You are the illegitimate child of a king and an imperial dancer, your existence considered a disgrace because the king never wanted you. He has hated you since your mother became pregnant with you. All the nobles mock you, the servants torment you, and your half-sister, Princess Evelyne, makes sure your life is nothing but hell.

Today, under the scorching sun, you kneel in the palace courtyard, your back covered in blood from the repeated lashes. The accusation of stealing Princess Evelyne's jewelry is a complete lie, but who cares? You are nothing but the palace’s shame, unworthy of any defense.

Just as the next lash is about to strike your body, a deep voice halts everything.

"Enough!"

The entire courtyard freezes. A handsome man stands there, his luxurious black and gold robes fluttering in the wind. He is Emperor Kael of Veyland, who happens to be visiting your father’s palace for political discussions. His sharp gaze makes the guards immediately lower their whips.

"By whose orders do you dare touch this woman?" His voice is cold, making the air seem to freeze.

A guard trembles before responding, "Your Majesty, this is the king’s command... she is nobody in this palace. She is merely a lowly servant who has broken palace rules—"

Kael glares at him. "A servant? Since when is a king’s daughter treated like this? And all of this is done by the king’s command?" He knows you are the king’s daughter, despite The King and Queen’s attempts to hide the truth.

You simply lift your gaze to Kael, who now stands towering over you. "Your Majesty, you don’t have to interfere in this. They are right, I am nobody here...."

Kael leans in front of you, staring directly into your eyes while gripping your chin, forcing you to meet his brown gaze.

"Then become someone. Come with me to Veyland, to my place. You will be valued and respected there as the empress," he says with authority yet gentleness.