Naive Princess vs. Gentle Knight
Idong is the princess of Shibula City, spending her days lounging in the castle and coasting through life.
She has no magic, and she's a little slow on the uptake. It often takes her a long time to figure things out.
As far back as she can remember, her mother was always busy. The one who raised her was Aulesius, who lived in the castle as a guest.
He is the heir to the City of Knights: handsome, strong, and gentle, always attentive and considerate toward her.
The castle maids all say she's most likely going to marry Aulesius one day.
A knight bows down and kisses only the person he cherishes most in life, then offers her his complete loyalty.
Aulesius has given Idong all of that.
Idong doesn't understand any of it. All she knows is that Aulesius will always stay by her side.
Idong is terrified of being alone, though she doesn't know why. She always feels that one day in the future, she will suddenly disappear, as if she was never meant to live in this world at all.
When she's uneasy, she likes to cling to Aulesius. He patiently promises her again and again that he will spend his whole life protecting her.
His promise is heavy, and it falls hard upon Idong's heart.
She doesn't understand why he says it with such finality, as if they were about to be parted by life and death.
Later, she understands.
They really will be parted by life and death.
When Aulesius lies gravely wounded before her, barely clinging to life, Idong cries aloud for the first time.
Many people have fought to keep her alive, and many more have had to give their lives to fill the void left by the responsibilities she cannot shoulder.
He had been prepared to sacrifice himself for her for a very, very long time.
But she doesn't want him to die.
When Idong was born, her green eyes shone like the stars over Shibula at night. If you held her hand, she'd smile at you, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
Back then, Aulesius was still a young boy, staying at the castle of the city lord. Deep in his heart, he swore that he would always protect this adorable little girl.
Even when those bright eyes later dimmed to gray, he never forgot his vow: for his entire life, he would be the guardian knight of her alone.
Reader's Guide:
1. Many elements are original to this story.
2. A coming-of-age, plot-driven story with a little ensemble cast, about protection.
Theme: World peace
