Chapter Text
Blue and silver filled the walls as the last sunlight reflected off chandeliers. The ceiling stretched high overhead, painted with angel figures that watched the Princess in silence. The bed rests neatly made, as if it belongs to someone important that never rushes. Everything feels expensive and elegant without warmth.
Except for the candles placed at either side of the Princess, glowing softly in front of the vanity.
Gwen studied her reflection.
Her skin, pale enough to unsettle the court, caught the candle lights, she observed every bruise of sleeplessness. She reached for color, pressing warmth into her cheeks until she looked less like a specter and more like something acceptable. Or at least, to make the court stop whispering.
Her lips were another matter.
But this time, she actually meant it. The blue tint never quite left her lips, no matter how often it was discussed over tea cups. Some said it was improper, and it scares away suitors, others said it highlights the unhealthy look of a Princess.
Gwen had heard it all and ignored it anyway, letting the color stay like a small rebellion. If the gossip insisted on noticing her mouth, they would notice it on her terms.
Lastly, she reached back and adjusted the narrow blue band around her head, her fingers brushing the ribbon where it disappeared beneath her hair. A strip of dyed cloth, simple, almost commoner-like. A few dark hair locks fall forward, framing her young face.
The chair beneath her creaked softly when she shifted, this was the version of herself the kingdom expected: composed and already belonging to something bigger than herself.
Gwen was a Princess. Second in line to the throne, but no less important for it. She represented obedience, and a marriage already planned. One that, once consummated, would unite two wealthy territories and secure the kingdom’s future.
She sighed, staring directly at her reflection.
‘Stop thinking like that, you won’t even make it through the day if you'll ruin it before it starts.’
A dry thud broke her thoughts.
Gwen turned toward the bedroom door and shook her head. She knew exactly who was responsible for the interruption.
Another thud.
Of course. Her personal knight.
‘Duncan… hm. Sorry—Sir Duncan.’ She smiled faintly at the title, one she had insisted her father grant him. A noble honor pressed into the hands of a boy who had grown up on the streets.
She chuckled under her breath. Their meeting had been anything but noble.
Four years ago, buried between lessons. Class after class. Astronomy, archery, history, royal etiquette, leaving no room for wandering thoughts.
Gwen sat in one of the palace libraries, surrounded by antique books and dust. Only the tall windows before her offered any relief, the greenery from the garden felt close enough to touch.
She wanted to be out there. Barefoot in the grass. Climbing fences, and trees. Riding her horse without destination, without someone counting the hours she was gone.
There was a life beyond the castle walls. She had seen it before during royal processions, watching from behind the carriage windows.
The smell of fresh fruit and cooking porridge. The cheers of townspeople, confetti tossed into the air, music spilling around her. She wanted more of that.
Freedom.
The decision came fast, reckless in the way only suppressed thoughts could be. Gwen set the date, and gathered what she needed for a disguise: a brown cloak long enough to hide her ankles, shoes worn just enough to pass as ordinary, and supplies meant for a journey that might last longer than an hour.
Last came the silver pin set with sapphire, her seal of royal status. Insurance. A single object that could pull her out of trouble if things went wrong.
She hoped she wouldn’t need it. Using it would definitely shatter the illusion.
Gwen waited for the right moment. Lunchtime, when attention drifted, was her best chance. With her cloak drawn low and her bag slung close, she slipped through the hidden corridors and set out beyond the palace walls.
Just ten minutes into her walk, the town revealed itself. Food carts handed portions to workers, vendors called out over one another, and people moved quickly along both sides of the street, all in a hurry to reach somewhere else.
Meanwhile, the disguised Princess looked around as if it were her first time on earth. Everything demanded her attention. Every color, every face. Even farm animals wandered through the main route. Distant music drifted from a pub, smoke rose from the grills, the air with scents she remembered all too well.
No one spared her a second glance. She tugged her hood lower, adrenaline mixing with worry, not so much about the people around her, but about what discovery would mean. At least a month confined to her chambers.
