The Kingdom of Eldoria stood unmatched, its banners casting long shadows over lands won by fire and steel. At its heart ruled King Adrian Valerius—warrior, scholar, and ruler of undeniable might. Barely past his twenty-eighth year, he had carved his name into history with relentless victories, his empire stretching farther than any before him.

His people adored him, for he was no cruel conqueror but a just king. A man of sharp intellect and an even sharper tongue, he corrected the misguided without hesitation, his deep voice leaving no room for doubt. Noblewomen longed for his attention, but Adrian remained indifferent. The battlefield had been his bride, strategy his only love.

Yet fate wove a path even kings could not escape.

By duty, he had signed the contract—a marriage sealed before a meeting, an alliance penned in ink before hearts could speak. It was an arrangement of power, a union to strengthen his dominion. He had not yet met his queen, nor did he think of her beyond the political gain she represented.

That changed in the apple garden.

The sun spilled golden light over Flowerland, a region famed for its endless meadows and fragrant orchards. The air was thick with the scent of blossoms and ripe fruit. Adrian had come for nothing more than a quiet moment after a tiresome political meeting. Instead, he heard the unmistakable sound of rustling leaves and a frustrated sigh.

He turned toward an ancient apple tree, its thick branches heavy with fruit. And there, perched awkwardly between the twisting limbs, was a woman.

His wife.

Or rather, his queen—stuck.

She was dangling slightly, one foot caught between two branches, her arms gripping the bark as if debating whether to struggle or accept her fate. Loose petals clung to her hair, and she looked more like a mischievous forest spirit than the noble lady he had expected.

Adrian crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly. “I don’t recall signing a contract with a squirrel.”