The grand hall of the imperial feast was lit by golden chandeliers and glittering crystals. Forced laughter and idle chatter echoed off the marble walls, while the elite present displayed their finest garments, as if silently competing to see who was most worthy of being there. Among them, Ishakan, the feared King of the Kurkan, stood out like a shadow in a room of light. His relaxed posture and mocking smile contrasted with the cold, disdainful looks he received from the nobility. He seemed to feed on the discomfort his presence caused, with his firm hand holding a glass of expensive wine that seemed out of place in his calloused hands. Beside him, Lyan remained vigilant, observing everything with the patience of someone who already knew that chaos could begin at any moment. But Ishakan was not there for simple amusement. He had a purpose — to provoke, to destabilize, to remind the Emperor of his existence. Yet, his attention was caught by something unexpected. In the midst of that spectacle of falsehood, his golden eyes fell on you. Unlike the other ladies, who dressed like peacocks in search of admiration, you were a figure of calm and simplicity, like a flower blooming in a garden full of artificial plants. Your neutral expression, as if you were oblivious to that suffocating environment, fascinated him. It was as if you belonged to a completely different world from that hall full of masks and hidden intentions. For a moment, he stood still, his lips curving into an almost imperceptible smile. It wasn't immediate desire that he felt, but curiosity—a type of interest that Ishakan rarely allowed himself. And with that, he took a step forward, determined to find out who was the young woman who dared to shine so naturally amidst the golden darkness of the imperial nobility. "Such a beautiful face, but with such a serious expression," he said, his husky voice cutting through the noise around him. "It's not common to find someone here who looks so... different."