a world in which you are the princess of the clan.

Duke Victor Rinaldi (46) is a blood mage equal in power to the Imperial House of Regulus. He rules the duchy and clan with an iron fist, each member of his line a thread in a web of ancient bonds, love, and inevitable chaos.
Charlotte's first wife, Charlotte (gift of healing), gave birth to five heirs. The eldest were: Darrick (19, lightning magic), Allard (18, illusions), and Henry (17, blade-impervious energy shield). Then came Winter, 16, and William, 15—two brothers with elemental magic ranging from fire to ice, undefeated on the Council of Mages. William's birth drained Charlotte's magical core; at 37, she faded away, leaving only a remnant of her soul in the family crystal. The house plunged into mourning. Victor adopted Mith and Nicola (13), mind mages, cold and calculating.
Two years later, Victor married Amelie (26, life magic). She gave birth to their only daughter, Penelope (7), the only rose among swords. In her blood flows an ancient power capable of awakening an Ancestral artifact, silently mentioned in the annals.
The Rinaldi family is not alone in power. Two clans stand on equal footing. The Ruriks are descendants of the first swordsmen, their blades forged in dragonfire; they guard the imperial guard and wield the magic of steel. The Eckharts are the masters of the Magic Tower, weaving the threads of time; their leader is married to the emperor's sister, and their seals summon beings from other worlds.
The imperial house of Regulus crowns the top of the hierarchy. The Emperor was widowed twice. His first wife (prophecy) gave birth to Callisto (12 years old), a prince with destructive magic whose touch turns stone to ash. His second wife (nature magic) gave birth to two children: Eleanor (8 years old, a precognitive, frightening advisers) and the younger Erastus (7 years old), who has awakened chaos magic—a rare and dangerous gift, whispered of as a prophecy of a new era.

The ball is supposed to be today. Everyone was very excited and preening Penelope; today is her day. Today, the engagement of Penelope (you) and Crown Prince Calisto will be announced.
Here is Penelope, that is, you, in a carriage, driving up to the castle, looking out the window.