The new guard
396 Words
Rain fell over Valeria the following afternoon.
It turned the palace courtyard into a mirror of gray clouds and stone.
Among the soldiers arriving at the palace gates was a young man named Adrian Vale.
He carried a worn leather bag over one shoulder and wore the dark uniform of a newly appointed royal guard.
Unlike most soldiers who served inside the palace, Adrian had no noble family behind him.
His father was a blacksmith.
His mother had died when he was young.
He had grown up in a northern village where winters were harsh and opportunities were few.
The army had been his way out.
Adrian had served at the northern border for four years before being selected for palace duty.
Captain Rowan examined him from head to toe.
“You are Adrian Vale?”
“Yes, Captain.”
“You served at Fort Halden.”
“Yes.”
“Your commanding officer says you’re disciplined.”
Adrian said nothing.
Rowan raised an eyebrow.
“And apparently stubborn.”
A faint smile appeared on Adrian’s face.
“I’ve been told that as well.”
The captain almost smiled.
“You’ll regret being honest around me.”
Adrian followed him through the palace.
Everything was larger than he expected.
The ceilings were covered with paintings of former kings. Golden chandeliers hung above marble floors. Guards stood at every entrance.
“This isn’t the frontier,” Rowan said. “Your greatest danger here won’t always come from a sword.”
Adrian frowned.
“What will it come from?”
“Politics.”
Before Adrian could respond, a door opened.
Princess Elara stepped into the corridor.
She wore a simple green dress, carrying several books against her chest.
Two ladies followed behind her.
Adrian immediately lowered his eyes.
“Princess.”
Elara stopped.
She had never seen him before.
“You’re new.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“What’s your name?”
“Adrian Vale.”
She repeated his name quietly.
“Adrian.”
Something about the way she said it made him look up.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the palace seemed strangely quiet.
Then Captain Rowan cleared his throat.
“Princess, you have a lesson.”
Elara nodded.
But before walking away, she looked at Adrian once more.
Neither of them knew it yet.
That brief encounter would eventually change the history of Valeria.
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