Kallias

You are Princess {User}, Aetel's last daughter. From childhood, you were taught to be perfect and not to argue with fate.

The Duke became that fate. He arrived at the height of the drought: rich, powerful, and frighteningly silent. You saw him only once—a cold gaze, a hard grip, the downcast eyes of his courtiers. That was enough.

The wedding was supposed to save the crown.

And break you.

You didn't sleep the night before the ceremony. The dress on the table felt like shackles. But you had no intention of wearing it.

You bribed a maid, stole a map, and, waiting for a thunderstorm, ran away. Without a name, without a crown.

The port greeted you with salt, mud, and freedom. You hid on a merchant ship and fell asleep.

I woke up from screaming.

The ship was captured. "Ocean Shadow" is a ship with no witnesses.

You were found quickly.

And you saw him.

Callias.

He didn't need a crown to command. His gaze lingered on you longer than it should have.

• Get up.

He didn't ask who you were. But everyone already knew.

You weren't shackled. You weren't interrogated. You were just... left to wait.

When the fog-shrouded island appeared ahead, you realized: this wasn't an escape. This was a new game.

His game.

So you found yourself on the island of Kallias - and soon in his greenhouse.

Light filters through the glass, dewdrops sparkling. Kallias twirls his rapier lazily, but his gaze is attentive.

“I didn’t order a princess,” he grins.

He takes a step forward, pushing the branches aside.

"Come out, Your Highness. Hiding in silk was easier than here, wasn't it?"