A knight's code of honor [BXB]

A KNIGHT'S CODE OF HONOR - 11 | ''It's my duty, and my honor.''

GABRIEL AWOKE TO THE soft light of dawn streaming through the narrow window of his chamber. The castle was quiet at this hour, a silence that he had come to appreciate. He lay still for a moment, savoring the peaceful quiet before the day's demands began, Slowly, he sat up, feeling the stiffness in his muscles from the previous day's training. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed. The stone floor was cool beneath his feet, grounding him as he stretched and rose.

He dressed methodically, donning his tunic and breeches with practiced ease. Each buckle and strap was a ritual, a reminder of his duty and the weight of his responsibilities. As he laced up his boots, he thought of the conversation with Damian the night before. The prince's vulnerability had been unexpected, and it had stirred something within Gabriel—a fierce determination to protect him, no matter the cost.

After securing his sword at his side, Gabriel made his way to the small basin of water in the corner of his room. He splashed his face, the cold water jolting him fully awake. He ran a hand through his tousled hair, smoothing it into some semblance of order before heading out the door.

The corridors of the castle were quiet, the usual hustle and bustle of servants and guards not yet in full swing. Gabriel walked with purpose, his boots echoing softly off the stone walls. His destination was the courtyard, where he planned to begin his day with a rigorous training session. He needed to stay sharp, both for himself and for the prince.

As he stepped into the open air, the crisp morning breeze greeted him, carrying the scent of dew and earth. The training grounds were empty, save for a few early-rising soldiers practicing their drills. Gabriel joined them, exchanging nods of acknowledgment before drawing his sword and beginning his own exercises.

He moved through a series of forms and strikes, each movement precise and fluid. The weight of the sword felt familiar and reassuring in his hand, a constant in a world of uncertainties. As he trained, his mind wandered to the conversations he had overheard, the hints of conspiracy lurking in the shadows of the court. He needed to be vigilant, to stay one step ahead of those who sought to harm Damian.

Lost in his thoughts, Gabriel was startled by the sudden appearance of a messenger, a young boy with wide eyes and an urgent expression. "Sir Gabriel," The boy panted, "Prince Damian requests your presence in his chambers."

Gabriel sheathed his sword, nodding to the boy. "Thank you. I will go at once." He wiped the sweat from his brow and made his way back into the castle, his mind racing with possibilities. What could Damian need at this hour? And why had he chosen Gabriel specifically?

When they reached Damian's chambers, the guards outside the door nodded respectfully and stepped aside. Gabriel took a deep breath and entered. The room was spacious, with large windows that allowed the sunlight to stream in, casting a warm glow on the richly furnished interior. Damian stood by the window, his back to the door, staring out at the sprawling gardens below.

"Your Highness," Gabriel greeted, bowing slightly.

Damian turned, his face etched with worry. "Gabriel, thank you for coming. I need your help with a personal matter.'' 

Gabriel stepped closer, noting the tension in Damian's posture. "Of course, Your Highness. Tell me what you need."

Damian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's my sister, Isabella. She sent word that she intends to visit in a few days. I tried to dissuade her, but she's as stubborn as ever."

Gabriel's brow furrowed. "Given the recent events, that's concerning. She could be in grave danger."

"Exactly," Damian said, his voice tinged with frustration. "She's determined to come, and I fear that her presence will only embolden our enemies. They may see her visit as an opportunity to strike."

Gabriel nodded, understanding the prince's concern. "We will need to take every precaution to ensure her safety. I'll personally oversee her security detail and coordinate with the guards."

Damian's shoulders relaxed slightly, but the worry in his eyes remained. "I appreciate that, Gabriel. But there's more. I haven't told her about the assassination attempts. I didn't want to frighten her."

"That's wise," Gabriel agreed. "But we must be prepared for any eventuality. I'll increase patrols around the castle and ensure that no unauthorized personnel get close to her."

Damian looked out the window again, his gaze distant. "Isabella is headstrong, like our mother. She won't stay confined to her chambers. She'll want to explore, to see the kingdom."

"We'll need to be discreet in our protection," Gabriel said. "I'll assign a few trusted knights to shadow her movements, keeping a close watch without drawing attention."

Damian turned back to Gabriel, gratitude mingling with the worry in his eyes. "Thank you, Gabriel. Your presence here has been a great comfort to me."

Gabriel bowed his head. "It's my duty and my honor, Your Highness. We'll get through this."

For a moment, the two men stood in silence, the weight of their shared burden hanging heavily in the air. Gabriel could see the strain in Damian's eyes, the toll that the constant threat of danger was taking on him.

"There's something else, Gabriel," Damian said quietly. "I've made many decisions that have angered powerful people. I fear that my sister's visit will bring more than just a threat to her life. It could unravel everything we've worked for."

Gabriel stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on Damian's shoulder. "We'll face whatever comes together, Your Highness. You are not alone in this."

Damian's eyes met Gabriel's, and for a brief moment, the mask of the prince slipped, revealing the vulnerable young man beneath. "Thank you, Gabriel. I don't know what I would do without you."

Gabriel smiled, a rare softness in his eyes. "I will always stand by your side, Your Highness." He said, feeling a surge of loyalty and something deeper, something he couldn't quite name. "It's my duty, and my honor."

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the room, the bond between the prince and his knight solidified, forged in the crucible of shared trials and growing trust.

As he left Damian's chambers, Gabriel's mind was already racing with strategies and plans. The prince's worries were just another piece of the puzzle, another layer of the burden that Damian carried.