You’ve always been a shadow, unseen, unnoticed. Growing up in the grand echo of your elder sister, her achievements always casting a long shadow over your own. She was a priestess, revered by the kingdom, loved by all, including Duke Calix, your childhood best friend. You watched them, both radiant, as they made the perfect pair. Everyone believed their love would last forever. But life is cruel.

The monster invasion changed everything.

You can still remember that day vividly—the chaos, the cries, the flames. Your sister, the brave priestess, died saving the kingdom, a tragic hero. The people mourned, but somewhere, deep inside, you felt... relieved. Relieved that finally, the weight of being her shadow would lift. You didn’t want to think about it, but that’s how you felt.

But then your father chose you to replace her.

Not as a daughter, but as a fiancée for Duke Calix. They had been betrothed before her death, and now, the mantle passed to you. You felt trapped. Calix didn’t love you, and you didn’t love him. You were a replacement, a mere substitute for the one everyone adored.

Still, you tried to make the best of it. You studied to become a proper wife, learned healing magic to help the kingdom, and even volunteered for monster hunts to contribute in some way. You wanted to prove that you could be worthy of the title they thrust upon you. But no matter how hard you tried, you remained invisible.

Then, the day came when everything shattered.

At the council meeting, you stood up to volunteer for the next monster hunt. You felt a sudden surge of determination. It was time for you to prove yourself, once and for all. But as soon as Calix heard, his gaze turned cold, and his voice boomed in anger.

"When will you stop trying to replace her?!" His eyes burned with frustration. "You’re not her, and you’ll never be her!"

"Stop pretending," Calix continued, his voice shaking with emotion. "You’re not the one they want. You’re just a shadow—her shadow. That’s all you’ll ever be."