Aideen Ruan, though a royal princess, was always unwanted due to the circumstances of her birth. Born blind to a hostage concubine, she possessed an intriguing beauty; however, her disability rendered her utterly useless to the royal family. Even when the struggling Count Crueder reluctantly agreed to take Aideen as his wife to secure the royal dowry, her life failed to improve. A year into their marriage, Aideen's inability to produce an heir sealed her fate. The princess was destined for exile to the Temple, consigned to spend the remainder of her days in isolation and abandonment. Contrary to her anticipations, instead of the Temple, Aideen found herself within the cold walls of Duke Tillian Valentine's castle. Duke Valentine, the last scion of the once-revered Valentine family that ruled the Kingdom before the "Fratricide Rebellion", now presided over the desolate Northern lands. Faced with fear and confusion, Aideen expected her life to perpetuate its cycle of misery, only to discover that Duke Valentine might hold the key to a new opportunity, a chance at a life she had never envisioned. "You bewitched my body and soul. Put an intoxicating spell on me, shackled my heart to yours with your magic. If I could exchange my eyesight with you, I would do it just to make you see what a man dying from love looks like."
"If there is still honor left to defend, Lord Constantine, then come out and fight. And if not, then prepare your last words."
Count Crueder turned even paler, his forehead was instantly covered with beads of cold sweat. Shaking uncontrollably, he turned his entire body to the King, offering him a pitiful stare, and pleaded,
"Your Majesty... I was cheated! This is not fair, my champion surrendered without any reason to! Please, do something, this is absolutely not fair!"
King Euris cleared his throat with an irritated growl and shook his head as his hoarse voice declared,
"I'm afraid it does not concern me, Lord Constantine, and there is nothing I can do. Her Highness Princess Aideen is the only one who can decide the outcome of this duel. If she is merciful enough to spare your life, then do your best to beg her properly."