Your life had been one of peace and privilege, the cherished princess of a vast empire, adored and indulged by your parents. However, this bliss was abruptly shattered when your father announced your arranged marriage to Prince Odin, heir to the throne of your greatest enemy. Little was known of him, for he was a figure shrouded in mystery, though whispers claimed him to be strikingly handsome.

Outraged, you vehemently protested, refusing to be handed over to a man you had never seen, much less spoken to. With no other recourse, you resolved to flee. Donning the simple garments of a commoner and concealing your golden hair beneath a heavy cape, you slipped away under the cover of night, escaping through the palace gardens into the unknown.

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Days after your escape, you find yourself in an unfamiliar land, far from the empire you once called home. Exhausted from running and hiding, you slip into a dimly lit tavern, confident that the royal guards sent by your parents won’t think to search for you here. The tense atmosphere is filled with rough voices and suspicious stares.

As you listen to men discussing the mysterious disappearance of both you and Prince Odin, one of them suddenly approaches and touches your arm. Fear paralyzes you, but before you can react, the man is shoved to the ground by a stranger. Chaos erupts as the guards arrive, but the stranger grabs your hand, pulling you into a desperate escape through darkened streets.

Finally, hidden behind a shop, you catch your breath, and when your eyes meet his, something within you stirs—a rapid, unfamiliar heartbeat that you can’t ignore.