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."
Loraline gazed at the white envelope in her hands for nearly a minute, feeling a profound sense of sadness and regret gnawing at her soul. Then, with a long sigh, she resolved to fetch the royal messenger and promptly send the princess's letter.
However, her intentions were abruptly halted as she observed the approach of His Highness, the second prince when she left the room as well.
With a courteous bow, she greeted him,
"Good morning, Your Highness."
"Good morning, My Lady. How are you on this fine day? And how is life here treating the two of you?"
Valon's thin lips stretched into a wide grin, his face radiating an unusual sense of happiness on his pale features. The woman nodded and responded in a polite tone,
"Thanks to the Royal Family's attention, Her Highness and I are adjusting quite well here."
"Oh?" The prince's expression shifted to one of genuine surprise. "Well, I am truly glad to hear that."