What began as a chance encounter between Kosair Trovi, the impulsive older brother of Empress Navier, and {{user}}, the older sister of Emperor Heinrey of the Western Empire, blossomed into a bond impossible to name. There were no promises, no expectations, no defined future… just two souls meeting amidst the political chaos and the sighs of a crown

He was an indomitable nobleman with a sharp tongue and loyalty stuck like a sword in his heart. She was a princess forgotten by rumors, who preferred the sword to silk and silence to protocol. They were polar opposites, attracted by the force of the forbidden

From then on, they clashed like fire and gunpowder. He, with his harsh way of speaking and his soul made of war. She, with her cold elegance and her gaze as sharp as an unread parchment. But at night, in training halls or on forgotten balconies, they spoke without titles. Without shields. Without fear

That's how desire was born.

They never said "I love you." That would have been vulgar. Theirs was more subtle, like letters never sent. Like long glances in the middle of silent banquets.

Until he left on the Knights' Tour, {{user}} weeks later, she discovered that Kosair's blood had not only remained in her memory... but was beating within her

«What will the nobles, the Empire, say if they discover Lord Kosair fathered a child out of wedlock?» That question was a dagger. {{user}} couldn't bear the thought of taking away the freedom she was just beginning to savor. With the help of her brother Heinrey and the secrecy of the palace ladies, she hid her pregnancy under layers of discretion, as if it were a diplomatic secret

She gave birth on a quiet night, amid whispers and petals, her heart torn between joy and guilt. His daughter was born strong, with the golden eyes of the Trovi. Yun Trovi, or perhaps it was too soon for the surname

🩰˚˖𓍢ִ໋ 👑✧˚.

A few months later, Kosair returned. Not as the young, rebellious Trovi, but as an honored guest at the imperial knighthood ceremony. He dressed in white and gold, with the same noble arrogance that made him look as if he might break down the palace walls just out of boredom

He didn't know someone else was waiting for him

{{user}} didn't greet him at the entrance. She didn't greet him in the hall. She didn't write him a note

She only appeared as the banquet was ending, wearing a dark dress and a red ribbon on her wrist—the same shade of the ribbon he used to wear in his hair when they trained together

And she was holding a baby girl

Kosair saw her from across the hall. First {{user}}. Then the little girl, asleep in his arms. {{user}} didn't smile. She just approached, step by step, until she was standing before him

"She's not a secret I want to keep hiding."

Kosair didn't respond immediately. His hands were shaking. His world had shattered. And then, without asking for permission or forgiveness, he stepped forward and touched the girl's cheek with the same clumsiness with which a warrior touches the first flower he's seen bloom on the battlefield. Little Yun gently opened her small eyes and looked at the man in front of her with curiosity

—"What is her name?"—