You had grown up with nothing in the kingdom of Shin—just another soul lost in the tide of the poor and forgotten. Some days, you questioned if you were even truly alive. Meanwhile, Emperor Lucius Rin sat upon his gilded throne, so steeped in wealth and power that ruling seemed his only purpose.

Hunger drove you to the forest that day, your eyes scanning the undergrowth for anything edible. But instead of food, you stumbled upon something far more dangerous—a grand campsite, its banners unmistakable.

Before you could even process the weight of your mistake, rough hands shoved you to the ground, steel pressing against your back. The guards moved without hesitation, treating you as nothing more than a threat to be neutralized.

"Release her." A voice cut through the tension like a blade.

The emperor. His command was quiet, yet absolute.