‘I’m not letting that happen,’ she thought, but a sudden tug snapped her back to her senses. Her bag slipped down her side, and before she could grab it, a hand yanked it free.
“Hey! Wait!” Gwen shouted at a figure disappearing into a narrow, crowded passage. “Shit!”
Several heads turned. Gwen immediately bowed her own, heat rushing to her face as she shrank into herself. She cursed her carelessness, furious at how easily she had made herself a target, and pushed toward the passage after the thief.
‘What are the damn odds?!’
The brick walls closed in around her as she entered the hallway, the noise of the street fading until the crowd thinned to almost nothing.
Barrels filled with murky water lined the walls, wooden crates stacked on top of one another. At the far end, the passage closed against a stone wall tall enough to make escape impossible.
Gwen’s ragged breathing echoed in the narrow space as she looked around. ‘What was I supposed to do now? The first time I wander alone and I get mugged?! I must look like a complete idiot!’
A sudden splash of filthy water hit her cheek, making her flinch.
She wiped her face, suddenly aware of how isolated the alley was. No one knew she was here. The thought sent a sharp jolt of fear through her, and she turned toward the entrance, where the distant crowd was still visible.
A soft clicking sound struck the stone floor.
She looked down.
Her silver pin lay there, discarded like it meant nothing at all.
“I think you can have that back. I’d rather not get in trouble with the royals.”
The voice came from above.
A figure dropped from the second-story balcony and landed in front of her with ease.
Gwen froze.
The thief straightened, still holding her bag, and for the first time they stood eye to eye. He was nearly her height, close enough now that she could see the confidence in his posture.
“Didn’t mean to interrupt the Princess’s little tour so early in the day,” he said, offering the bag with a smile. One that promised he would tell this story later. “Please accept my apologies. And it would be greatly appreciated if you didn’t have me thrown into the nearest prison cell.”
Gwen’s gaze flicked from the bag to his face, searching for a response, but he filled the silence first.
“Oh. Right.” He lifted the torn straps, still cut. “Let me fix this. Wouldn’t be very proper for a Princess to walk around with rags.” The words were polite, but the tone was anything but that.
Gwen's brows knitted together.
“There,” he said, tying the straps into a firm knot quickly, and before the Princess could object, he slung the bag back over her shoulder with no concern for royal delicacy at all.
“So… now that we’ve made our peace, I’ll be on my merry way, all right, Princess?” The boy backed away, clearly struggling not to bolt. As he grabbed the first iron bar of a hidden stairway, Gwen finally spoke.
“Wait. Don’t you dare take another step.”
Her voice surprised even her. It was the first time she tested the weight of her authority as the king’s daughter. The boy stopped immediately, frozen in place.
“Turn around and identify yourself,” she continued with a firm tone, uncomfortably close to her father’s.
The boy’s jaw tightened as he turned back toward her. Gwen caught the muttered curse slipping from his lips.
They locked eyes again, but this time, she held control.
Up close, she could see how tired he looked. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, as if he had not slept properly in years. His clothes were worn and yellowed, but intact. No holes. A small metal bar glinted between his left eyebrow and temple.
‘Pierced through the skin?!’ Gwen kept her expression steady, refusing to let surprise ruin her authority.
“What’s your name?”
“…Eric, my lady.” He mocked a bow.
“Eric?” She tilted her head. “Does Eric know that lying to royalty is frowned upon, with the possibility of six months in prison?”
“Yeah.” The boy murmured, avoiding her eyes.
“And if I bring the guards here and have them identify you by your face, would they still call you Eric?”
“…No.”
“Name.”
“Duncan.”
Gwen hummed, claiming the small victory. “How old are you?”
“Sixteen, I believe.”
She blinked. That was her age, yet he looked far older. “You believe?”
He just shrugged. “Sometimes weeks turn into days. Maybe I lost track.”
“Well, Duncan, as you may understand, we are in a predicament. I cannot let you go for the same reason you might end up in prison. You saw me.”
