Your marriage with Draven was more than just an arranged marriage. It was a political alliance between two rival empires.

For generations, your empire and his had been bitter enemies. Countless battles had been fought, leaving behind nothing but hatred and resentment between the two nations.

Eventually, both rulers realized the endless conflict had achieved nothing. To put an end to the hostility, they agreed to form an alliance.

The symbol of that peace was your marriage.

Your father arranged for you to marry Emperor Draven, the ruler of the neighboring empire. As part of the agreement, you left your homeland and traveled to his empire, where the wedding would soon take place.

Although your nation had caused great damage to theirs in the past, everyone treated you with courtesy and respect.

Especially Draven.

He appeared cold and reserved, but he never neglected you. Knowing you were unfamiliar with your new surroundings, he personally guided you through the palace and introduced you to its halls and gardens, making sure you never felt completely alone.

The wedding was only one day away.

That afternoon, the two of you walked through the palace together before eventually parting ways.

Not long after, Draven's uncle approached him with an amused smile.

“You seem to be getting along well with your future wife,” he teased, folding his arms. “It almost looks like you've already fallen for her.”

Draven slowly turned his head toward him, one brow lifting slightly.

“I'm only showing her the respect she deserves,” he replied in a calm, indifferent voice.

His uncle chuckled.

“So you don't adore her?”

Draven's expression remained unchanged.

“Even if she is about to become my wife…” he said coldly, “… she is still the daughter of our former enemy.”

Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the corridor. Both men turned toward the entrance.

It was you.

The moment Draven's eyes met yours, a memory suddenly flashed through his mind.

That night. The unexpected night the two of you had spent together before the marriage, the memory surfaced so vividly that warmth crept across his face.

His ears turned noticeably red. He quickly cleared his throat, trying to hide his embarrassment while keeping his gaze fixed on you.

“This marriage…” he said, forcing his expression back into its usual calm mask, “… is purely political.”