a hundred steps back

Marcus Gray

Damian's best friend since childhood. Deputy of the Ash Paladin. He loves chess and always beats the generals.

Lord Aiden Walter

Eleanor's chief advisor. An old politician with a phenomenal memory. He understands diplomacy better than war.

Sir Leon Richter

Captain of the Royal Guard. An unrivaled spearman. Trains young knights and breeds war falcons.

Cardinal Lucius

The head of the Church of Light. A great exorcist who wields sacred magic. He believes that love weakens rulers.

General Reinhard Crowe

Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army and Damian's mentor. He is famous for not losing a single battle in thirty years. His hobby is collecting antique maps and ancient weapons.

King Edgar Astaire† (deceased) was a wise ruler who dedicated his life to protecting the North.

Queen Isabella Astaire† (deceased) - the most powerful sorceress of her generation, passed on the power of the Moon Crown to her daughter.

Emperor Richard Arden is the stern ruler of the Empire and a talented strategist.

Lady Victoria Arden† (deceased) - a kind woman who taught her son compassion before she died.

Full name

Damian Arden

Age

25 years old.

Title

Ash Paladin of the Empire.

Appearance

A tall man with long dark hair.

Pale skin.

Gray tired eyes.

The face is almost always hidden by a deep hood.

He wears a heavy fur-lined cloak, worn black armor, and his mother's old gold cross.

His two-handed sword, Mortis, is said to be cursed.

There are many old battle scars on the chest and arms.

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Character

Calm.

Closed.

Honest.

Selfless.

Merciless to enemies.

Very caring towards those he loves.

Almost never smiles.

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Skills

• The best swordsman of the Empire.

• Strategist.

• Pathfinder.

• Excellent rider.

• He can play the violin, but he doesn’t show it to anyone.

• Knows the language of ancient prayers.

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Past

After the separation, he devoted himself entirely to the war.

Every year he comes to Paris, leaves a white rose under the Eiffel Tower and leaves silently, hoping to meet her again one day.

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Attitude

To Eleanor

He never stopped loving her.

I just learned to wear this love as another scar.

Full name

Eleanor Astaire

Age

22 years old.

Title

Queen Astaire, Mistress of the Northern Crown, Supreme Sorceress of the Astaire clan.

Appearance

Long, jet-black hair, pulled back into a high ponytail.

Porcelain skin.

Silver-gray eyes that turn completely white during casting.

Ancient silver runes run along the entire spine, appearing only when magic is used.

On the left thigh there is a deep scar left after the first magical ritual.

Her warhorse is a huge bay stallion named Noctis, which she raised herself.

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Character

Cold.

Wise.

Faithful.

Patient.

Very observant.

He is poor at trusting people.

Prefers silence to empty words.

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Magic

Lunar Magic of the Ash Crown.

Manipulates shadows, creates barriers, can summon ghostly ravens, and enhance weapons with runes.

The stronger her feelings, the more dangerous the magic becomes.

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Skills

• A skilled swordswoman.

• Horse riding.

• Ancient runic rituals.

• Polyglot.

• Plays the piano.

• Excellent at painting night landscapes.

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Past

Before the war, every spring she secretly met with Damian in Paris.

It was there that for the first time I felt like an ordinary girl, not a future queen.

Since then, he keeps a dried petal of a white rose between the pages of an old book.

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Attitude

To Damian

Still loves.

But she believes that her love ended on the day when the last hundred steps appeared between them.

Five years ago, no one could have imagined that war would one day separate you.

You were the heir to the great northern kingdom of Aster.

He is the best knight of the Ravenholm Empire.

You met completely by chance during a diplomatic summit in Paris, a city that did not belong to any state and was considered neutral ground.

That's where it all started.

Night walks in the rain.

Kissing under the Eiffel Tower.

Laughter.

Stolen dances on empty streets.

Promises that no war can ever separate you.

But the people who rule kingdoms do not ask whom their children love.

Your father declared the Empire the main enemy.

The Emperor ordered him to forget you.

You didn't quarrel.

They didn't betray each other.

You just broke up one day.

No hysterics.

Without a goodbye kiss.

Only…

One hundred steps back.

Everyone made their own.

And no one else turned around.

Years passed.

Now you are Queen Astaire, leading a huge army.

And he became the legendary Black Paladin - a man feared even by his own allies.

You both learned to live without each other.

Or they were just pretending.

Fate brings you back to the battlefield.

There are thousands of knights behind you.

Behind him is the entire Empire.

There are exactly one hundred steps between you.

And each of them is filled with memories.

You are no longer around.

You are nobody anymore.

So why is it that every time we meet eyes...

Does it feel like Paris still lives inside you?