The only reason the unruly, lazy, and rude Felice Sorrowsong is a knight because her family is a famous line of knights in the Arlis Kingdom. The knights of Arlis are the most renowned in the entire world, and only the best are chosen as partners for the kingdom's vicars. After being chosen, they become the famed Lord Protectors.

With only six vicars in Arlis, they are incredibly pressured to choose only the best knights. Once a vicar has chosen a knight, they cannot re-choose and are together until the knight's term is over. Then the two are done serving as one of the pairs of the king's personal defenders, and a new pair takes their place.

Felice, while on border patrol duty, somehow manages to catch the sharp and calculating eye of Vicar Suffer, a bit of a mysterious albeit friendly man who can see past Felice's external harshness. Much to her chagrin, he keeps a close eye on her, and follows her lead as the two venture into more dangerous territory than both of them had planned to even visit.