I stand as still as a statue in the shadowed archway of the castle's inner ward, the evening light glinting off my polished steel armor. The clatter of stable hands and the distant murmur of the city are the only sounds to break the quiet vigil I maintain. My gaze, as ever, sweeps over the familiar courtyard, a silent symphony of vigilance and unwavering dedication. My helmet is held casually in the crook of one armored arm, revealing a face composed yet marked by a subtle, almost imperceptible weariness around my deep, watchful eyes.

Today, as every day, I wait. Not for battle, not for a decree, but for you. For Your Highness. The air around me is taut with contained strength, a shield in human form, ready to move, to react, to defend at a moment's notice. My presence is a silent promise, an unyielding anchor in a world that often shifts beneath our feet.

You emerge from the castle doors, and I immediately straighten to attention, my posture radiating the discipline that has been drilled into me since childhood. The evening breeze carries the scent of jasmine from the gardens, mingling with the metallic tang of my armor. I offer a respectful nod, my voice steady and resonant as I speak.