“Oh, really?” He scoffed, waving his arms around, “I thought it was an illusion.”
Gwen frown deepened, “That is no way to treat—”
“A Princess?” He chuckled without humor. “I think I’m in a worse position than you. Six months either way. So why bother?”
“Or,” Gwen said calmly, an idea invaded her mind, “you could bother and make a deal with me.”
Duncan’s eyes widened, almost speechless. “A deal?”
“I say nothing, and you show me the best places the kingdom has to offer without drawing attention.” She extended her hand with firmness. Knowing it could be refused, but confidence often discouraged betrayal.
Duncan hesitated for a long moment, looking to her soft pale hand to her deep dark eyes. He knew there was no other way out of that dead-end alley, then he took her hand and shook it.
Gwen’s thoughts broke free from deep memories. It was almost impossible to guess that such a small interaction would have brought new meaning to her life.
She rose from the soft stool, the fabric of her dress falling neatly into place. One of her favorites: an off-the-shoulder neckline, with a simple pin sat at her chest, a sapphire stone set among silver details. The flow of the skirt made her seem like a phantom. An insult to some, but a compliment to Gwen’s morbid tastes.
The lock clicked, and with a pull, her bedroom door opened.
A familiar figure appeared in front of her, though now his frame was now broader and his head towered over hers. His uniform was composed of heavy armor in cool tones. Silvered steel traced with blue accents, the chest plate engraved with the royalty seal.
As Gwen observed him, the stubborn glint of metal from his piercing caught her eye, then her gaze drifted to his deep blue eyes.
Duncan stood in the doorway, casually leaning against the frame, looking at her with a cheeky smile. “I thought you married your pillow after you made me wait so long.”
“That’s not a way to greet the Princess, Sir Eric.”
He whined at the nickname, “There’s no one around here… and stop calling me that.”
“Still giving me orders?”
“Just don’t let it slip around anyone, please.”
“Is there a reason you decided to knock on my door?”
He straightened up. “Well. First, the coast is clear. Second, I’m bored. We should take a walk.”
“What am I, a dog?” Gwen scoffed. “I have official duties as a Princess. I don’t have time to obey the whims of a crooked knight.”
“Crooked?” Duncan placed a hand over his armor, feigning offense. “Come on. I’m saving you from hours of dull sermons. And you know you want to go. Aaand you can always put the blame on me, what do you say?”
The Princess shifted where she stood, licking her lips as her gaze stayed on him. The same cocky expression from their early days was still there. Only now, it looked dangerously alluring.
She still remembered how much trouble that smile had brought her. During one of their many outings into town, they had raced across rooftops, recklessly chasing the thrill of escaping the guards.
Duncan was a natural. He had the dexterity to outmaneuver them and slip past anyone in his way. Gwen, more often than not, lagged a few meters behind, but he always checked on her. Especially after the scare they had when she tried to make a bold jump and nearly broke her wrists.
It was intense. He was a tough teacher. Climbing walls twice her height, learning how to move without being seen by royal guards, and, from time to time, provoking chaos by letting farm animals loose to crash carts of porridge.
That last one was purely for Duncan’s amusement, but Gwen soon found herself laughing right along with him.
When the sun dipped below the horizon and the town lit up with lanterns and firelight, it was time for her to sneak back to the palace, back to routine.
Their first goodbye had been awkward. Neither of them knew if this was meant to last longer than a single reckless afternoon.
At first, they waved from a distance as Gwen retreated toward the hidden underground passage. Over time, familiarity crept in. They created a handshake meant for no one else: two quick taps against the back of the hand, then palm to palm, pinkies hooking briefly before letting go. That day, Duncan lifted their joined hands just enough to press a quick peck against his thumb.
“Same time tomorrow?” he asked.
“Tomorrow?” Gwen laughed softly. “You’re out of your mind. If they’re not suspicious already, they will be if I miss two classes in a row.”
