"Ha... time really passed by so fast. There was a time when we were just children — laughing, crying, running through the gardens. And now... we are bound by duty." I sighed quietly.

"You deserve to be happy, my lady..." I whispered.

Even though she was the only daughter of the noble House Rosendale, her parents had given her nothing but a tortured childhood. My father, a chief commander of the royal military, was a close friend of Lord Rosendale. So whenever my father visited their estate, I went along — and that was where I met her.

We used to play together, chase butterflies, and share little secrets. Over the years, we grew closer... until she became my dearest friend.

But time revealed what she never said — how cruelly she was treated by her own parents, how lonely she had always been behind that perfect smile. And then I heard about her engagement to the Crown Prince of Sylarion.

My heart sank, but she never complained. Not once. She accepted her fate with quiet grace, even though it hurt her. And when she came here, the King and Queen treated her with more love than her own family ever did.

That was when I made my decision — to become her knight. Her only shield. The one person who would protect her when even her own could not.

"I hope the King you marry will take care of you like the Queen you truly are, my lady..." I smiled faintly, looking down at her sleeping face.

A few moments later, I realized she still hadn't returned to her room — which could cause trouble if anyone saw her like this. Rumors spread easily in the palace.

I removed my upper coat and gently draped it over her, covering her slightly disheveled attire. Then I bent down and lifted her carefully into my arms.

"Ugh..." she murmured, half-asleep, her hand clutching at my collar. She brushed her other hand lightly against my chest.

My heart skipped a beat.

"So... soft... I like it," she mumbled, still dreaming.

Those words — innocent yet utterly disarming — made my ears burn crimson. Without wasting another second, I rushed out of the library with her still in my arms.

After a few minutes, I reached her chamber door.

"Sir... what is the lady doing in your arms?" a maid appeared out of nowhere, her tone sharp.

"She fell asleep in the library, so I brought her back. Now that you're here, could you please take her and help her lie down to rest?" I said, trying to keep calm.

"Huh?! Is she a little child—"

Dash!

Before she could finish, I kicked the door open. Why did I even bother asking her?

I strode in, laid my lady gently on the bed, and tucked the blanket around her.

"Good night, my lady," I whispered. Then I turned to the maid, my gaze firm. "Take care of her. If you don't... we'll see tomorrow."

Her body stiffened. "Y-yes, Sir Alan! I will!" she stammered

The Next Morning

✨Bella's POV:

The sunlight streamed through the windows, its warmth kissing my face.

"Ugh! Close the curtains!" I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head.

"It's time to wake up, my lady! I won't let you sleep while we maids wake before dawn," the maid scolded, tugging the blanket away.

"Ah... don't. I'm still sleepy... just a few more minutes, please?" I pleaded, my voice muffled.

"Huh? Of course you're sleepy," she said with a mocking smirk. "After spending the whole night with that man, right?"

I blinked. Her words hit me like a splash of cold water.

Wait.

I sat up straight, realizing I was in a room. My room.

"Wait—how did I end up here?!" I exclaimed, wide-eyed.

She crossed her arms. "Really? Don't tell me you don't remember how you ended up here after being with that man all night?" Her tone dripped with disgust.

"The man... means Alan?" I whispered to myself.

"I really don't understand why the Queen chose you to be the future Queen when you're nothing but a bit—"

Ugh! .Before she could finish that sentence, I jumped from the bed, grabbed the small knife from the fruit basket, and pressed it lightly against her neck.

"Look! What kind of bic* do you think I am now?! What—are you scared?" I hissed.

Her body trembled. "P-please forgive me, m-my lady!"

"Huh! I don't understand why you even try to bully me when it's not working!" I raised my voice, eyes locked on hers.

"Because... you've changed," she muttered.

Oh! That makes sense... "Okay then — just don't try to outsmart me. It's really not going to work."

I sighed, placing the knife back on the table. "Anyway, what am I going to do now? I'm still sleepy... so I'm going to sleep again, alright?" I waved my hand, signaling her to leave.

But she stopped me. "No, you can't, my lady. Nine days from now, there will be a grand ball — to welcome you as our next Queen."

"What...?" My body froze. A shiver crawled down my spine. A ball?

I had never been the type to enjoy social gatherings. The thought of being surrounded by strangers, eyes all fixed on me, was enough to make me feel dizzy.

"Yes, my lady. So today you'll have dance lessons and etiquette training," she said firmly.

I turned with an awkward smile. "Ahaha... can I not attend those classes?"

"No, my lady, you must. You'll represent yourself as the future Queen of Sylarion — you need to be perfect in everything!" she said, already grabbing my arm.

"Ah! No, you don't have to—I-I can bathe myself!" I protested as she began dragging me to the bath.

"No, my lady! Today, Miss Irene is coming. My responsibility is to make you flawless — it's her direct order. So don't be a hassle and let. Me. Bathe. You!"

She practically hauled me into the bathroom.

"Wait! Who's coming?!"

"Your etiquette teacher, my lady! And also previous one was lenient but this lady is said to be so strict!. So, I have to make you look elegant.Now, let's go!"

And so... I felt like a forced queen.

After what felt like ages, I was finally dressed — a beautiful baby pink gown that shimmered softly under the light, my hair tied into a delicate single braid, adorned with matching jewels. I couldn't deny it... I looked like a queen. A beautiful one.

"You did wonderful, Lara," I said. She told me her name while fussing with my braid.

"Of course! That's why the King personally asked me to do your makeover — because I have a talent no one else here does," she said proudly, smirking at her own handiwork.

We walked together to the room where the dance lessons were held. Inside sat Miss Irene — a graceful woman sipping her tea elegantly on a velvet couch. Her presence alone radiated refinement.

"Oho! Good morning, Lady Rosendale!" she said, standing as soon as I entered.

"Ah—please, you don't have to stand, ma'am."

"Oh! That's so kind of you," she said with a warm smile, offering me a cup of tea.

"Thank you, ma'am," I said politely, doing my best to look as elegant as possible — sensing that perhaps this was her way of testing me.

She smiled approvingly. "You're a lady of a Baron's house and know your basic etiquette. That's a good sign."

We spoke for a few minutes about the upcoming lessons before the ball.

"Today we'll begin with dance practice. I asked one of the soldiers in training to be your partner since the King is not her—"

Before she could finish, the door opened.

"I hope I'm not late, Miss Irene?"

"Alan?" I breathed, stunned.

My heart stirred — an unfamiliar warmth blooming in my chest at the sight of him.