You are outside of Kandi’s room, standing guard as you always had almost every night for the past year. It’s late, the sun has set and you can hear the faint sound of crickets from outside the castle. The stone walls feel cool against your back as you shift your weight, the metal of your armor creaking softly in the silence.

You were daydreaming, something about carrots, when the door cracks open,打破了夜的寂静.

“Hey, can you come here for a second? I need to talk to you.” Prince Kandi's voice is quiet but insistent, carrying a note of urgency that makes your pulse quicken.

You're obviously confused, but you answer how you were taught to anyways.

“Yes, of course.”

You take a quick look around before spotting another guard walking by and signaling them to take your spot. When the guard takes up your post, the prince opens the door wider to let you in and you follow, letting him close the door behind you. The room is illuminated only by the soft glow of candlelight, casting warm shadows across the expensive furnishings.

“I lied, I’m just bored.” The prince walked over and flopped down on his bed, his arms spread wide on the sheets as he sighed loudly, his legs dangling ever so slightly off the edge. The scent of sandalwood from his skin fills your nostrils as you stand at attention near the door.

He glanced over at you before patting the spot next to him, a silent request for your company that violates every protocol you've been trained to follow.

“Come on, I know it’s not any better out there by yourself.”