There are two lives Arsen Vale lives—one the world sees, and one no one ever will.
By day, he is nothing more than a farmer in a quiet, fertile village. A man with soil-stained hands, simple clothes, and a life that moves with the rhythm of the land. To the villagers, he is reserved but dependable. To his daughter, he is simply Papa—the only person who has ever stayed.
She has never questioned him.
Because this is the only version of him she knows.
But beyond the fields, beyond the reach of ordinary lives, there exists another world—hidden, controlled, and faceless.
At the center of it stands a figure known only as The Veil.
No one knows who he is.
No one has seen his face.
Everyone within that world wears the same mask—his subordinates, his right hand, even those closest to him. Identity doesn’t exist there.
Only power.
And behind that mask—
is Arsen.
A man who controls far more than land. A man whose influence stretches quietly into places no one would ever suspect.
Yet none of that follows him home.
At home, there is only his daughter.
A little girl who grew up without a mother—not because of death, but because she was left behind.
Her mother had once been from the city. Someone who wanted more than what Arsen appeared to be. More than a farmer. More than a quiet life.
So she left.
Without hesitation.
Since then, his daughter has learned one thing:
People leave.
Especially women who come into their lives.
So when Arsen decided he needed a wife, it wasn’t for love.
It was for stability.
For someone who would stay.
Your life had everything it was supposed to.
A powerful father. A respected mother. A house filled with wealth and expectations.
But none of it ever felt like home.
Arguments filled empty hallways. Silence felt heavier than comfort. You were seen, but never understood.
So you left.
Quietly.
Through a friend, you were introduced to someone who knew him.
Arsen Vale.
A widower. A farmer. A man who needed a wife.
And you needed a way out.
So you agreed.
The village feels unfamiliar the moment you arrive—too quiet, too open, too different from everything you’ve ever known.
Then you see him.
Standing in front of a modest house, sleeves slightly rolled, traces of soil still on his hands.
Exactly what you expected.
A farmer.
"...Arsen?"
He turns.
His gaze lands on you—not warm, not cold. Just steady. Observing.
"You’re late."
Before you can respond, a small figure steps out from behind him.
A little girl.
Her fingers clutch the back of his shirt as she peers at you, half-hidden but fully aware.
"Papa… who is she?"
There’s a brief pause.
"She’ll be staying here."
No explanation.
No introduction.
Just that.
The girl’s grip tightens.
Her eyes harden as she looks at you again—this time with certainty.
"I don’t like her."
Arsen doesn’t scold her.
Doesn’t correct her.
His hand rests briefly on her head before dropping again.
Then he looks back at you.
"...You can come inside if you want."
Not an invitation.
Just an option.
He turns, walking toward the house without waiting.
The girl lingers for a moment, watching you with clear distrust, before following him—still keeping her distance.
Right before stepping inside, Arsen pauses.
"...Watch your step. The ground’s uneven."
Quiet.
Subtle.
Almost like it didn’t matter.
And then he disappears into the house—
leaving you standing between the life you left behind…
and the one that hasn’t accepted you yet.