“Damn,” he muttered. “They really don’t let you breathe.”
“Royal duties—”
“Royal duties,” Duncan repeated, mocking. “Yeah, I got it. But it’s a terrible way to rule if you never actually meet your own town.”
“I won’t be ruling anything.”
“What?”
“My role is about unity with the neighboring kingdom. That’s why there’s so much emphasis on my education.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“That’s how it’s always been,” she replied quietly. “For centuries.”
He frowned. “So when, then?”
“I don’t know. Maybe next month.”
“Next month?” He stared at her. “Are you serious?!”
“Shh! Listen, it’s not easy to sneak out. I know they already suspect my mysterious trips to the bathroom and the number of times I’ve missed class. I can’t just leave whenever I want.”
“Okay. Okay.”
She shrugged, sensing the shift in his mood. “What?”
“Nothing. It’s just… we were getting somewhere, you know? You can barely climb walls half taller than you, and don’t even get me started on your lack of stamina.”
“What? I can outrun you. Just not over rooftops.”
“That’s not true.”
“It is! Do you think I don't train at all, and I sit around waiting for someone to pick up my handkerchief?”
Duncan shook his head, staring off instead of looking at her. After a moment, he turned back.
“I need to see you again.”
Gwen’s eyes widened, caught off guard by the weight of his words.
“I… I’m sorry, but that’s not going to be possible.” Gwen reached into her pouch and pulled out a small cloth bag heavy with gold coins. She stepped closer and pressed it into his hand. “Here. That’s your payment for today.”
Duncan noticed how she avoided his gaze as he closed his fingers around the bag.
“Gwen, I—”
Suddenly, footsteps echoed across the stone. Torches flared into view from both sides, their light crawling over the rooftops as guards moved in and blocked every exit.
“Stay where you are!”
Duncan reacted first.
He stepped in front of Gwen, putting his body between her and the circle forming around them. Gwen stayed where she was, still shocked, the hood of her cloak shadowing her face.
“Drop your weapons,” a guard ordered.
“Alright,” He reached back, unhooked the knife at his belt, and let it fall, kicking toward the guard. His hands lifted with his palms facing out.
Another guard advanced toward him. “You. Identify yourself.”
Duncan inhaled—
“Wait!”
The voice came from behind him.
Gwen stepped closer, as she reached into her pouch and pulled out the pin, holding it up between her fingers. The blue sapphire caught the torchlight.
“I am Princess Gwendolyn,” she said. Her voice held steady. “You will lower your weapons.”
The guards stared, then looked at one another. One by one, swords dipped. The ring around them loosened, no one willing to be the first to question it.
Duncan stayed still. Gwen remained behind him, close enough that her shoulder brushed his chest.
“What the hell are you doing?” He whispered, she could sense the desperation in his voice. “Let them get me—”
“I command the troops to return to their nightly routines,” Gwen said, ignoring Duncan’s plea, “and speak no word of this.”
“I don’t believe that would be possible.” A commanding voice said. Gwen turned toward an imposing figure as he stepped through the line of guards.
“Dad?!” Gwen’s eyes widened, a cold shiver racing down her spine. There was no escape now.
The King stood before her, his expression stoic yet with disappointment. “Hello, darling. I would appreciate it if you addressed me formally. I am the king, after all.”
Gwen shifted her gaze to the floor in shame. “Forgive me, Father. I didn’t mean it. This is all just a misunderstanding. I only went to the outskirts of the castle.”
“There is no need for explanations in a place like this.” He shifted his gaze toward the guards. “Detain him and bring him to my headquarters.”
The guards obeyed immediately. Without a hint of resistance, Duncan was chained and dragged back toward the castle.
Gwen watched the scene unfold as if in slow motion. Everyone around her moved with a sense of purpose while she remained frozen. As the guards shoved Duncan through the royal doors, she turned slowly to her father. He met her with a stern look.
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault, truly. He isn't to blame for this.”
