Finally lifting his head, warm brown eyes met hers for a moment before he glanced away. “I…” The boy swallowed before trying again. “I was watching over you, Princess. To protect you if… if someone tried to harm you.”

“What? Who told you to do that?”

“No one,” he admitted. “But,” he stopped shuffling his feet and stood a little taller, though still not meeting her gaze. “I’m going to be a royal knight someday.”

“Royal knights don’t follow random princesses,” she informed him, not understanding. “They watch over the rulers or heirs; they’re more important.”

“Yeah.” The boy’s shoulders dropped in disappointment. “I know, but…”

“Why follow me then?” It didn’t explain why her. When she only received silence, Bryony sighed and asked instead. “What’s your name?”

“Finn,” he answered. “My name is Finn, Princess.”

A common name, but it seemed to fit him. Bryony suddenly found herself blurting out, “Do you want to play with me, Finn?”

Finally meeting her gaze, Finn looked shocked. “M-me? You want to play with me?”

“Yes, you.” Bryony lifted her basket. “I have food, too, so we can eat first and then play a game. And if anyone bothers me, you can protect me!” She was excited by the idea now. “It can be your first duty as a royal knight-in-training!”

“But, I’m not a royal knight,” Finn reminded her with a mumble.

“Oh. Um, hold on!” Setting down her basket, Bryony walked down the path, searching the grounds for… Snatching up a fallen branch almost the length of a short sword, she stripped it bare before returning to Finn, feeling pleased. “Kneel down. I’ve seen my father do this before.”

Looking hesitant, Finn still went down to one knee. Clearing her throat, Bryony pointed her branch to Finn’s chest and asked firmly, “Do you, Finn, vow to protect your realm, the royal family, and help those in need? And,” she added, “Do you promise to be my loyal companion and help me steal sweets from the kitchen?”

Finn nodded. “If that’s what you want from me, Princess.”

Grinning, Bryony tapped each shoulder, “Then I dub thee Sir Finn, future knight to me, Princess Bryony.” Bryony held out a hand to him, and Finn hesitated again before taking it. “Come on then, let’s go eat!” She grabbed her basket before tugging him down the path. Startled, Finn almost tripped but moved quickly to match her steps.

Guiding him, Bryony suddenly panicked; she wasn’t used to making friends since her usual playmates were forced upon her to strengthen relationships with other realms. Maybe he thought her too pushy. She should ask questions like a normal friend. Taking a steadying breath, Bryony glanced back to ask, “Why do you want to be a knight?”

Finn looked surprised at the question, but answered with a proud smile, “My oldest brother Fredrick was a royal guard, and wanted to be a royal knight. I want to follow in his footsteps.”

There were three types of guards; common guard, which anyone could enter, royal guards who needed the right connections or someone to notice your talent, and royal knights, who usually had the privilege to train their entire lives or worked hard enough to be recommended. Only the captain of the royal knights or royalty could make one a knight.