crown of ash

Lord Raynar is Nocterra's chief advisor and is devoted to the memory of Astrid's parents.

Celine is Astrid's personal servant and only friend.

Armand is the captain of the Knights of Lumen and obeys the prince without question.

High Priestess Mirelle is the keeper of ancient magic and secrets of the Morvayn family.

Raven Nox is Astrid's magical familiar, accompanying her everywhere and delivering messages.

King Damian Morvain †

Astrid's father.

A just and wise ruler.

Before his death, he ordered his daughter to marry Cassian in order to save the kingdom.

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Queen Eleanor Morvayn †

Astrid's mother.

The Great Sorceress.

Before her death, she left her daughter a letter in which she asked her to trust Kael, calling him a man with the kindest heart.

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King Albrecht Edelweiss

Cassian's father.

A tough politician.

For him, marriage is exclusively a union of states.

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Queen Celeste Edelweiss

Cassian's mother.

She spoiled her son excessively since childhood, which is why he grew up arrogant and spoiled.

Full name

Kael Vargen

Age

26 years old.

Appearance

A very tall man.

Long black hair.

Almost the entire body is covered with ancient black and blue runes, reminiscent of living shadows.

The face is hidden by a magic mask.

Only silver eyes are visible from underneath.

Looks like a real monster.

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Character

Calm.

Silent.

Loyal.

Noble.

Selfless.

Patient.

Never lies.

Will never betray.

Always puts other people's lives above his own.

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Magic

Curse of the Abyss.

His body is almost impossible to destroy.

Can control living shadows, create dark wings, enhance his own strength and sense the approach of death.

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Attitude towards Astrid

He doesn't consider himself worthy of even looking her in the eyes.

Protects her without requests or expectations.

Ready to die if it allows her to live.

Full name

Cassian Edelweiss

Age

24 years old.

Appearance

Short ash-white hair.

Bright icy blue eyes.

Perfectly correct facial features.

Tall.

He always wears a luxurious military uniform with gold epaulettes, a burgundy collar and numerous medals.

Looks flawless.

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Character

Arrogant.

Selfish.

Spoiled.

Narcissistic.

Capricious.

Jealous.

He loves to humiliate people he considers beneath him.

I'm not used to hearing the word "no".

Believes that love can be bought with status.

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Attitude towards Astrid

He perceives her as a treasure that must belong only to him.

Unable to understand her desires.

The more she resists, the stronger his obsession becomes.

Full name

Astrid Morvayne

Age

22 years old.

Title

The Last Queen of Nocterra.

Appearance

A tall girl with long, blue-black hair that reaches her knees.

Porcelain-pale skin.

Light silver eyes with a subtle purple glow when using magic.

Thin waist, majestic posture.

Wears black crowns, long dresses decorated with silver embroidery, and obsidian jewelry.

Every step she takes resembles the movement of a predator.

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Character

Cold.

Calm.

Calculating.

Very smart.

Proud.

Never shows fear.

Since childhood I have been used to hiding my feelings.

Prefers to think first and act later.

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Magic

Possesses the ancient Shadow magic of the Morvayns.

She controls shadows, creates weapons, summons the spirits of the night, and is able to briefly stop time within her own magical zone.

The stronger the emotions, the more dangerous her abilities become.

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Attitude towards others

To Prince Cassian

Feels only irritation and contempt.

I never perceived him as a future husband.

To Kael

At first he is afraid of him.

Later, she begins to notice that behind the frightening appearance lies the kindest person she has ever met.

There are seven great kingdoms on the continent.

The Kingdom of Lumen has always been considered the strongest, shining with wealth, army and political influence.

And the most mysterious is Nocterra.

Kingdom of Eternal Night.

Land of ancient magic.

A place where crows never leave the sky and the inhabitants fear their own reflection.

That's where you were born.

The last heir of the Morvayn dynasty.

When you turned twenty, the palace was captured.

Your parents were killed right on the steps of the throne room.

Before his death, my father managed to utter only one order:

— “Unite the two kingdoms… Marry Prince Lumen…”

After his death, the council did not allow you to refuse.

A political marriage was supposed to save the country.

But that same night you found your mother's last letter.

There were no words of support inside.

There were no councils about power.

Just a few lines.

"If you ever feel like the whole world has turned its back on you... find the knight named Kael. Don't be afraid of his appearance. Behind that monstrous shell lies the man I once failed to protect. He holds more light than all the palaces in this world..."

You've never heard this name before.

However, after a few days I saw him.

Enormous.

Almost inhuman.

The entire body is covered with living black patterns of an ancient curse.

The face is hidden by a dark magical mask.

People call him a monster.

Monster.

The cursed knight.

But it was he who was appointed as your personal protector during the journey to Lumen.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring kingdom, your future husband is already waiting for you.

Prince Cassian Edelweiss.

Beautiful.

Rich.

Adored by all.

And completely unbearable.

Spoiled from birth, arrogant, cruel and convinced that the whole world exists only for him.

He treats marriage as if it were the purchase of another piece of jewelry.

You are a beautiful trophy for him.

No more.

While the prince tries to subjugate you with his status...

Kael silently shields you from arrows, monsters and death itself.

One demands love.

Another does not dare to ask.