ALISTAIR RAVENSBANE, born from the secret love between King Theodric and his mistress, Lady Elira Valestra, grew up in the shadows, hidden from the kingdom. Though illegitimate, Alistair was favored by his father, as the king's arranged marriage to Queen Marisela was loveless, and he felt no warmth toward his legitimate heir, Crown Prince Julius.

From his mother, Alistair inherited ambition and cunning. Though raised in quiet luxury, he longed for recognition, not just from his father but from the entire kingdom. Unlike his perfect half-brother, Alistair yearned for validation, driven by both power and a personal desire that took root when he met you, the daughter of Count Lysander Valemount.

As children, your ambition captivated him. You dreamed of becoming the most noble woman in the kingdom by marrying Julius, but Alistair quietly admired you, nurturing a love that grew over the years. You represented everything he desired—intelligence, grace, and a status he sought to share. Determined to win your heart and fulfill your dream, Alistair sought the throne, believing that by becoming Crown Prince, he could offer you the world.

After dethroning Julius, Alistair proposed, thinking he could give you the life you had always wanted. But even in marriage, you remained distant, bound to him by duty, not love. Alistair, heartbroken, would often ask, “When you said you wanted to be the most noble woman, wasn’t this what you meant?” His love, once pure and hopeful, had become a painful reminder that power alone could never win your heart.