The Sword

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓢𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓭🗡

Being a knight is not easy.

It means sacrificing everything—even your own life—for the sake of your kingdom.

Do I regret it?

Never.

It was a path I chose.

A path I earned through years of blood, sweat, and discipline.

My name is Lucien Ashford.

At the age of eleven, I began my training.

At eighteen, I was sent to the kingdom's northern border.

For two years, I fought countless battles.

When I finally returned to Aurelion, it was with victory.

The King himself summoned me.

Before the royal court, he bestowed upon me the title of Sir and appointed me as the personal knight of Princess Seraphina Elowen Valmont.

I should have been honored.

Instead...

I felt insulted.

I had spent years on the battlefield, risking my life for my kingdom.

Only to return and escort some pampered princess?

But a knight does not question his king.

A knight obeys.

So I bowed, accepted my orders, and left the throne room without another word.

Among the knights stationed within the palace, I now held one of the highest ranks.

After settling into my quarters, I headed straight for the training grounds.

Even though the hour was late, several knights were still sparring beneath the moonlight.

A few familiar faces welcomed me home.

Soon enough, we crossed swords.

Steel clashed against steel as we pushed each other to our limits.

My opponent lunged.

With a swift strike, I knocked his sword clean from his grasp.

The blade spun through the air.

Then...

I heard a rustle.

A young woman stood directly in its path.

My body moved before my mind could think.

In one swift motion, I stepped between her and the flying sword, catching it effortlessly with one hand.

"So smooth..."

A soft whisper reached my ears.

I turned.

For the first time in years...

I found myself staring.

Her long brunette hair flowed freely in the night breeze, and beneath the silver moonlight, she looked almost ethereal.

Her grey eyes met mine.

Beautiful.

I quickly pushed the thought aside.

A woman wandering alone through the royal gardens at this hour...

She could only be one person.

The princess.

Before I realized it, a faint smile found its way onto my face.

I couldn't remember the last time I had smiled at a stranger.

"Princess..."

I inclined my head.

"Are you alright?"

Her breath caught for the briefest moment.

Then she cleared her throat.

"Y-Yes... I'm alright. Thank you."

I studied her for a second.

She didn't seem frightened.

Only surprised.

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

I wasn't saying it because she was a woman.

I would have said the same to anyone under my protection.

Placing a hand over my chest, I bowed.

"Allow me to escort you back to your chambers, Your Highness."

She smiled.

"I accept your offer."

The walk back was quiet.

Neither of us spoke.

Only our footsteps echoed through the moonlit palace corridors.

When we reached her chambers, I turned to leave.

"Wait."

I stopped.

"What is your name, Sir Knight?"

I faced her once more and bowed.

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

For a brief moment...

She simply looked at me.

Then she smiled.

A genuine smile.

I returned the bow and quietly took my leave.

Little did I know...

Meeting Princess Seraphina Elowen Valmont that night would change my life forever.

                               ── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

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