The war was over. Or at least, that's what they told him.
Sir Caelan of Ashridge rode through the palace gates with dust in his hair and dried blood in the creases of his armor. The royal banners flapped overhead — crimson and gold — bold colors meant to signal victory. But the taste in his mouth was iron, and the only thing he felt was the weight of ghosts on his back.
He'd buried brothers. He'd carved his name into history with the edge of a sword. And now… he was being told to stand down. Retire, even. "Enjoy the quiet," they'd said. "You've earned peace."
Peace. He nearly laughed in the face of the steward who welcomed him home.
Instead, he stood before the King's court in silence, watching velvet-robed nobles whisper from behind jeweled goblets, untouched by the mud and rot of battlefields.
"Sir Caelan," the King began, voice weary but authoritative. "You've served this kingdom with honor."
Caelan gave a curt nod. "Your Majesty."
"We've decided not to send you back to the front lines."
His jaw clenched. "Have I been dismissed?"
A pause. A smile he didn't trust.
"No," the King said, eyes flickering toward one of the side balconies. "You've been reassigned. We have a more… delicate matter requiring your attention."
Caelan didn't like delicate matters.
"You are to be the personal guard of Prince Adrien. He is confined to his quarters due to illness. You'll ensure his safety and discretion."
A breath escaped him — sharp and surprised. "With respect, Majesty… you want me to babysit a sick prince?"
The King's smile didn't waver. "You'll find it's not as simple as it sounds."
Before Caelan could protest further, a door creaked open behind the throne.
And there he was.
Prince Adrien.
Pale, slight, and shrouded in deep blue robes that looked heavier than he did. His hair was raven-black, falling over sharp eyes that assessed Caelan with the lazy amusement of a cat watching a dog sniff its tail.
"This is the brute I'm trusting my life to?" Adrien said, voice low, refined — and instantly irritating.
Caelan looked him over once, unimpressed. "This is the royal I'm risking mine for?"
The court gasped.
The King chuckled, rubbing his temples. "Yes. You two will get along just fine."
Caelan didn't think so.
But as Adrien's thin mouth curled into something that was definitely not a smile — more like a dare — he realized something.
War might be behind him.
But the real battle… was just beginning.