"The crown prince won't be able to make it today due to some external affairs outside the Kingdom. He sincerely apolo-" a familiar knight from the Crown prince's troupe had stopped speaking as he noticed the princess before him frown a little.

"that's fine." (y/n) answers back with a little smile. "I'm sure brother has more work to do than help me practice dancing for the debutante party."

"It was urgent, my lady. He was sent in immediately as per the King's instructions." The knight tells as he bows down in respect. (Y/n) acknowledges it as she asks the Knight to stand upright.

"It is alright sir, you should perhaps get going." She says as she dismisses him and watches the knight leave the hall. As she hears the doors shut, she leaves an exhausted sigh as she pulls her hair slightly in distress.

"How must I even prepare for this party when I barely know any dancing!" she thinks to herself as she lets go of her hair and walks back and forth the empty hall. Her Knight stood there, observing his lady before he came forth and stood five paces behind her. 

"Princess (Y/n), if  his Royal Highness, the Crown prince is to not engage in your dance practice today, I would advise that you go finish preparing other orderly lists for the debutante." he says in a firm tone as he watches his lady turn around immediately, listening to him. 

"The Crown Prince might not return for days Captain! The debutante is just a matter of few more weeks, how must I prepare for it!? The dance is THE highlight of the event!" 

A debutante party is an event every noble child goes through. It is the event where noble parents introduce their children to the noble society. Only through such events were noble children accepted into the society. 

However, when it came to the Royal family, this procedure was quite tedious. (Y/n) was a princess who preferred to mind her own business than appear in courts or any public events on behalf of the family. After all she wasn't the one to take on the throne so why must she trouble herself to attend such duties.

Hence, her image as the second child of the King was quite a mystery among nobles and the general public. Her existence itself was questioned as no one saw her beyond the palace walls for years. Which is why this debutante was deemed important. Her flaws, her character and everything would be preyed upon. 

She would become the target of the noble society. Even a simple mistake of placing her foot wrong while dancing would be criticized and that was the last thing she wanted as she only wished to live in peace. 

(y/n) sighed heavily as she was tired from overthinking. She looked over her the knight who was attentively listening to her rant. 

"Have you ever been to a debutante party, Captain?" she asks curiously which leaves the young Knight surprised as though he knew this conversation wasn't going in the right direction.

"I have my lady." he replied in few words which annoyed (y/n) a little as she hoped he would open up a little more than remain stoic and cold towards her everyday. 

"Whose debutante did you attend, sir knight?" she asks which leaves the Captain to shook his head a little low. Almost hesitant to answer anymore.

"My own debutante, two years ago my lady." He replies back hesitantly, under the peer pressure of (y/n)'s piercing gaze. On the contrary,(y/n) was surprised to hear it.

"You're a noble? I thought you came from a family of knights!" She says in a shocked tone, as if she was betrayed her whole life. No one had ever told her any stories of the Captain. None from the battlefield and none from his background. He just walked into the her palace alongside the Crown prince who insisted to make him the Princess's knight on a fine summer day before she turned fifteen.

"I was a noble. My family had fallen during the war and I am the only surviving member." He says firmly which leaves (y/n) a little sad. She wondered if that was the reason why he always appeared stoic and firm.

"I'm sorry for your losses, Captain." She mutters out in a low tone. In fact there followed a silence which was quiet unusual for him, especially when he was around the Princess who was energetic all day long. Noticing the heavy atmosphere, he tries to change the topic.

"It is nothing to be sorry of. Now, if I may ask-" he continues only to be cut off by the princess raises a question to him.

"Wait Captain. Since you are a noble and you have already learnt to dance, I assume you could still recall it?"

He spoke nothing, knowing where this conversation was clearly going. 

"You are to answer me, Captain!" (y/n) beams a sneaky smile as she inches the gap between them.

"I can." he replies.

"Excellent, then it is decided! We shall  get started immediately." She turns around to walk away to the main center of the hall, beneath the grand chandelier to begin. However, the Knight stood still as he looked at her, recalling the protocols in his head.

He stood still, not following his lady as he clenched his fists tight. "My lady." he called her in a firm tone as she looked over her shoulder before turning around.

"Yes, Captain?" she asks with a confused look in her face. It was far from confused however. She in fact, knew why he appeared hesitant.

 His dark eyes gazed into her (e/c) eyes, hoping for some understanding here. However, from the look of her eyes, it appeared that she was quite determined.

"It would not be appropriate for me to do this. I am your knight, the one to guard you with my life. If anyone were-" he was cut off immediately as she raised her hands and showed her palm, gesturing him to stay quiet.

"If anyone were to question it, I will deal with the issue myself." she says in a serious tone, putting her hand down. 

"You needn't worry Captain, I'm after all a senior member of this family unlike my relatives."

the confident look in her eyes convinced him. He knew it was unlike any other gaze that she had shown him before. 

TO BE CONTINUED.

a/n : How was the chapter? ^^