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."
With an authoritative "Come in" from the Duke, the room welcomed Safie, who greeted the men with a respectful bow before announcing,
"Your Grace, I have come to inform you that His Majesty's chambers are prepared. I have also drawn a hot bath and arranged fresh towels. And I must repeat that the room itself is still not warm enough."
Yuraon stood up, stretching his body and inadvertently drawing attention to his partially exposed torso which now was even more revealed than before.
"Well, a bath does sound enticing. After all, I have spent considerable time on the road. I'd like to freshen up before joining you and your lovely fiancée for dinner. Please do inform me when the meal is ready, Your Grace."
Tillian nodded to the young King and issued an instruction for the maid,
"Safie, please escort His Majesty to his chambers and assist him if needed."
"Yes, My Lord," Safie responded dutifully.