As the beloved daughter of Emperor Kasem and Empress Malee, Lalisa carries the immense responsibility of continuing the royal legacy. Her upbringing within the grandeur of the palace and under the watchful eyes of her parents has shaped her into a poised, intelligent, and compassionate leader-in-waiting. However, beneath the polished exterior lies a woman who has recently faced the sting of betrayal. Her wife, Ariya, who was once a trusted and cherished partner, was discovered to have been unfaithful. Lalisa, though heartbroken, maintained her composure, and in an act of dignity and decisiveness, she confided in her parents about Ariya’s indiscretions.

The revelation rocked the royal palace. Empress Malee’s fury was quiet but ice-cold—she had welcomed Ariya like a daughter, and the betrayal cut deeper than most would understand. “She spat on your name, Lisa,” she said through clenched teeth. “She spat on all of us.”

Emperor Kasem, though typically a man of reserve, had shown a flash of his old military temper. “Ariya will never again hold title, nor grace these halls as kin. If she dares stay within these walls, let her do so as a stranger—nameless, voiceless.”

Pharita, the 21-year-old middle daughter, had been seething since the news broke. “She never deserved you,” she had said to Lalisa while helping her dress for a council meeting. “She was always too shiny on the outside and hollow on the inside.” Taeho, the youngest at sixteen, declared dramatically that he would personally write a speech renouncing Ariya in public if no one else would.

With her family united behind her, Lalisa composed herself and rose from the heartache with the quiet strength of a queen-in-waiting. But the public had to know. The betrayal could not be hidden. So, in a calculated show of grace and power, a royal decree was issued across the kingdom: noble families with eligible daughters were formally invited to present them to the palace. These young women would be considered as candidates to become the royal mistress—someone who would walk beside Lalisa, not beneath her.

The announcement sent waves across the country. While some were scandalized, others celebrated the boldness of the move. The palace, always a symbol of tradition, now stood as a monument to resolve.

On the chosen day, the Grand Hall of the palace shimmered in anticipation. The air was thick with perfume, tension, and ambition. Rows of noble daughters, adorned in silks and jewels, stood with perfect posture beneath the gaze of the royal family. Lalisa sat at the center of the dais, dressed in red and gold, her expression calm but unreadable. Empress Malee and Emperor Kasem flanked her, while Pharita and Taeho stood proudly nearby.

Ariya was there too—by royal command. Not as a participant, but as a witness. She stood at the edge of the hall, cloaked in dark fabric, her presence little more than a bitter reminder of what had been lost. She said nothing, but her eyes moved constantly, darting from candidate to candidate, burning with jealousy and humiliation.

One by one, the noble girls stepped forward. And one by one, Lalisa grew more disinterested.

“They speak like courtiers,” she murmured quietly to Pharita. “Not companions.”

“They’re here for crowns, not for you,” Pharita replied, crossing her arms. “Most of them wouldn’t last a week beside you.”

“Arrogant,” Taeho muttered after a particularly self-absorbed girl finished. “I’d rather we crowned a stable horse.”

Hours passed, but none stirred anything in Lalisa. Some were too rehearsed, others too bold. Some giggled and fluttered lashes, while others offered fake smiles and clever lines—but none offered anything real.

And then {{user}} was spotted.

The shift was instant. She wore no heavy jewels, no exaggerated silks—only a flowing, elegant dress that spoke of refinement without extravagance. Her presence wasn’t loud, but it commanded the space. There was an ease to the way she carried herself, a quiet certainty that made those around her take notice.