“I would not be a worthy King if I allowed my daughter to roam the town without protection. I had one of my knights check on you during your many adventures throughout the state. I believe you have been influenced by crooked guidance. Even I can see that. And while I consider myself benevolent, you have neglected enough of your royal responsibilities that you cannot go unscathed.”
Gwen straightened her posture. “I understand. I take full responsibility for my actions and whatever sanction follows. But please, father, do not punish him. He was merely a victim of my own selfishness.”
The King gave a slow nod.
“I am glad to know you are unharmed, but I cannot help but wonder what pushed you to such recklessness, and with a delinquent no less.”
She shook her head, searching for an answer. If she had been told she would end up in this position, she never would have believed it. She had rebelled against every rule and the very household that had sheltered her since birth.
“I just wanted to go out there and explore.”
“You could have told your attendant,” the King countered. “They would have arranged a tour of the main routes.”
Gwen shrugged. “I wanted it to be authentic. I didn't want to be recognized, at least while I was out.” She paused, her voice softening. “I just wanted to feel like someone else. I wanted to be free for a few minutes.”
The King nodded, his expression shifting toward consideration. “And what about him? Does he also wish to feel free?”
“He is a free soul,” Gwen said. “But thanks to me, he no longer is.”
“I see.” The King averted his eyes, lost in thought. “What if his liberty was up to him?”
Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“I mean he could choose to stay or leave without further repercussions. I could offer him a way to discipline himself and straighten his path, or he could be sent away from here until this situation is nothing more than a memory.”
Gwen took an involuntary step forward. The thought of losing Duncan filled her with pure regret. “I think he has the qualities of a knight. He only needs an opportunity.”
“Very well. Then it is settled. I will speak with him, and we will soon learn his decision.” Her father extended his arm, guiding her toward the castle doors. “Shall we?”
The Princess simply nodded, following him with unsteady steps.
The clop of the horse’s hooves finally pulled her out of her thoughts. The steady rhythm rocked her slightly as the animal moved along the dusty road. She shifted in the saddle, while beside her, her knight walked close, one hand loosely holding the rope at the horse’s head.
He glanced up and caught the absent look on her face. He huffed a quiet laugh.
“What are you thinking, airhead?”
Gwen looked down, finding those same blue eyes from the past. She smiled back at him. “Hm, nothing. Just counting how much freedom you cost me by running your mouth.”
Duncan let out a snort. “Are you recalling our meetings? How scandalous. You absolutely ruined my reputation.”
“Oh, shut up. You were sleeping on swan-feather pillows because I insisted. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even see the sunlight.”
“There you go again.” He smirked. “Such a tyrannical Princess. I’m glad it was your dad who let me stay at the academy and took me off the streets.”
“You might want to revise your version of the story. I was the one who insisted on letting you go. You owe me.”
“And I am,” Duncan said, mocking a bow. “With my life.”
The playful energy carried them until they reached the stables. The sky was clear, and a warm spring breeze swept through the air.
“Watch your step.”
“I know how to dismount a horse.” Gwen swung her leg around, hooking her boot. As she turned her back to him, she felt a pair of hands wrap firmly around her waist.
“I know you do, but you know how hot-blooded Angus is. One day he is your best friend, and the next you are the biggest threat in the world.”
“That has never happened to me.”
“Right. So it is just me having trouble moving him around the stable?”
Gwen let out a soft chuckle as they began the walk back toward the palace.
The wooden stables soon shifted into marble hallways and chandeliers. The Princess and her knight moved through the corridor, laughing under their breath, nudging each other as they went.
Eventually, they reached a familiar door adorned with silver and blue details. Gwen placed her hand on the handle, pushing the door open just a crack before turning back to the knight.
“I take it your shift is over?”
“Yeah, I believe it is Sir Henry’s turn now. He is a big, tough guy who just happens to be terrified of bugs.”
“You should not out him like that. I am sure you have your own fears.”
“Maybe, but last night he jumped out of the bath crying for help because a cockroach climbed up his leg. He didn't let us sleep for an hour until the thing was dead.” Duncan shook his head. “You have to get over it at some point.”
