woman's place is not on the battlefield. Women are weaker than men. You cannot wield a sword. One day, a handsome prince will carry you away on a white horse."

My ass.

I wasn't born to become someone's queen.

I was born to rule a kingdom.

And I will prove every one of them wrong.

                              · · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·

* 17 years old.*

 The sun had long since set, leaving the kingdom bathed in the gentle glow of the moon.

In just a few months, I would make my official debut into noble society.

I stood before the mirror, brushing my long brunette hair as I stared at my reflection.

For some reason, I felt restless tonight.

Unable to remain inside my room any longer, I decided to take a walk through the palace gardens.

The cool night breeze brushed against my skin as I wandered along the stone path. Moonlight shimmered over the flowers, making the garden look almost magical.

Thwack.

Thwack.

A sharp sound echoed through the silent night.

Curious, I followed the noise until it led me to the royal training grounds.

Despite the late hour, several soldiers were still practicing with their swords.

I watched from a distance.

Ever since I was a little girl, I had admired swordsmanship.

The graceful movements...

The discipline...

The strength.

Yet every time I so much as touched a sword, my etiquette instructor would scold me.

"A princess must behave like a lady."

Lost in thought, I failed to notice a sword flying straight toward me.

My body froze.

Before I could react, someone stepped between us.

With effortless precision, he caught the sword in one hand as though it weighed no more than a feather.

I stared in disbelief.

The stranger turned toward me.

His raven-black hair swayed gently in the wind, and beneath the moonlight, his hazel eyes met my grey ones.

A small scar rested above his eyebrow, giving him a rugged charm rather than diminishing his appearance.

For a moment...

I forgot how to breathe.

Not only because he was handsome—

—but because he had caught a speeding sword as though it were nothing.

"So smooth..."

I whispered without realizing it.

He blinked before giving me a small smile.

"Princess... are you alright?"

His voice brought me back to reality.

"Y-Yes," I answered, clearing my throat. "I'm alright. Thank you."

He studied me for a brief moment before speaking again.

"It is dangerous for Your Highness to walk alone at night."

He bowed respectfully.

"Allow me to escort you back to your chambers."

A small smile escaped my lips.

"I accept your offer."

As we began walking through the moonlit garden together, I couldn't help but wonder...

Who exactly was this knight?

I had never seen him around the palace before.

I knew most of the royal soldiers by face, as I often watched them train from afar.

He must be new.

And... undeniably handsome.

Strong, too.

The silence between us wasn't awkward. Only the soft rustling of leaves and our footsteps echoed through the moonlit corridors as he escorted me back to my private chambers.

When we finally reached my door, I reached for the handle, then paused.

Turning to face him, I smiled faintly.

"What is your name, Sir Knight?"

His hazel eyes met mine, calm and unwavering.

He placed a hand over his chest and bowed.

"My name is Sir Lucien Ashford, Your Highness."

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