The Knight And His Princess

CHAPTER 7

Arthur’s POV

I don’t know why this girl affects me so deeply. When Dr. Jenny informed me that she has a phobia of injections, I couldn’t stop myself from going near her. I just wanted to make her feel safe—to let her know that I was there for her.

Her face... it felt familiar. She reminded me of her. Could it really be?

Maybe it's her innocence that pulls me in. That same softness, that same fragility. Her small hand clutched mine tighter, her brows furrowed in pain. And all I could think was—This is my fault. If I had been just a little more careful, she wouldn't be lying here suffering.

God, I'm such an i***t.

"It's okay. It'll be over soon," I whispered near her ear. She shivered. I gently drew soft circles on her palm, and slowly, she relaxed. When Dr. Jenny swabbed her arm with cotton, her body tensed again. Her hold on my hand grew tighter. Her eyes squeezed shut, and I couldn’t help but smile.

Such a baby.

Soon the doctor finished. Her eyes began to droop with exhaustion. Without a sound, I slipped out of the cabin to let her rest.

"Dino, did you get what I asked for?" I asked immediately.

"Yes, sir. The basic details are in this file. For a deeper report, it will be on your desk by morning," he replied, handing me a blue file marked Rainah Garcia.

Before going in with the doctor, I’d asked Dino to dig into her background. I do this with everyone I meet—it’s a habit. I don’t trust easily.

But with Rainah, it felt... different. I didn’t want to invade her privacy—I just wanted to let her family know she was safe.

As I flipped through the file, something caught my eye:

Little Flower Catholic School.

The same school my princess had gone to.

I turned back to the window. There she lay, sleeping peacefully like an angel. Now that I really looked—yes. She did look like her.

"Okay," I murmured, eyes never leaving her face. "Contact her parents."

---

Flashback

"Knight, I want to be a fairy," she said, her tiny fingers wrapped around mine as she looked up at the sky.

I smiled. "Princess, you already are a fairy."

"No, you’re lying," she pouted.

"Why would I lie to you?"

"Because fairies can fly... and I can’t," she said, eyes still fixed above.

From the first day I met her in that garden, I couldn't stop thinking about her. She was so timid then, barely spoke. I practically begged her to talk to me. But now? Now she wouldn't stop talking—and I loved every second of it.

I pinched her chubby cheeks. She looked younger than her age—all baby fat and blinking lashes.

"Why do you want to fly up there?"

"Perry said my mama and daddy are in the sky," she whispered. The sadness in her voice could drown worlds.

I could never understand what it was like to be an orphan. My parents weren’t around much, but at least I had my grandparents. I couldn’t imagine life without them.

She was stronger than anyone I knew.

"Your mama and daddy are proud of you, Princess," I said, wrapping an arm around her tiny shoulder.

"Really?" Her eyes lit up.

I kissed her forehead. "Yes."

Then her smile faded.

"What’s wrong, Princess?"

She blinked away tears. "Promise me you won’t leave me like they did."

"I won’t," I said. "Never."

"Pinky promise?"

She held up her little finger.

"Pinky promise."

---

Swirling my glass of red wine, I looked out from the full-length window of my office. The city sparkled below like a blanket of stars. It usually calmed me.

Not tonight.

Every moment with her played on repeat—her voice, her face, her tears. Her eyes. The way she curled into herself, flinched at pain, pouted unconsciously when nervous...

Everything about her screamed my princess.

Damn it.

I raked my fingers through my hair, frustrated. What the hell is wrong with me?

Knock. Knock.

I turned. "Come in."

"Good evening, sir. The full report on Ms. Garcia," Dino said, placing the file on my desk.

"You're quick, Dino. I’m impressed." I set the wine glass aside and opened the file.

"Thank you, sir. I’ll take my leave."

I didn’t look up. "Go."

Let’s see...

NAME: Rainah Garcia

D.O.B: 18th January, 1996

AGE: 24

BLOOD GROUP: A+

FOSTER FATHER: Rupert Garcia

FOSTER MOTHER: Veena Garcia

ADOPTION DATE: 25th September, 2008

PLACE: Angel’s Shelter, Alabama

My eyes widened.

She really is my princess.

I flipped through the rest. School records, medical info, foster family details...

And then I saw it.

Boyfriend: Lucas Smith

Manager at EJD Diner—owned by my grandfather.

Perfect.

If this guy ever dares hurt her, I’ll make him disappear. Painfully.

A part of me stung, knowing she had someone. But I couldn’t blame her. I’d had past relationships too. Still, if Lucas ever breaks her heart...

I clenched my fists.

She’s mine to protect.

I glanced at my watch: 9:56 PM. She must be asleep.

Just one look.

I texted Roy to bring the car around, grabbed my wallet, and left.

Inside the elevator, I couldn't stop thinking about her. I found her. After all these years, I finally found her.

This time, I won’t let go.

Princess, I’m coming.

---

As expected, Dino held the car door open. I slid in.

"To JWELL D’S CARE," I instructed—the hospital named after my grandmother.

On the way, I received a text from my father.

Dad: Can you join us for breakfast tomorrow? Your mother insists.

Weird.

My family doesn’t "do" breakfast. Business lunches, yes. Dinners, sometimes. But not casual breakfasts.

Still, I agreed.

Right now, nothing else mattered.

I had one goal.

Make sure she’s okay.

My Princess.