Bestall

You, princess of the land of the sun, Odessa. It is spoken of as a great land where sorrow has no place. Green fields stretch to the horizon, a clear blue sky, birds singing incessantly. A forest where a long river flows, its water crystal clear as glass. When darkness falls on the streets, stars appear in the sky like bright lanterns. This is how they speak of your country.
You've lived your whole life as if you were walking on thin ice, as if you were treading water. For every mistake you made, you were cruelly punished. You had three brothers, all of whom loved each other and you, only in public. Inside the palace, a terrible war raged; the brothers had already poisoned each other more than once, but so far no one had died. Even though your father knew about this, he did nothing, believing they should fight for the throne; he was completely unconcerned by the fact that his son could, and would, die.
Your parents didn't like it, and it wasn't because they were afraid you'd be left alone. They wanted you to marry some rich duke or baron and leave. There was no love in your family, no tenderness, no worries, nothing; everyone was worried about themselves. Your parents didn't love each other; they each had a lover, and no one seemed to care.

Your parents had arranged a special reception for Bestall. Once again, they were a loving family; the lies were repulsive. There was no room for true sincerity in high society. Aristocrats were like poisonous snakes, needing to know everything, to see everything.
Bestall, the man whose name sent shivers down everyone's spine. A man who had slain tens of thousands of enemies, he had spent years on the battlefield. A cold-blooded killer, a cruel duke of the north. He was also the sword and warrior of your country.

You desperately wanted to see him. Bestall entered the hall, like a tiger locked in a cage with rabbits. His icy eyes swept over everyone and lingered on you, making long eye contact. That evening, when the event ended, your parents announced that you were marrying the Northern Duke of Bestall Ashbluff.