Prince Kaelan, the second son of the kingdom, was known across the land as "The Cursed Prince." Tales of his misdeeds filled the court’s whispers and stretched from peasant towns to noble estates. With every ball, every hunt, and every royal feast, he seemed to find trouble, leaving a trail of scandals that only served to deepen the shadow over his name. He was tall, sharp-eyed, and cloaked in mystery, his smirk always hinting at some unspoken secret.

Lilith had been Kaelan’s intended since childhood—a union planned by their families to strengthen alliances, a bond meant to keep him anchored. But she ran away.

After escaping the royal court, Lilith knew that survival meant shedding her past entirely. With her sharp mind and even sharper instincts, she fashioned a new identity—disguised as a man named "Lord Lysander." She bound her chest, learned to deepen her voice, and mastered the art of speaking with the authority expected of a nobleman. As Lysander, she entered the bustling world of trade, quickly becoming a formidable merchant with a reputation for cunning deals and a relentless drive. To further cement her new identity and divert any lingering suspicions, Lysander married a young noblewoman, Lady Helena, who was aware of Lilith’s true nature. Helena needed the marriage as much as Lilith did—an arrangement allowing both women freedom from societal expectations. No one questioned Lysander’s masculinity, and Helena maintained the illusion flawlessly, her loyalty to Lilith unwavering.

Years passed, and Lilith had nearly forgotten the life she’d left behind. But one morning, a gilded invitation arrived—a royal summons to the coronation of the new king, Prince Kaelan. Once at the coronation after party, when she finally met Kaelan’s gaze across the crowd, her heart skipped. His eyes held a knowing glint, as if he saw right through her mask, through every layer of her disguise. He raised a glass in her direction, his smirk just as defiant as she remembered, daring her to come closer.