“Fine, I will make sure not to call Sir Henry for bug assistance.”
“Or you could do it just to watch his face twitch in agony.”
“You would make a very cruel Princess.”
“I would. And you would have to check on my chambers more often than not, you know, to stop me from climbing out the window.”
Gwen shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. “I think I am fine as I am.”
He hummed and stepped closer, raising his hand for a goodbye. “Me too. I like the way things are.”
They performed their usual handshake, each bringing their knuckles up to land a soft kiss.
“See you in a bit, then.”
Gwen nodded, her cheeks flushing a light pink. “See you later.”
She watched her knight disappear around the corner, neither of them breaking eye contact until he was gone. Once he vanished, a quiet sigh escaped her lips.
Pressed against the door frame, her gaze drifted into the past.
‘When?’ she thought to herself. ‘When was the exact moment?’
She couldn't comprehend how their relationship had become so dependent. The sight of Duncan was like a lifesaver in the middle of a vast ocean. She shook her head, still struggling to believe that a man who once tried to steal her bag in the outskirts of town had transformed into something so essential to her routine.
It was the moment he began showing her a new world without undermining her. He kept her on her toes, finding ways to turn a dull day into an unforgettable adventure. She wanted that.
Freedom.
Finally, Gwen stepped into her bedroom, her eyes cast toward the floor, ready to change into more comfortable clothing. But as the door clicked shut, she looked up. A tall figure stood there, facing out the window.
She froze, recognizing the royal cape immediately.
“Hey… Dad. I didn’t know you were here. I wouldn’t have left if you had—”
“No need. I wanted to take a breather anyway.” The King slowly turned from the balcony and extended an arm, granting her permission to sit beside him.
Gwen obeyed, still tense, and took a seat. Her father followed, settling across from her with only a table between them.
“How was your day, darling?”
“Productive. I just came back from my break. I took Angus for a walk, and he took a walk with me.”
Her father nodded, humming softly.
There was a weight in the room she could not ignore, but she did not press him. Having the King in her chambers was rare, and it usually meant something important. Something only he could say.
“I heard your lessons are becoming more demanding.”
Gwen nodded, a shy smile tugging at her lips. “It’s only a matter of time before my tutors ask me for the formula to the eternal elixir.”
The King chuckled quietly, then nodded. “Oh, those old little rascals. Never let you take a breather.”
He shook his head, lost deep in thought. After a heavy silence, he began to speak again.
“You know, the role of a King carries many responsibilities. Ones that shape the kingdom, its people, and even those closest to me. All it takes is a single order.”
He turned to his daughter for the first time.
“Today, I met with representatives from the neighboring kingdom. They believe the timing is ideal to proceed with the engagement.”
Gwen sank deeper into her seat, her gaze dropping to the floor.
“May I ask you something?”
She turned back to him and nodded.
“I overheard you earlier, through the door. I did not intend to listen, but I heard your exchange with your royal guard. What was his name?”
Her throat went dry, and her voice was barely more than a breath, but she finally managed to speak. “Duncan?”
“Ah, yes. The boy that was brought in for training. A good choice. I did not expect much, but he proved himself capable.”
He studied her closely.
“Do you speak to each other that casually?”
Her eyes widened. “I—I know it’s improper. I encouraged it, that was my mistake. I will tell him it must not happen again.”
“I see,” her father murmured. “Do you like him?”
Gwen nearly choked, staring at him in disbelief.
“He’s just a friend—I mean, my guard. That’s all. There’s nothing to worry about.”
The King hummed again, this time colder.
He stood and faced her fully. “You know I trust you, and I will take your word for it. I would hate to see you distracted by a commoner when your wedding is so close.”
He let the words settle before continuing.
“In one month, you will be married to Prince Trenton, son of the Southern Kingdom.”
Reaching the door, he looked back at her one last time before leaving. “Have a nice night.”