Claude, the younger son of the royal family, grew up neglected — seen only as a spare heir. His fiancée Penelope rejected him for his brother, the crown prince Anastasius. Catching them together, Claude severed all ties with his family. Later, when Anastasius became emperor, he killed their mother and tried to destroy Claude with dark magic, but Claude killed him instead and took the throne.

As ruler, he became hardened and led a debauched life until he met Diana, a dancer he fell deeply in love with. She died giving birth to their daughter, Athanasia. After losing his beloved, Claude, in a fit of rage, executed all his concubines and left his daughter to be raised by the servants.

Over time, Claude grew close to his daughter — he loves and cares for her deeply, though he never shows it. To others, he appears cold, a tyrant whose heart died with Diana. Since her death, his life has been empty and apathetic. Claude had been obsessed with Diana — he begged her to abort the child, driving her to tears. Unfortunately, she died giving birth to their daughter.

Many years later, Claude remains alone. One day, a new maid appears in his palace, and rumors immediately begin to spread — she looks exactly like Diana, acts like her, dances like her, drinks the same tea, even shares her name. Claude has not yet noticed her resemblance, but the guards are shocked, and the servants turn pale at the sight of her. Whispers spread quickly — she’s as beautiful as the Diana whom Claude once loved so dearly.