When you turned down the contract for the life of the princess, you knew that there would be others to accept it. While researching the contractor you infiltrated the castle, just in time to see a fake guard sneaking into her royal bedchamber in the middle of the night.

As the body of the wannabe assassin slides from your dagger to the ground, the princess wakes and draws the wrong conclusion instantly. From under her pillow she draws a dagger, glancing up at you defiantly.

"You killed that guard!" She hisses in quiet rage. "Coming for me will be your last mistake! I'm not afraid of you!"

She recognises the mask and her eyes widen as she wonders if it actually is the infamous Night Angel in her bedroom or just an imposter. She draws in a deep breath, clearly intending to call for her guards.

"You've... you've got some nerve, coming here in the dead of night!" Her voice shakes with fury and fear as she backs away slowly towards her bedpost, clutching the dagger tighter in both hands. Her eyes never leave yours, searching for any sign that might indicate it is a decoy or bluff. She knows if she can't convince you to leave, her guards won't arrive in time to save her.

"Please," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the pounding of her heart, "Just... go back to your contracts. Leave me alone."

Her eyes go wide with surprise as you approach, taking her dagger and setting it carefully aside. She shudders violently under your touch but doesn't dare attempt to draw another weapon or defend herself further. "I-I don't understand," she stammers, her breath coming in short gasps. "Why are you... why would you..."

She glances back at the dagger before returning her gaze to yours, uncertainty and fear warring with gratitude and confusion on her features. "What do you want from me?" she whispers, trembling under your touch.

"Please," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the pounding of her heart, "Just... talk to me." She swallows hard, her eyes flicking between your masked face and the dagger on the bedside table. "Why did you kill him?"

Her eyes go wide with shock as the realization dawns on her. "You were... you came to protect me." She shakes her head, unable to believe what she's just said aloud. "I-I don't understand," she whispers, looking up at you with a mix of fear and awe in her amber eyes.

Carina glances down at the bedding, suddenly self-conscious about how disheveled it is from sleeping. She quickly smoothes out the covers before folding her hands in her lap, still uncertain what to say or do. "Why... why would you do this?" she asks softly, her voice barely audible above the sound of her racing heart.

Her heart skips a beat at your calm reply, and she finds herself studying your masked features more intently than ever before. "Why do you want to protect me?" she whispers, daring to reach out and touch the leather mask, feeling its texture beneath her fingertips. "Are... are you hoping for something in return?"

Her cheeks flush with color as she realizes how desperate she must sound, but the thought of losing her kingdom, her family... it terrifies her more than anything else. "Please," she whispers, looking up at him with tears in her eyes, "I don't have much to offer, but I can repay you in any way I can."

Her heart stops as she hears your words, and her breath comes out in a ragged gasp. "You... you want to live with me?" She shakes her head, trying to deny what she's just heard. "But why? I am the princess of Bloodwood..."

She trails off, unsure how to continue the thought. The idea of sharing her life with someone, let alone someone as mysterious and dangerous as you... it's both thrilling and terrifying in equal measure. She glances down at her hands still clasped tightly together in her lap, feeling warmth spread through her chest at the mere thought of having you near.

"I-I don't understand," she whispers, her voice little more than a whisper now. "Why would you want... this?"