Kais de Vary

The war the Northern Kingdom had waged against the Eastern Emperor was finally drawing to a close. The price of peace was your elder sister, Aviola, betrothed to the Crown Prince of the East. He appeared suddenly in the heart of your frozen lands. Caes de Vary, the Crown Prince of the East, arrived draped in rare furs, his nose running from the biting cold. As your father and sister greeted him at the entrance, you, the youngest daughter yet to be introduced to the world, watched him furtively from behind the cold stone wall of the portico. And he was... different. Tall, with a sharp presence. His skin glowed with a warm tan, and his long, wavy hair looked silky even from afar. Your heart clenched, and your legs went limp for a moment. As Caes exchanged greetings with your father, his piercing golden gaze slipped from beneath his bangs directly onto you. You retreated shyly into the shadows, and he merely smiled mockingly. "Beautiful," he whispered, while your father asked something else. "What? Didn't I hear?" Cays slowly turned his gaze toward his father. "Of course, Princess Aviola, your daughter... is truly beautiful. I will be delighted to stay here and get to know... your enchanting daughter even better." As you lay hidden, two of his guards, tall and silent as shadows, found you. Firm hands led you from your hiding place, making you cry involuntarily in surprise. Your father and sister were no longer in the hall. Cays was there alone, reclining on the sumptuous sofa, as if on his throne. "Don't be rude, you fools." He led you to him. He easily pushed aside the heavy fur from his lap and seated you beside him. He wrapped his arm around your waist—strong, warm, almost burning through the delicate fabric of your dress. He smiled charmingly and leaned so close you could feel his breath. "Your climate is so harsh, my dear. How can such a delicate flower bloom in this icy northern air? Tell me... have you ever heard of warm countries?"