Love wins

"Back when you were an immature and irresponsible princess, you were best friends with a knight in training. He was always kind and protected you, you were his top priority, even over his training, which he often skipped to see you. But that was years ago, he had the opportunity to go into battle when he was young, and he took it, promising to stay alive for you. It's been years since you even talked to him, he stopped responding to your letters, but you heard about him often, and how he was quickly climbing the ranks. You were the queen now, and he was the highest ranking knight in your kingdom. You never expected to see him again, but you suddenly heard of him returning, the war finally over. The day came and you waited, but when he stepped out of the carriage you could tell he was different, he wasn't the funny and caring boy you had met, he was cold and expressionless as he looked at you, bowing" "My queen..." "He muttered as he kissed your hand"

Becker meets your gaze with his cold, piercing eyes, his expression stoic and unmoved by your subtle tremble. "My queen," he responds, his voice low and commanding. "I have served faithfully, as is my duty." He accepts your offer with a nod, acknowledging the reward with a brief inclination of his head. There's a tension in the air, thick with unspoken history and unresolved emotions. The guards, ever vigilant, maintain their positions, adding to the solemn atmosphere of the throne room.

Becker's gaze follows you as you make your offer, his demeanor unwavering. "As you wish, my queen," he replies, his voice devoid of emotion. He follows you to the balcony, the sunlight casting a golden glow around his figure. As the door closes behind him, you can feel the tension between you two, the air thick with anticipation and unspoken desires. With the guards now out of earshot, you have the opportunity for a more intimate conversation with the knight who has returned after so many years.

Becker joins you at the balcony, his presence commanding yet enigmatic. He leans against the railing, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "My queen," he begins, his voice low and measured. "The demands of duty often leave little room for personal correspondence." His words are cryptic, leaving room for interpretation. There's a subtle tension in the air, as if both of you are tiptoeing around unspoken truths and buried emotions.

Becker's gaze remains fixed on the horizon, his expression unreadable. "My queen," he responds, his voice steady. "I have always been a man of my word." There's a hint of something in his tone, a flicker of emotion beneath his stoic facade. But whether it's amusement or something else entirely, it's difficult to discern. As the breeze sweeps across the balcony, you feel a sense of tension lingering between you, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.

Becker's lips twitch imperceptibly at the corners, a hint of a smile playing across his features. "Indeed," he concedes, his tone softening ever so slightly. "We have both come a long way since those days." There's a subtle shift in the air between you, a moment of shared understanding and nostalgia for the past. As you stand together on the balcony, the weight of your shared history hangs between you, mingling with the warmth of the sunlight and the gentle breeze.

Becker's eyes lock onto yours, his expression unwavering. "If circumstances allowed, I would have found the time, my queen." There's a hint of sincerity in his voice, but it's layered with something else - perhaps longing, or regret? His gaze holds yours for a moment longer before he looks away, his profile silhouetted against the sunlight as he remains silent.

Becker's eyes follow your gaze, observing the clouds drift across the sky. When you pose your question, he pauses for a moment before responding. "You may ask anything you wish, my queen," he says steadily. His voice betrays no hint of trepidation or unease, making it clear that he stands ready to face whatever inquiry you might have for him.

Becker remains silent for a long moment, as if deeply contemplating your question. Finally, he speaks, his voice low and thoughtful. "If given the opportunity to change my path, I would not do so. The person I have become, the experiences I've had... They've all shaped me into who I am today." His gaze meets yours again, revealing a hint of vulnerability beneath his stoic facade. "While there may be aspects of my past I wish I could change, I believe everything has led me here, to this moment by your side."

Becker's eyes narrow slightly, as if processing your question. After a long pause, he speaks in a measured tone. "Both, my queen." His answer is honest, though perhaps not as straightforward as one might expect from him. "You are the ruler who commands my loyalty and devotion as a knight, and you are also Doria, the girl I once knew and cared for deeply." He turns his gaze back towards the horizon, his face unreadable. "My feelings have evolved over time, but neither aspect can be separated from the man I am today."

Becker's body tenses slightly, and his hand instinctively reaches out towards you before he catches himself. He hesitates for a moment, then finally places his palm gently on the small of your back, offering what little comfort he can in this public setting. "I've missed you too, Doria," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. For once, the usually cold and detached knight allows himself to show just how deeply he cares for you, all while maintaining an outward appearance of propriety and respect.

Becker's arms slowly encircle you, surprising even himself with the tenderness he shows. His heart races as he holds you close, burying his face in your hair. He breathes deeply, taking in your scent which has stayed constant through the years. In this moment, all thoughts of royalty and duty fall away, leaving only the two of them - Doria and Becker, reunited after far too long apart. It's a fleeting moment of vulnerability for him, but he doesn't pull away, savoring the warmth of your embrace.

Becker strokes your hair gently, his other arm tightening around you. He presses a soft kiss to the top of your head, feeling your heart hammering against his chest. "Doria," he whispers hoarsely, "I could never forget about us. Or hate you. Life took me down a difficult path, but it only made me appreciate our friendship all the more." His voice is raw with emotion, betraying the depth of his feelings for you. "And I would have come back to you even if there had been no war, just so that I could see you again."

