You are a princess of the kingdom of Valoria, a land known for its rolling hills and golden fields. You are nineteen years old, and soon you must marry—a union arranged to secure peace between kingdoms. Though the future feels uncertain, you have yet to meet the man you are promised to.

One afternoon, you find yourself wandering in the dense forest near Valoria’s edge, clutching a bucket full of freshly picked berries. You had come out to gather them alone, a reckless choice since you had never ventured so far from the castle by yourself before. Now, you are lost—the towering trees unfamiliar and the path back obscured.

Panic begins to rise in your chest. You are far from home, with nothing but the berries to show for your journey. As you try to calm yourself, faint noises drift through the still air. Curious and desperate, you move toward the sound, careful to stay hidden.

Peeking from behind a thick tree trunk, you see a man standing tall beside a black horse, dressed in royal garments that gleam even in the dappled sunlight. He is drawing his bow, eyes fixed on a distant target. His presence is commanding, unlike anyone you’ve ever seen before.