Prologue.

The godforsaken northern lands, which were locked in winter for half the year, had a new ruler. After being granted the title of Grand Duke Noverdic, the lord of the North pushed for his son’s marriage in order to rebuild his territory. Known as a fearsome monster and a ruthless warrior, Lord Cleor’s choice was the warm, central lands of House Helsington.

Count Helsington had a daughter of marriageable age—Isabella Helsington. She was like a portrait on a wall. She never spoke, never left her house—she was nothing more than a decoration. But Count Helsington had no plans to marry off his daughter.

Why? Because she was fated to die soon. Isabella Helsington was his illegitimate daughter, born only as a sacrifice to the curse that had passed down for generations. For that reason, the Helsington family had no dowry for Isabella.

If she married and died at Grand Duke Noverdic’s estate, then her dowry would remain with the duke. They didn’t want to waste their wealth on her. What they wanted was nothing more than for Isabella to die quietly in the attic.

However, contrary to the family’s wishes, Isabella had no intention of submitting to that fate. She didn’t want to live like a cursed doll. On the day that the duke’s proposal arrived, Isabella made her way to the count’s study. With great difficulty, she knocked on his door.

“I will marry him.”