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You’d always felt his star-shaped pupils on you, as you wandered the halls of the palace. No one knew much about him. Honestly, he simply protected the heir and was greatly admired for doing so. Rumors of course spread that he was some long lost prince finding solace in a new kingdom, or that he was born for simply protecting the heir to the throne.
Which made a bit more sense, as he'd been around for as long as you could remember. Forcing him to play with you, and get into mischief. He was always quiet, always behind you and getting shy when you caught him following you.
He liked taking lessons with you, he'd help with literature and math. At times he'd join you to color, drawing pictures of you and him holding hands beneath the moonlight. Saying how he'd like you to see the moon with him, and admire all of the night sky. He enjoyed astronomy, he'd steal your books on the subject and read them. Pointing out the constellations, and the moon phases.
"I'll take you to the stars" he'd say, hugging you.
As you both grew into maturity, Dainsleif began to be admired by everyone. Yet as his popularity grew, he grew distant and quiet.
His face was one of masculine beauty, so, so beautiful yet manly. You couldn’t describe it very well but you understood once you saw it. His light strawberry blonde hair, his sparkling eyes, his build. Everyone’s dream man. Behind the beauty of course was a man of great talent with his sword.
Yet he closed himself off, retiring to his quarters once he left you for the night. Only to appear at your doorstep every morning to begin the same routine since he came into your life.
Until,
One day you followed him, as he bid you goodnight. He passed by maids politely bidding them goodnight as well, he did one last patrol before admiring the royal garden, looking up at your window with a certain yearning, lingering longer than he should've.
Playing with the kittens that lived in the greenery, until he finally arrived at his quarters, it was much more grand and gilded than the knights under him. As he opens the wooden door, he looks behind to find his highness (it's a wonder how he didn't find out earlier).
“…I’ll escort you back” he said without hesitation, taking your hand. "No Dainsleif, please let me in again"
"You've guarded me my entire life, you can't be closed off your entire life! Please, show me the stars like you promised."
His face stayed neutral, his twinkling eyes taking in your figure as he’d left it moments ago. He avoided your eyes when you mentioned the promise he had long forgotten, in place of it was his duty to you and your family.
There was a rumor that the beloved knight of the royal family was hopelessly in love with the eldest. You'd mention it once or twice, but Dainsleif never dismissed or denied the gossip.
He let you inside, excusing the mess of quills, astronomy books, papers, scrolls, scattering his floor and tables.
It was cozy and small, a few portraits on the wall of his family, furniture that seemed inherited, he apologizes quietly for the mess as he wasn't expecting company. Especially not you.
"Why would I want you to hide your true self" you ask grabbing his hand gently, "it seems your hunger for the stars hasn't been satiated"
His eyes met yours with a small smile, "yes... I've been studying them in my free time"
"If I'd known father would've made you an astrologist instead of a knight"
"Then I wouldn't have been your knight" he said standing up, towering over you- he'd grown so much compared to when you two were children. his hand moved to caress you cheek, "seems the rumors are true, there is a knight in love with one of the heirs"
He stiffened at the sentence, “it seems I can live in denial anymore can I?” he sighed.
“Was it that obvious?” he mumbled the pink blush returning to his cheeks, “a bit” you teased leaning into his touch. “It’s not just gossip thought your highness” he replied his finger rubbing your soft cheek, “but I know you have a duty as heir-”
“But you’re a knight”
“A knight born of lowly blood”
“And here I believed the rumor you were a runaway prince”
“What gave it away” he hummed, playing into the bit as he moved away to the kitchen.
“Maybe your looks, your natural talent for everything and anything, kindness-” as you list all of his qualities you see his ears beginning to turn red, as he continued chopping vegetables.
He was focused on making the soup when he felt arms around his waist and weight against his back, “I didn’t tell you because, well I didn’t want you falling in love with me”
“Too late dain.” Before he could process anything he felt your soft lips on his.
–
Dinner was long forgotten, his quills left on the desk alongside maps and books, his door was left slightly agape, the curtains slightly open. Just enough to see your beauty, the stars highlighting your perfection, Dainsleif could spend hours looking at you.
Your body leaned up against his pillows as you looked solemnly into his eyes, his twilight eyes looking into yours taking in everything. He knows this won’t happen again, the way he's pressed against you, feeling your heart beat, your scent on his sheets.
His nose pressed against your temple, it didn’t feel sexual. It felt like love, pure adoration.
His large palm rested on the side of your head, whispering soft lovely things about you.
"Its a dream come true, your highness."
Your hand on his bicep, tracing the beauty marks the moonlight lit. They looked like small constellations scattered about.
It was like an eclipse, the moon, you the sun. Always behind, never in front. Yearning, hoping for something from you.
Until it all came together tonight, the sun and moon finally together.