The Eternal Chase | Dainsleif x reader

~Prologue~

Walking through the castle's garden, you watched the crystal flies and butterflies flutter around the flowers. The crystalline-like flowers glimmered with elegance as the full moon shone its light to illuminate the flower beds as if just for your enjoyment. The light blow of wind brought along dancing leaves of green and purple as your hair fluttered from the gust. A cool breeze hugging you as if you let you know you weren't alone in the garden.

Khaenri'ah, your homeland was home to many beautiful things. One of which were the special flowers that only bloomed and glowed when you touched it. It was beautiful. Like a star in the shape of a flower. Picking one up, you smelled the scent coming from it - a slight touch of citrus, strawberries, and rose.

"So beautiful," you admired the flower in your hands.

"Well, you're more beautiful," a man spoke behind you.

Turning your head back, you saw the familiar face of your lover who you could never part with. His platinum blonde hair glistened in the moonlight as his morning sky colored eyes looked at you.

"What are you doing here?" You asked as you could feel your cheeks heat up.

Even though you had been with him for nearly 3 years, you were still as infatuated with him as when you had first started dating. Not only was he incredibly handsome, he was also the epitome of what a gentleman with chivalry should be - which was greatly due to the fact that he was the captain knight of the royal guards.

"I should be asking you that," he looked at you with aching eyes. "Can you not sleep again?"

"No," you shook your head before pouting from his change of subject. "Now answer my question. What are you doing here and why aren't you sleeping?"

"I was doing my rounds until I noticed a certain eye-catching beauty on my way back to my room," he chuckled as he placed a quick peck on your forehead.

Your ears heating up from his sudden attack, you pushed his chest away which you suddeny noticed was awfully close to you, "Dain!"

Looking up at him, you noticed a slight pink dusting his cheeks to which you grinned. It seems that he was just as enamoured as you. Taking advantage of the situation, you hugged him and nuzzled your face into his strong chest.

"I love you," you murmured loud enough for him to hear.

"Y-Y/n," he stuttered in surprise from your sudden hug.

"I love you," you built up more confidence and looked him in the eyes.

"I love you too my love. You're the one who will always have my heart no matter what. Even if the world turns against you, I will always defend you. I am your sword and shield and you are my heart," Dain laid his chin over your head.

"Dain," you smiled at his formality. Even if you would rather him be informal with him, you couldn't help but love his side of him as well. The formal side of him that constantly made your heart beat as he enraptured your love.

"We've been dating for a while," Dain started as he let go of you and went down on one knee. "I know that I'm not much but if you'll allow me, would you bless me with your hand and marry me?"

Covering your mouth, you smiled at him as your eyes started to well up, "Yes Dain! Yes!"

Suddenly, a loud explosion was heard from the distance. The both of you looking up, the once dark blue night sky with glittering stars was now covered in orange and gray as well as lines of cubes that highlighted where the attack was happening. They were the colors of fire and smoke.

The loud noises of crashes and screams could be heard all the way to the castle. The sheer terror of the powerful cubes that moved to attack anything in the vicinity made your knees weak.

Your throat clenching up, you backed away in fear. Where is that come from and why? Why now of all times was there an accident in your kingdom?

"Your Highness! Sir Dain!"

"Aether?" You replied as you saw the blonde-haired boy you had befriended. "Do you know what happened?"

"No," he shook his head dejected.

Out of nowhere, the ground started to shake. A light shake first but then is gradually grew stronger and stronger to the point where your lost your balance and fell. But, before you could hit the ground, strong hands caught you.

"Dain!" You were brought back to your senses.

Once again, another interruption appeared before your eyes. A small monster, around half the size of Dain appeared. It looked like a hybrid of a lion and a monkey, something you didn't know existed. Running and gurgling weird noises, the monster ran to take Dain with the flaming torch in its hands.

Before it could even take another step, Dain had cut it with his sword that he had instinctually unsheathed in the moment.

"Y/n," Dain looked at you with the a cold calculating look. "You have to leave. Go with Aether and get out of here. I'll take care of what's going on."

"No Dain!" You quickly stood up. "We don't know what's out there. I can't just leave!"

"Aether," Dain looked at the man standing behind you. "Please, as a favor of one of your friends, take Y/n out of here and run. Do not look back and just get out of here as soon as you can. Do you understand?"

"Dain no! I know you're the Captain but please don't do this. We don't know the dangers out there!" You shouted as you tried to pull away from Aether who was now trying to hold you back from running to the back to Dain.

"Please don't feel responsible Y/n," he held your cheek with his hand. "As the ruler, you must live to bring back security and order to the land. As your knight, I must protect you so that you can fulfill that. But most importantly, it's my selfish wish to know that because of me, you're able to escape. I love you Y/n."

He took the ring that he was proposing with and tooking your hand. Placing it on your ring finger, he took one last look at you before walking away.

"Take her and leave Aether. I'm sorry I'm shouldering your with this but please watch over her for me. Thank you for everything my friend," Dain said as he started his path towards the explosion had happened.

"Dain!" You screamed as Aether tried to pull you away. "Dain!"