Crown of my Heart..

------------------------------------------ The bells of Victoria rang as the sun slowly climbed over the horizon, its golden warmth spilling across the castle’s ivory walls. In the high balcony of the East Wing, Rose Victoria, the Crown Princess of the kingdom, stood in silence. Her long, silken hair flowed behind her like a stream of liquid gold, catching the morning light. Dressed in a pale lavender gown adorned with delicate embroidery, she looked every bit the princess that ballads and stories spoke of—graceful, gentle, and untouchably elegant. Yet, behind her serene eyes lay the loneliness of someone who carried the weight of an entire kingdom on her slender shoulders. At twenty-four, she was the pride of her father, King Ravel Victoria, and the symbol of hope for the people. But for Rose, life wasn’t all golden halls and glittering jewels. Every smile she wore in public was a carefully woven mask. Today, as she looked over the endless meadows and villages beyond the castle, she sighed softly. Her thoughts wandered to the knights training in the courtyard below—the clang of steel, the grunts of effort, and the sharp sound of swords meeting shields. Her eyes stopped at one particular figure, towering above all others, his blade moving with deadly precision. Lucian Aries. The name itself was enough to make her heartbeat falter. A man carved from strength and loyalty, Lucian was unlike any knight she had ever known. At 6’4, his muscular frame and broad shoulders made him look almost invincible, like a wall that could shield an entire army. His black hair, tousled from combat, stuck slightly to his forehead, while his sharp gray eyes gleamed with focus. To the entire kingdom, he was the knight of knights—the war hero who had defeated entire battalions and brought victory to Victoria’s flag. To Rose, however, he was something far more complicated. Her father trusted Lucian more than any advisor. Whenever danger loomed near, King Ravel would summon Lucian to stand by her side as a personal guard. Though Lucian spoke little, there was a quiet fire in his gaze whenever it lingered on her—a fire Rose was sure no one else noticed. But Rose noticed. She always noticed. --- “Your Highness, the King requests your presence at the dining hall,” said Lady Arwen, one of Rose’s maids, breaking her thoughts. Rose turned, her gentle smile softening her already delicate features. “Tell my father I will join him shortly.” As Lady Arwen left, Rose stole one last glance at the courtyard below. Lucian was now wiping his blade with a cloth, his powerful arms flexing under his black tunic. Even from afar, she could see the faint scar that ran down his forearm—marks of battles fought not for his own life, but for hers. Her chest tightened with an emotion she dared not name. --- The royal dining hall was warm with the scent of honeyed bread and roasted meats. King Ravel, a man of commanding presence with streaks of silver in his hair, sat at the head of the table. His piercing blue eyes softened as soon as they landed on Rose. “My dearest Rose,” he said with a fond smile, “did you sleep well?” “Yes, Father,” she replied, taking her seat beside him. He reached out to touch her hand. “I sometimes wonder if I’ve asked too much of you. Being Crown Princess at your age… I wanted to give you a life free from burdens.” Rose shook her head, her voice steady but kind. “Mother would be proud of what you’ve built, Father. And I will protect Victoria’s future, just as she did.” A shadow passed over Ravel’s face at the mention of Queen Elizabeth, Rose’s late mother. He had never stopped loving her, even after her death. Though he remarried for the sake of alliances, Maria, his second wife, had never truly held his heart. Speaking of Maria, Rose noticed her stepmother’s absence at the table. It was a quiet relief. Every interaction with Maria carried a poison-laced edge, a constant reminder of how unwelcome Rose was in her stepmother’s eyes. --- Later that afternoon, Rose decided to take a walk in the palace gardens, her sanctuary of peace. The sun was high, painting the sky in shades of warm gold and pale blue. The roses bloomed brilliantly under its light, their crimson petals glowing like drops of velvet fire. She trailed her fingertips across the flowers as she walked, her long gown whispering against the trimmed grass. Every petal, every breeze in this garden, carried with it the memories of her childhood. It was here, among the roses, that she had once worn her first crown—a delicate creation of flowers her mother had braided into her hair. She could still remember her mother’s soft laughter and warm hands that day. Now, as the Crown Princess of the Victoria Kingdom, her crown was heavier, colder, forged of gold and responsibility rather than flowers and innocence. Yet, here in the garden, she could almost feel like that little girl again. Rose paused by the white marble fountain at the center of the garden. The water shimmered in ripples as the wind stirred its surface, reflecting her image back at her—elegant yet tired. The weight of being the eldest princess never truly left her shoulders. She closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the fragrance of the roses, letting the gentle rustle of leaves and chirping birds ease her thoughts. It was rare for her to be alone. Rarer still to find peace “Your Highness, it’s unsafe for you to walk without a guard,” a familiar voice said behind her. Rose’s breath caught slightly. She turned to see Lucian, dressed in his dark knight uniform, with his sword strapped across his back. His voice was deep, smooth, yet commanding. “I’m in my own garden, Sir Lucian,” she said with a playful tilt of her head. “What danger do you expect to find among roses?” Lucian’s lips curved slightly—not a smile, but something close. “The most beautiful things are often the most vulnerable,” he murmured. His eyes lingered on her face for a moment too long, but then he looked away, his usual stoicism returning. Rose’s heart fluttered. Did he mean the roses… or her? --- Suddenly, a sharp sound echoed through the gardens. A whistle—then the hiss of something slicing the air. Lucian reacted before Rose could even breathe. “Down!” he barked, pushing her gently but firmly to the ground. A black-feathered arrow shot past, lodging itself into the tree trunk behind them. Rose gasped, her wide eyes darting to the trees where shadows moved. “Stay behind me princess,” Lucian ordered, drawing his sword in one swift motion. A group of masked men emerged from the trees, swords gleaming. Assassins. Their movements were swift, but Lucian was swifter. He struck down the first attacker with a single, clean s***h, his muscles rippling as he moved like a force of nature. Rose, crouched behind the marble fountain, could only watch in awe and fear as Lucian fought for her. “Who sent you?” Lucian growled, gripping one assassin by the collar before knocking him unconscious. But the others fled before he could catch them. When the silence returned, Lucian sheathed his sword and knelt before Rose. His hand, warm and rough from battle, reached for hers. “Are you hurt, Your Highness?” Rose’s heart was pounding. “N-No… I’m fine.” Her voice trembled as she looked into his stormy gray eyes, seeing not just a knight but the man who would face death without hesitation for her sake. “You shouldn’t walk alone again,” Lucian said softly, almost like a plea. Rose’s lips parted to respond, but the words never came. Instead, she simply nodded, unable to tear her gaze from his. --- That night, Rose stood at her balcony, unable to shake the memory of Lucian’s hand holding hers. She could still feel the warmth of his calloused palm, still hear the way his voice softened when speaking to her alone. From her balcony, she spotted him again—standing guard near the gates, his sword by his side, his posture unshaken despite the long day. His loyalty was unyielding, and yet, there was a gentleness in the way he looked toward her tower, as if his very heart beat there. Rose touched her chest, a shy smile curving her lips. Does he know… that I notice him too? ...TO BE CONTINUED....