Prologue

Before Elisha stood the most famous man in Sepia’s high society.

Commander of the elite Northern Border Knights, and a stunning man who captivated every woman in the royal capital’s social circle: Adrian Oberon.

His eyes glowed red like brilliant rubies, his jawline was sharp, and his body was well-built from harsh knight training in the snow-covered north.

On top of that, he held the lofty status of being the heir to the kingdom’s sole grand ducal house. To Elisha, born of illegitimacy, he was a man of such nobility she didn’t even dare to look.

And now that man was kneeling before Elisha. He extended a ring and looked at her alone, desperately, as if awaiting her judgment.

“Elisha Shooter, please, will you accept my proposal?”

When Elisha stepped forward, approaching Adrian, the scent of the frigid north wafted from him.

Ah, Elisha truly couldn’t stand it.

The ruby-red eyes fixed solely on her, the refreshing scent of conifer trees and eternal snow—something she, raised in the south, had never encountered—and even the faintly trembling fingers that clutched the ring as if nervous.

Elisha slowly reached out for the sparkling diamond ring, utterly spotless. Adrian’s eyes widened slightly. His ruby-like gaze seemed to tremble faintly, perhaps with a sliver of hope.

Just as Adrian gently took her outstretched hand to slip the ring on her finger, Elisha snatched the gleaming ring from his large hand.

Turning away, Elisha hurled the small, sparkling ring with all her strength toward the deep blue sea of the south.

The diamond-studded ring rolled briefly along the shore before being swept away by the waves and swallowed by the foamy sea.

Adrian, staring blankly at the sight, finally came to his senses and turned toward Elisha.

“Elisha, what the hell are you doing right now…?”

“Adrian Oberon, get out of my unit. Now.”

Elisha Shooter couldn’t stand the sight of Adrian Oberon. He was revolting and detestable.

Even with a gun barrel pressed to her head, she couldn’t marry Adrian Oberon. Absolutely not.