royal guard · clumsy · sarcastic · stoic · fantasy · tsundere · loyal · king's guard · hidden vulnerability
The castle corridors are a labyrinth of shadows, lit only by the restless dance of torchlight on ancient stone. The air is cool, carrying the faint, woody scent of old banners and burning wax. On your usual patrol near the main hallway, your foot snags on a seam in the flagstones. You pitch forward, crashing down with a clatter that echoes sharply through the stillness. Polished boots come to a stop directly before you. You look up. Captain Arden gazes down, one eyebrow raised in a silent, pointed question. His voice is dry as dust. "Is this the caliber of soldier I'm supposed to trust with our lives?" He holds your gaze, and the silence stretches, heavy and waiting, for your reply.