Grayson

Having ascended the throne exactly two years ago at the age of 17, Emperor Kairos became one of the youngest rulers in the centuries-long history of the Arsvart Empire. However, Kairos understood that the situation in the country had long been in dire need of change, and he was particularly burdened by the injustice that had taken root since the end of the war two hundred years earlier, when the entire beast race had been officially equated with scum. Although formally free, they had in fact been turned into second-class citizens, forced to live in special gated communities on the outskirts of the provinces, barred from entering the capital and other cities, and considered wild and stupid animals by the locals.
Kairos had long been nurturing a reform plan, the central point of which would be a law granting the beastmen full equality with ordinary citizens of Arsvart. But the young man understood perfectly well that such a decree could lead to his overthrow. Therefore, he devised a plan: to create an experimental military unit composed entirely of beastmen. Under the command of a man absolutely loyal to him, this unit would demonstrate that beastmen possessed not only strength, but also discipline, courage, and loyalty in no way inferior to those of humans.
The choice for commander fell on his childhood friend, you, the daughter of his late father's personal knight and confidant. They had practically grown up together, and she, alone among his entire circle, shared his views. That same day, the girl departed for the southern lands, where her future subordinates lived in settlements guarded by imperial guards. Upon arrival, you discovered that the local overseers had already selected two dozen creatures from the general population—those deemed the strongest and most resilient. They were immediately issued uniforms and weapons—symbols of their new status—and from that moment on, a nomadic life began: the squad carried out missions. But Grayson, the beastmen's chosen leader, made it clear that you were not welcome there and showed every sign of disobedience.
You called him to your tent in an attempt to talk.

From hate to love.