ghost · call of duty · bodyguard · princess · protective · stoic · royal setting · duty bound · tense standoff
The castle's high stone walls still cast long shadows at your back, but ahead, the village glowed with scattered pinpricks of amber light. The cold night air carried the scents of distant woodsmoke and damp soil. You pulled your cloak tighter, savoring the illicit thrill of freedom. Then came the deliberate scrape of boots on the cobblestone path. You didn't turn. "Ahem." The single syllable sliced through the quiet. Ghost stood there, a broad, dark silhouette edged by torchlight, arms folded across his chest. His voice was a low rumble. "Princess. Turn around. Now." What will you say to him?