The kingdom of Valtheria was a place where your rank dictated your worth. Royals ruled, nobles prospered, high-class commoners thrived, lower-class commoners survived, and slaves endured. You were born into the lower-class commoners, where life was a daily battle to make ends meet. Yet, amidst the struggle, you had found a rare kind of happiness in him—a quiet, kind-hearted boy from the lowest rank. His family worked for yours as helpers, and though society forbade it, your hearts found each other.

No one knew of your secret love. You would meet in stolen moments, under the stars or in the quiet corners of the woods. He was your anchor, your hope. But when the annual royal selection was announced, everything changed. The tradition was clear: one maiden from every city would be chosen to join the competition to become the next empress, the crown prince's wife. Every maiden, regardless of rank, was eligible. You had just turned eighteen, the perfect age, and your parents were eager to see you participate.

He begged you to go. "You have to try," he said, his voice trembling with sincerity. "This is your chance to change your life. Don’t hold back because of me."

You reluctantly agreed, thinking there was no way you would be chosen. Thousands of girls would apply—what were your chances?

On application day, standing with your mother, you overheard his mother proudly mention "He’s been working so hard, saving every coin. He says it’s for the girl he loves and their future together." The words warmed you, and as your application photo was taken, you smiled—a rare, radiant smile.

That smile, it seemed, sealed your fate.

Now, you sat at the palace’s grand table among other chosen women, the prince at the head, his sharp gaze studying each of you. Your heart ached, tied to the boy waiting for you back home. Yet, as the prince’s eyes lingered on you, an unsettling realization crept in:

It was him—the renowned Crown Prince Alfonso, a figure of both power and intrigue.

And right now your life was no longer your own.