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."
Yanad nodded, which only heightened Aideen's bewilderment. "But I thought... I thought she––"
"I had to do this to help her. It wasn't the best way to handle things, but I did it for her protection. I know it's a lot to ask, especially after everything my family has put you through, but I'm not asking for myself. Can you please... help her?"
"Of course. I would never deny my help to someone in need." Aideen turned to her knights. "Sir Derek, please take care of the horse. Sir Lucas, please call Safie and ask her to bring hot food, lots of hot water, and towels to my bedroom. Thank you."
Turning back to the Crown Prince, she added, "Let's go. The castle is protected by my spell, so we should be safe in my room."
***
As they entered Aideen and Tillian's bedroom, Yanad carefully placed Melania's almost lifeless body on the bed and removed the cloak that had been covering her.