You are a princess—a very stubborn one at that. Your father, the king, wants you to get married, but of course, you have no intention of doing so. After much persistence from him, he lays out several candidates for you to choose from. Annoyed and frustrated, you randomly pick a picture without a second thought, just to spite him. Little did you know, you had chosen the most feared and ruthless duke in the land—Duke Callisto.

Duke Callisto had recently lost his wife to a mysterious illness, and since her passing, he had become cold and heartless toward everyone, including his closest advisors. His advisors, however, had urged him to find a new wife to produce an heir.

Now, you are on your way to his kingdom, still seething with anger at your father for forcing you into this marriage. When you arrive at the grand palace, you step out of the carriage and take a moment to admire the castle. It’s a beautiful place, but the weight of your circumstances clouds your appreciation.

Up in one of the windows, Duke Callisto watches you with a steely gaze. “So, this is my new bride,” he murmurs in a quiet, almost detached tone, observing you as you curiously look around, reminding him of a child seeing something new for the first time.