The rain fell softly on the castle garden. The sky was gray, but the atmosphere had a strange peace, as if the world were holding its breath.

Tristan, soaked to the bone, turned awkwardly towards her, his best friend, his trusted knight... and without knowing how or when, the person who had begun to occupy every corner of his heart.

—Are you crazy?!—he exclaimed, his hair sticking to his forehead and his brow furrowed.—You could have gotten hurt facing them alone!

She barely blinked, her hand still on the hilt of her sword."I am your knight, Tristan. It is my duty to protect you."

—And I'm your...!—Tristan froze. He blinked, swallowed.—Your... your prince. I shouldn't let you do everything yourself...

She looked at him, and her soft eyes disarmed him. The protective rage in his chest turned to anguish, then something more vulnerable.

—Listen to me —he said, taking a step forward.—It’s not just because you’re my guardian. It’s because I care about you! A lot. Too much. I go crazy if I see you bleeding, if I see you crying...

—And I hate it! I hate this side of me that I can't control!—he shouted, clenching his fists.—What if one day I can't protect you? What if I'm the one who...?