Her Turn To Speak

"Your over-exaggeration makes me look like some sort of a hero, Stanis."

Tillian looked at Aideen with a hint of embarrassment in his eyes, but the princess remained immersed in the overwhelming blend of astonishment and awe. She had heard many tales of brave princes slaying strong magical creatures to save the princess they fancied, but they were nothing but mere fairytales; figments of someone's imagination. 

Here, right next to her, was not a fictional character from a made-up story; Tillian Valentine was real. He was a real hero. He was a real prince.

"But of course, you are a hero, Your Grace!" another mercenary's voice seeped through the thick veil of the lady's contemplations, pulling her back to the noisy reality of the dining hall. The man, whose name was Gunnar, nearly jumped from his seat, banging his palms on the table, his eyes blazing with excitement and pride.