I slowly opened my eyes, only to be greeted by an unfamiliar ceiling. It was not my chamber.

Birds chirped softly outside, their songs weaving through the quiet air. A cool breeze slipped in through the window, brushing against my cheeks like a gentle kiss.

“Hm…”

Fragments of the dream returned to me every word, every warning, every shattered image.

"I must stay away from you…"The thought escaped my lips in a whisper.

A soft knock followed.

“My lady? Are you awake? May I come in?”

“Ah… yes. You may,” I replied as I lifted myself up to sit.

The door opened, and he stepped inside wearing that same familiar warmth, the same smile that had followed me since childhood.

“Good morning, my lady.”

He moved closer, placing a tray on the small table beside my bed. The faint aroma of warm bread and tea filled the room.

“Now that you are awake, I hope you will freshen up. I brought you breakfast.”

My gaze lingered on the tray before lifting to him.

“Alan… where is this place? Why did you bring me here?”

“Oh—about that.” He hesitated slightly. “Last night, when you passed out, I intended to take you back to the palace. But in your sleep… you kept saying you did not want to return. You cried.”

His voice softened.

“So I thought it best to bring you to an inn, just until you felt better. Then we could leave for the palace.”

So… I said all of that aloud?

My heart skipped.

“Have you lost your mind?!” I exclaimed. “How could you bring me here? If Alex finds out you kept me away from the palace, he will punish you!”

He remained calm.

“You need not worry, my lady. Some soldiers saw you in a black robe and mistook you for an assassin. I will tell them that I fought with the intruder and brought you back safely.”

“What?” My breath caught. “You knew it was me?”

“Yes,” he replied with a quiet chuckle. “The way you climbed the wall reminded me of how you used to do it when we were children.”

“Still… you should not have brought me here.” My voice lowered.

He bowed his head. “I apologize, my lady. When I saw you weep, I acted as a friend—without your permission. I am sorry.”

This is exactly what I fear.

His kindness, always gentle, always sincere had the power to undo me. No matter how firmly I tried to turn my heart into stone, he shattered it effortlessly.

But now… I could not allow it.

If I wanted Alan to live… I had to be cruel.

I lowered my gaze.

“Alan, who do you think you are?” I said coldly. “You are nothing but my knight. A knight,not my friend. Your duty is to protect me from danger, not to grow close to me.”

“I–I am sorry, my lady,” he said softly.

“Yes, you should be.”

I clenched the blanket tightly, my fingers trembling.

“We are not children anymore. You show me kindness, but others see something else. So please, Alan,I beg you do not come close to me again. Otherwise, both my reputation and that of my future spouse will be stained… along with the kingdom.”

Each word tore through me as it left my mouth. I could feel the pain echoing between us.

“I will bury your words deep within my mind, my lady,” he replied.

I swallowed hard and stood.

“Then… I should apologize as well.”

I bowed.

“For forcing you into friendship when I knew it was wrong. As I was engaged to the king i must avoid any false rumours but i didn't care about it and...For the punishment you endured because of me. I sincerely apologize for my immaturity, Sir Alan.”

“My lady? No please.” He stepped forward, then stopped himself. “You should never bow to me. It should be I who begs forgiveness for failing to protect you that day.”

“See?” I whispered. “You care for me and that is not wrong. But others misunderstand it. You must learn to restrain your concern… or you will continue to suffer because of me.”

Suddenly, he knelt.

My breath caught.

The smile that once lived on his face had faded, replaced by quiet sorrow.

“I understand your concern now, my lady.”

He placed a hand over his chest.

“So I, Alan, your knight.promise this: I will never speak to you as a close friend again. I will devote myself solely to your protection. I am a knight who will die for you, protect you until my last breath, and remain disciplined above all.”

He paused.

“So from this moment onward… our journey of friendship ends.”

The words struck me like blades one after another piercing my heart.

His voice trembled as he spoke.

He knows…

I stared at him, unable to move, until he finally met my gaze. Once again, that beautiful smile returned.

How could he smile like that?

“My lady, now that everything is clear, you need not worry about your future.”

He stood and turned away.

“I only wish for your well-being… even as your knight. So I shall take my leave.”

I watched him walk toward the door, my voice trapped in my throat.

He stopped.

“Oh! my lady.” He glanced back gently. “Your breakfast is getting cold.”

With a bow, he left.

Leaving me alone.

“Alan…” I whispered.

I wanted to cry, but my tears refused to fall.

Silence swallowed the room.

Only then did I realize that. I have lost my friend. My only friend who actually cared for me...