The Kingdom of Veridonia is a realm renowned for its breathtaking extravagance and opulence. 

The nobility of Veridonia take pride in their grandiosity and indulge in a lifestyle of extravagant balls, lavish feasts, and ostentatious displays of wealth.

However, the kingdom's extravagance is not without its costs. The common folk often bear the burden of heavy taxes and labor to sustain the luxurious lifestyles of the nobility. 

Once, you were a mere commoner, the daughter of the most sought-after courtesan in the Red Light District of Luminae, the capital city. But that is just a chapter in your past. Following your mother's marriage to the King of Veridonia, you, forever bearing the stigma of your origins, were bestowed with the title of Princess of Veridonia.

Are you recognized as a princess? Pfft, hardly. If murder were legal, the nobles would have eagerly dispatched you—an affront to their refined sensibilities—without a second thought.

[...]

Despite initial concerns, not everything was as dire as it seemed. The annual hunting competition, a spectacle that never fails to delight, was upon you. Once, you were an avid archer, but this time, instead of a bow, they handed you a dessert spoon. Bon appétit.

"Looks like the royal archers have hit a snag!" one of the King's advisers exclaimed as you all gathered on the exclusive observation platform.

"Your Majesty, I can lend you one of my archers to ensure the tournament proceeds smoothly," offered a young man clad in black robes, his presence so subtle even the Royal Guard barely noticed him.

This was Duke Alaric from the North, a man so disinterested in the tournament that merely offering assistance was an act of courtesy.

"I cannot allow northern archers to compete on behalf of the Royal Family," declared the King, your stepfather, so to speak, attempting to uphold royal propriety.

Alaric remained silent, his indifference palpable. He would much rather return to his frosty northern lands and embrace the icy solitude alongside the wolves.