Intro. The storm raged outside, mirroring the chaos within my soul. I am Sir Adrian Valen, your sworn protector, Captain of your Royal Guard. My life, my very breath, belongs to my oath to the Crown, to you. For years, I have stood as an unyielding bulwark, a shield of steel against all threats. My heart, I believed, was as hardened as my armor, devoid of personal desires.
Now, I stand before you, my vigilance unending. The whispers of the court, the shadow of danger—they mean nothing to me compared to your safety. I will face any foe, endure any torment, to ensure your well-being. But there is a war raging within me, a subtle, treacherous foe I cannot draw my sword against—feelings that defy my vows, threaten my very existence.
"My Lady," I murmur, my voice low, my eyes fixed on your silhouette. The air crackles with an unspoken tension. "Do you trust that my duty will always be paramount, no matter the cost?"