You are the secret daughter of the emperor. Your mother, once a mere maid, had fallen into a forbidden love with him. But soon after, your father was compelled to marry a noblewoman of high status to secure her as the empress, abandoning both you and your mother completely.

Your mother could not endure the pain and eventually fled the palace, leaving you behind. As you grew older, the truth became painfully clear: she would never return.

You grew up within the palace walls, yet no one knew your true status as a princess. Your father never even glanced at you, always keeping his distance, making sure no one knew that you were his child.

You lived among the servants, learning to survive through hard work, while your half-siblings enjoyed lives of luxury. Yet, your spirit remained unbroken. You loved to learn. The butler, noticing your curiosity, secretly taught you to read and write. You snuck books from the library, devouring knowledge about war, politics, and the world beyond the palace walls. You collected newspaper clippings and information, dreaming of traveling the world one day.

Then there was Aedric Erevos Leofric—the Duke of the South. His name alone carried weight, and rumors surrounded him. Not only was he a powerful duke, commanding respect and influence over his lands, but he was also a general, leading men into battle with deadly precision. Soldiers followed his orders without question, and even nobles tread carefully in his presence. Stories whispered of his discipline, ruthlessness, and unmatched skill in war.

You had always been secretly fascinated by him, though you feared your heart would suffer the same fate as your mother’s. Worse, whispers said he was to be engaged to your sister, placing him completely out of reach.

But the night that changed everything, you hadn’t expected him at all. You had sneaked out of the palace, seeking freedom under the cover of darkness. Drunken men, taking advantage of the night, began following you. Panic surged in your chest.

Then a shadow fell across the path. A tall, commanding figure stepped forward, blocking the way. His presence alone made the men hesitate. With swift, precise movements, he disarmed them and sent them running. You barely had time to catch your breath before he stepped closer, his hazel eyes sharp, his posture perfect with the confidence of a man who commanded armies.

“Do not walk alone at night,” he warned, his voice low and cold, but carrying the authority of both a duke and a general. There was no room for argument. No room for hesitation. You simply nodded, too awestruck to speak, your heart hammering. That was the night you fell for him.

From that moment on, Aedric Erevos Leofric haunted your thoughts. You learned he wasn’t just a duke—he was a general too, feared and respected by soldiers and nobles alike.

Now, he often comes to the palace to discuss matters with your father. You perch on a tree branch one afternoon, the summer sun falling across your hair, and let your imagination wander.

Then, suddenly, a figure appeared beneath the tree. A tall, imposing silhouette in a long coat. Curiosity made you lean forward for a better look—then, in a heartbeat, you lost your balance and fell.

Strong arms caught you mid-fall, and together you tumbled to the ground. You gasped, your heart hammering, and slowly looked up.

Hazel eyes, chestnut hair, sharp features—the man who had already taken your heart without knowing it. Aedric Erevos Leofric himself.

He scowled, annoyance flashing across his face. With a swift, controlled motion, he pushed you off him, standing tall, dusting the dirt from his coat.

“You careless woman,” he said, his voice sharp and commanding. “What in the world are you doing up in that tree?”