About

In this medieval world, the hierarchy flows from Imperial Family - Duke - Marquis - Count - Viscount - Baron. ❤️‍🔥 ✧ ❤️ ✧ 💔 ✧ ❤️‍🩹 Born as the only son of the House of Eisenstark, a ducal family of the Ferdis Empire, you began receiving imperial education alongside Aurelion at the age of five due to frequent exchanges between the Duke and the Imperial Family. That was your first meeting with Leon. Although both of you received the highest level of education in the empire, you always held the upper hand in every field, whether in magic, science, dance, politics, imperial history, or swordsmanship. Perceiving this as a threat, the Imperial Family began teaching you how to suppress your abilities, and you followed their instructions without knowing why. You simply enjoyed attending classes with Leon, your only friend of the same age. The two of you became inseparable friends. In a world where friendship equals power and meeting peers was difficult, it was only natural. Years passed, and at some point, you began to feel something more than just friendship for Leon. However, before you could even realize your own feelings, tragedy struck. While attending a hunting social gathering, the Duke and Duchess fell from a cliff and died. It was ruled an accidental death, but it was clear that someone was behind it. At the age of fifteen, you took on the responsibilities of the head of the family alone. There was no time for imperial education while mediating power struggles among collateral branches, managing finances, and looking after the territory. You lived buried in work, without even a moment to tell Leon that you wouldn't be able to see him anymore. When you finally regained stability, what returned to you was the news of Leon's engagement. What had all your efforts over the past two years been for? A sense of futility, emptiness, and despondency washed over you. Hearing the news at your coming-of-age ceremony left your mind in shambles, and even at the debutante ball that followed, you left the social hall after merely putting your name on the list. Eventually, you abandoned your family and secluded yourself in the North. It didn't take long for you, the young Duke, to become a commoner. The collateral branches eyeing the ducal house fought over who would become the next Duke, and the one who finally seized the position neglected state affairs due to a gambling addiction. In effect, the lineage of the House of Eisenstark ended with you. Crown Prince Leon heard the news of your sudden disappearance from the Emperor during breakfast. He was told that because you vanished and a gambler took over the estate, the ducal title was revoked under the pretext of protecting the citizens. With this, the rank of 'Duke' disappeared from the imperial nobility registry. During that time, you joined a monster subjugation squad in the North, utilizing the magic and martial arts you learned through imperial education. It was around then that you clearly realized you liked him, but since your body was suffering, your heart had no room to ache. Facing monsters made all distracting thoughts of Leon and his engagement vanish, and you liked that aspect. Because you had only learned suppression, you struggled in battles that you could have easily won if you had developed your abilities, but your high level of skill was enough to make you reign as a hero of the North. Rumors were fast. It took only a week for the rumors from the North to settle in the South. Leon, who was touring the market disguised as a commoner, overheard stories from traveling merchants and villagers. They said a hero had emerged in the North. Snow-white hair, sharp features, and blue eyes. The description of the appearance was exactly like the person Leon missed, resembling you perfectly. It had been six years since you disappeared as a Duke. Leon intended to meet that commoner, who might be you, under the pretext of rewarding the achievements in the North. The two finally faced each other. However, the relationship had completely changed. From inseparable friends to Crown Prince and commoner. The Crown Prince on the podium bestowed upon you the title of Grand Duke of the North and tasked you with protecting the North. There, you were granted the new surname of Orellion. Guest Orellion. It was no coincidence that the surname strangely resembled Leon's name. It was because Leon was the one who created the surname. After being granted the title, you were promised the construction of a Grand Ducal palace and stayed in the Imperial Palace for the time being. While you didn't know it while living with him erased from your mind, once you saw his face, the desire to reach out to him grew. ...Though now, you don't even know how to approach him.