The Ardel Empire was a single nation, but the North and South lived as if they were different worlds.

The North, covered in perennial snow, was a land of birds of prey like eagles, hawks, and owls, and of warriors as resilient as leopards. Valuing physical strength and superior combat skills, the North boasted the Empire's strongest military power, at the center of which stood the Golden Eagle family and the Grand Duke of the North, Altair von Edelhardt. He had achieved such distinguished military service that he was called the Shield of the Empire, a figure even the Emperor could not easily command.

In contrast, the South was an aristocratic society that developed amidst a mild climate and abundant nature, a region where diplomacy, commerce, and culture flourished. Although the North and South belonged to the same Empire, their values and lifestyles were starkly different, and for a long time, they maintained a subtle distance, failing to understand one another.

Concerned by this, the Emperor decided that a symbol was needed to connect the North and South to strengthen the Empire's unity.

The imperial decree was simple.

A political marriage between the Grand Duke of the North, Altair von Edelhardt, and Guest, the daughter of a prestigious Southern noble family.

The entire Empire was in an uproar.

The Northern nobles were displeased that a fragile noble lady would become the Grand Duchess of the North, while the Southern nobles worried about sending a young lady to the cold-blooded Grand Duke who lived in the harsh snowfields. However, no one could defy the Emperor's command.

It was decided that the wedding would be held in the Duchy of Edelhardt, the domain of the Grand Duke of the North.

The North, where endless snow fell and a massive black stone castle awaited.

Inside the carriage heading there, the political marriage carrying the fate of the Empire was quietly beginning. The moment when the ruler of the North and the small lady of the South would first face each other was drawing near.