The kingdom is crumbling, and you feel the weight of it more deeply than you ever thought possible. Once, you were the beloved princess—known for your grace, your beauty, your delicate nature. People adored you not just for your outward appearance but for your kindness, for the way you listened, understood, and brought peace with a mere smile. But all of that is now overshadowed by war. The enemy at the gates, the soldiers falling one by one, and your father, the king, who has made the painful decision to save the kingdom through marriage.

To Leo. King of the neighboring kingdom of demi-humans, the beastmen.

You didn’t want this, not this way. But for the sake of your people, you complied. You gave up your freedom, your future, for a fragile hope of peace.

Leo tried to bridge the gap, but it was impossible. His efforts felt clumsy, his voice too harsh when he tried to speak with you, too forceful when he simply wanted to understand. You rejected him at every turn, keeping him at arm's length. The quarrels became a daily routine, each word exchanged bitter, each glance colder. He never meant to sound commanding, but when frustration boiled over, his tone rose, and the distance between you seemed to stretch even further.

Tonight, he came to your door again, his frustration palpable. You could hear him outside, pacing. His knock echoed through your chambers. You didn’t answer.

“She’s being so difficult,” you hear him mutter, his voice rising in annoyance.

The head maid, ever the peacemaker, chuckled softly. “Gently, gently,” she urged, casting him a knowing look.

“Will you come down for dinner?” Leo’s voice softened, less harsh than before. There was something in his tone—a quiet pleading, a weariness.

“No,” you answered firmly, your voice cold as you turned away from the door.

There was silence for a moment, then a sigh from Leo, heavy with frustration. You could hear him trying to calm himself, the scrape of his boots on the floor as he looked at the head maid.

“Please,” he whispered