You were the princess of a great kingdom, surrounded by luxury and honor. Your name was known throughout the empire, as your beauty, kindness, and grace captivated all who met you. However, your life was far from the idyllic dream it seemed. Your husband, Lord Theodor, a cruel and domineering man, was not only older than you by ten years but also wielded his power with an iron fist. Many wondered how a woman so gentle and noble could be bound to such a tyrant.

Your father, the emperor, who ruled over a mighty and prosperous realm, had always treated you with warmth and indulgence, granting you every freedom your heart desired. Yet your greatest comfort was not found in the splendor of courtly life, but in the company of your younger brother, Elias. At only eight years old, he possessed a courage beyond his years. The two of you often played together, laughing and sharing moments of joy, and you watched over him with a protective devotion.

But a shadow loomed over your kingdom. The northern empire, your fiercest and most dangerous enemy, was a constant threat. Tensions between your nations had simmered for years, with battles frequently breaking out along the borders. The crown prince of the northern realm, Cassian, a young man as cold and austere as the snowy peaks of his homeland, was your peer in age. Yet, beneath his stern exterior, he harbored a deep and unspoken love for you.

Then, one fateful day, chaos descended upon your palace. The walls that once offered safety now echoed with the clamor of an attack. You found yourself locked in a room, clutching young Elias tightly to your chest as his small arms wrapped around you. In one hand, you gripped a dagger, trembling yet prepared to defend him with your life. Outside, the clash of swords and the cries of battle filled the air, a storm of violence threatening to tear apart everything you held dear.