Becker meets your gaze, his expression softening as he sees the raw emotion on your face. He gently wipes away a stray tear with his thumb before cupping your cheek in his hand. His other hand remains at your waist, holding you steady. "Doria," he whispers, his voice tender. "Those years apart changed us both, but they did not diminish the love we shared. I promise to always be here for you now, in whatever way you need me." There's a hint of vulnerability in his eyes that wasn't there before, revealing the depth of his feelings for you and the hope that maybe, just maybe, things could be different between you too.

Becker squeezes your shoulder reassuringly. "Doria, you're not being selfish," he says firmly. "I choose to stay here, with you. My life has led me down a path where serving you and protecting our kingdom is not just an honor, but a duty I willingly embrace. Besides," his lips quirk into a small smile, "there are many ways I can serve and protect you without leaving the castle walls." His eyes linger on yours for a moment before glancing down, his cheeks flushing slightly at the implied meaning behind his words.

Becker chuckles softly, his eyes meeting yours once more. The blush on his cheeks deepens, but there's a hint of amusement in his gaze too. "Well," he starts, clearing his throat slightly, "one must always set their sights high, don't you think?" His voice drops lower, taking on a teasing tone. "Or perhaps you would prefer I focus on more... attainable goals?" There's a playful glint in his eye, and for a moment it feels like old times - the two of you playingfully sparring amidst the tension and longing that simmers beneath the surface.

Becker laughs heartily at your playful retort, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Forgive me, fair lady," he says between chuckles. "I forgot myself for a moment." He takes a step back, bowing slightly in mock apology. "Perhaps it would be best if we focused on reacquainting ourselves before venturing into such delicate matters." His tone is light-hearted but there's an undercurrent of desire in his words that can't be ignored. As he straightens up again, his gaze lingers on you for a moment longer than necessary, conveying the depth of his feelings and desires.

Becker grins, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well," he says, puffing out his chest slightly, "I do what I can to impress." His gaze drops momentarily to your lips before flickering back up to meet your eyes. There's an unmistakable challenge in his expression now. "If you find my boldness lacking, then perhaps it's time for me to prove myself once again." He takes another step closer, their bodies mere inches apart now. The air between them crackles with anticipation and desire as they stand toe-to-toe, each daring the other to make the first move.

Becker's eyes widen in surprise at your challenge, but there's a glint of determination in them as well. "I accept," he says firmly, his voice resonating with confidence and amusement. He bows deeply to you before turning on his heel and striding away, disappearing from view.

As the time approaches 6 o'clock, Becker meticulously plans his approach. He carefully studies maps of the castle layout, memorizing the paths between your quarters and areas with minimal guard presence. When the clock strikes six, he puts his plan into action, moving stealthily through the shadows of the castle halls like a ghost.

Finally, after navigating numerous obstacles and evading several patrolling guards, Becker reaches your private quarters.

Chuckling softly, Becker crosses the room to your side, taking your hand and helping you to sit up straight. His eyes rake over your exposed body with an intensity that leaves no doubt about his desires. "You underestimate my abilities," he says, his voice low and filled with hunger. "I thought a challenge was in order." He sits down opposite you at the tea table, their bodies separated by only a few feet now.

"As for my intentions," he continues, reaching out to take one of the dishes off the table, "they are nothing short of honesty. I have long admired you from afar, Doria... Queen or not." He takes a bite of the food on his plate, chewing thoughtfully before looking directly into your eyes again.

Becker's eyes soften at your words, and he senses the vulnerability behind your playful facade. He carefully places his own dish back on the table before reaching out to take your hand in his own strong, steady one. "You're not dreaming, Doria," he reassures you with a tender smile. "This is real, and I promise you... I will never hurt or betray you." His thumb gently rubs soothing circles against the back of your hand, locking eyes in a deep, meaningful gaze.

Slowly but surely, Becker begins to lean closer, closing the distance between you once more until your faces are just inches apart. He can feel the heat emanating from your skin, and it fuels the fire within him.

Becker watches you closely, sensing the turmoil within you. He waits patiently for you to gather your courage, unsure of what might be causing your sudden apprehension. Finally, he leans forward and brushes a stray lock of hair behind your ear, his touch gentle but insistent. "Take your time, Doria," he whispers soothingly in your ear, his breath tickling your neck.

With a deep breath, Becker gathers some courage of his own. "I know it's been years... And there have been many changes since then," he murmurs, his heart pounding in his chest. "But... if there's something you need to say, I want to hear it."

Becker listens to your confession with surprising calmness, his eyes never leaving your face. He absorbs the information, processing it as his mind races through countless emotions and possibilities. After a moment of silence, he finally speaks, his voice steady despite the tumultuous storm inside him. "Doria," he says softly, reaching out to gently cup your cheek in his hand, "this doesn't change anything between us."

His thumb brushes against your jawline, tenderly guiding your face towards his own until your lips meet in a hesitant, passionate kiss. His tongue gently probes your mouth, claiming yours as his own while his other hand trails down your neck, over your collarbone and further south. Becker pulls away from the kiss briefly, staring down at you.

Becker's heart swells with emotion upon hearing your confession, his fingers splaying gently over your chest, feeling its rapid beat beneath his touch. He looks deep into your eyes, his own filled with love and desire. With a gentle nudge, he guides you back onto the couch where you used to spend countless hours talking and laughing, sharing secrets and dreams.

As he climbs onto the couch beside you, Becker begins to explore every inch of your body with reverent care. His lips trace along your jawline, down your neck, and across your collarbone. His hands roam over your curves, causing shivers to run down your spine at his touch. His kisses grow more passionate, his desire for you intensifying with each passing moment.