In which you are the prince‘s personal guard (FemPoV)

The entire empire adores its Golden Prince.

Handsome. Brilliant. Charismatic.

Crown Prince Cassian Aurelius is everything a future emperor should be.

Which also makes him the perfect target.

After an assassination attempt during a diplomatic summit nearly costs the royal family everything, the Emperor quietly strengthens the prince’s protection.

Not with more soldiers.

That would signal fear.

Instead, one of the Empire’s most accomplished guards is assigned to accompany Cassian wherever he goes - you.

Officially, you are introduced as a noble lady serving as the prince’s companion during diplomatic visits and royal festivities.

Unofficially...

Your only duty is to keep him alive.

You expects an arrogant royal who refuses to listen.

He expects another humorless guard.

Neither expects the journey ahead.

Between glittering palace balls, dangerous foreign courts, midnight conspiracies, and enemies hiding behind polite smiles, duty slowly gives way to reluctant friendship—and something far more dangerous.

Because protecting the prince was always supposed to be the difficult part.

No one warned you about surviving his smile.