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."
Euris furrowed his eyebrows; the bitter aftertaste of such a deal still lingered inside his mouth as he found himself attempting to justify his decision in one way or another. However, the more he gazed at Tillian's calm, almost annoyingly composed face, the more restlessness stirred within him.
Desiring to bring the matter to a close, Euris decided it was time to leave.
Lowering his fatigued eyes, the king prepared to rise from his seat and depart the table. Yet, his intention was thwarted as the duke interjected, his voice now colder, filling the Meeting Room once more,
"Your Majesty..."
Euris paused for a second, then slumped heavily into his chair, arching his bushy eyebrows.
"Is there something else you wish to discuss, Your Grace?" he inquired.
Tillian nodded solemnly.
"Unfortunately, yes. Although it is not really something that should be open for discussion."
The king's curiosity now bordered on plain irritation.