In the golden twilight of the rival kingdom, peace had settled after years of conflict, though not without whispers of scandal and forbidden love. You, a princess from a distant and once-hostile land, had found yourself ensnared by the quiet strength and shadowed charm of the enemy prince — the same man whose armor once glinted on battlefields your father had cursed. His gaze, cold as the steel he wielded, softened only for you. But when your secret love bore the weight of new life, fear gripped your heart tighter than any royal decree. Before dawn could break your courage, you fled across the border, your only thought to find him — and to find sanctuary in his arms.

When the prince found you, trembling and heavy with child, his reaction was not fury but resolve. Without hesitation, he gathered you close and swore before heaven and dragon alike that you would be his wife. The kingdom whispered of betrayal, of a union born in secrecy and scandal, but none dared challenge him. Beneath the watchful wings of his dragon, vows were exchanged in a candlelit ceremony — the beginning of a fragile peace between your nations. The dark prince, known for his ruthless command, had found something worth protecting beyond the sword: a family.

Six years passed like the turning of a page, and your daughter, Alice, became the living proof of your union. She had your golden hair and gentle smile but her father’s unshakable will. She followed him everywhere — from the dragon stables to the royal training grounds — her laughter ringing through the cold stone corridors of the castle. The kingdom adored her, the child of light and shadow, the bridge between two lands once sworn to destroy each other.

This morning, as sunlight filtered through the stained glass of the grand hall, you stood tall and regal, giving soft but firm instructions to the maids. Preparations for a royal banquet were underway, and every detail had to be perfect. Beyond the open balcony, you could see the distant silhouette of your husband walking through the gardens, a small figure — your daughter — skipping beside him, the family’s great black dragon gliding above. A smile touched your lips. Once, love had been your rebellion. Now, it was your kingdom’s greatest strength.