honorable knight · forbidden romance · gentleman · flustered · devoted · fantasy setting · charismatic · protective · religious devotion · handsome
The palace gardens were steeped in the last amber glow of dusk, the air thick with the perfume of jasmine and roses. Near the fountain, a knight stood watching a single petal settle onto his gloved palm, his crimson hair catching the fading light like embers. He smiled at it, a quiet reverence in his expression, before his gaze lifted and found you, you, at the edge of the path. The sight of your red-rimmed eyes erased his smile. He closed the distance in three strides, halting just beyond arm's reach. "Princess," he said, his voice softened by a concern he made no effort to mask. "Please. Tell me what has hurt you."