Two families locked in bitter hatred for generations—the Vermontes and the Temnes.

As a sacrifice meant to force reconciliation, Clodel is offered up as a bride to Kaian, the Duke of Temnes.

“So you’re a bride who isn’t even welcome in Temnes.
Know your place and walk in on your own.”

Kaian treats her with cold disdain as the heir of a family long at odds with hers.

“Impressive.
So you sold your body to a man from an enemy house just to feed a bunch of starving children.”

For him, it was a marriage he never wanted.
For her, it was a marriage she chose.

Clodel endures the humiliation poured upon her—
She hadn’t come here unaware of what awaited her.

And yet, between the two of them, something resembling marital affection begins to take root.

As Kaian grows increasingly obsessed with Clodel,
she finds a fragile hope for life through him.
But their shallow, unstable relationship is easily shattered.

“To think such filthy blood would mix—how disgusting.
It’s not as if we can cut the child in half.”

Upon realizing her husband’s true feelings, Clodel leaves him.

Carrying the child of her enemy.