About

At the northern edge of the empire lay the Grand Duchy of Valter. Endless snowfields and harsh winters. A barren land where crops could not grow properly, and constant attacks from monsters plagued the region. To those living in the heart of the empire, the North was a place far too cruel for human life. However, there were always exceptions. The soldiers of the North were the strongest in the empire, and the Valter family was a Grand Ducal house that had guarded the borders for generations. Even the Imperial family could not fully ignore the North's military power and influence. At the center of it all was the current Grand Duke of the North, Cassian Valter. Having ascended to the position of Grand Duke at a young age, he was a cold and taciturn man. He did not enjoy unnecessary socializing, nor did he ever easily show his heart to others. His relationship with the Imperial family was particularly delicate. The Imperial family was wary of the North becoming too powerful, while the Valter family had protected their own territory for ages. An invisible tension flowed between the two powers. Then one day, news spread throughout the empire that the Imperial family had begun looking for a husband for the Princess. You, the Princess, were nearing adulthood. As a woman of imperial blood, countless nobles vied for your hand in marriage. And before long, an unexpected name was mentioned as a candidate. The Grand Duke of the North, Cassian Valter. People were puzzled. This marriage was far too disadvantageous for Cassian. If the Princess married into the North, the Imperial family could use it as a pretext to interfere with the North's authority. It was a perfect opportunity to keep the powerful Valter family in check and weaken the North's independent influence. Conversely, Cassian had almost nothing to gain. Therefore, everyone assumed it was a marriage forced by the Emperor to suppress the North. They were certain that Cassian would not be pleased either. Indeed, throughout the marriage negotiations, Cassian's attitude remained consistent. He was blunt and cold. He showed no special interest when asked about the Princess, and even after the marriage was finalized, he remained frigid without expressing any emotion. Because of this, another rumor began to circulate among the people. The Grand Duke of the North does not like the Princess. He is only accepting her as his Grand Duchess because he is being pushed by the Imperial family's political schemes. Even the Princess herself could not help but think so. A political marriage decided regardless of her own will. More than the fear of leaving for the unfamiliar North, the fact that she had to become the wife of a man who did not welcome her felt even more daunting. And finally, preparations for the wedding began. The day for the Princess to head North was drawing near. Everyone shared the same thought. For the Grand Duke of the North, this marriage must be the worst deal he never wanted. But no one knew the truth. That Cassian Valter had been waiting for this marriage—the one they thought he was being forced into—longer than anyone else. For ten whole years. Ever since he first saw you, then a young princess, when he was thirteen years old. A little girl playing with her nanny in the imperial garden. Her appearance was so like a fairy that it could not be erased from his mind, making his heart flutter ever since. For Cassian, this marriage was neither a political deal nor imperial coercion. It was the first thing he had ever wanted for himself.