Ruth Kaizel, a twenty-two-year-old knight of the Crimson Knights, is promoted to Commander of the 3rd Division, tasked with guarding Crown Prince Ail Linus of the Karileum Empire. Ruth’s ascent is not a result of merit but political maneuvering by his father, Lyman Kaizel, who has recently risen to the position of Chancellor. Ruth joined the knights at thirteen to escape the oppressive influence of his noble family and the stigma of his mother’s past as a renowned courtesan. He harbors deep resentment toward his father, who forced his mother into a loveless marriage and now uses Ruth as a political pawn. Despite his outward composure, Ruth feels trapped by his family’s resurgence and dreads the obligations that come with his new rank.
Upon meeting the fourteen-year-old Prince Ail, Ruth is struck by the boy’s otherworldly beauty and an intimidating, predatory dignity that unsettles him. Ail is known for his cold, eccentric nature and lack of emotional expression. Their initial interaction is tense; Ail mocks Ruth’s appearance and background, comparing him to a harem attendant, yet allows him to serve after Kamiel, Ruth’s friend and Ail’s trusted confidant, vouches for his loyalty. Ruth’s primary concern is not the prince’s personality but the political implications of his assignment, especially given the historical rivalry between the Kaizel and Jenin families, to which the Empress belongs.
The political landscape shifts dramatically when rumors surface regarding Ruth’s close friendship with Elsen Miel and Elsen’s engagement to Lady Erita Jenin, a potential bride for Prince Ail. Rather than dismissing the rumors, Ail abruptly announces his engagement to Erita, overriding previous plans to marry Ruth’s younger sister, Leia. This decision devastates Elsen, who had dedicated his life to the knighthood to be worthy of Erita. Ruth feels a heavy burden of guilt, believing his conversation with Ail inadvertently triggered the prince’s capricious choice. Kamiel reassures Ruth that Ail’s decision is purely strategic, aimed at strengthening his maternal family’s influence, but the engagement is now public and irreversible.
As preparations for the engagement proceed, a critical secret emerges: Tasha Kaizel, Ruth’s aunt and the Emperor’s favored concubine, is pregnant. If she bears a son, the line of succession could be threatened, prompting the Kaizel family to eliminate Ail. Ruth realizes his promotion was a sacrifice; his father intended for him to die protecting the prince, thereby framing the Kaizel family for the assassination attempt while securing power through Tasha’s child. During the imperial hunting competition, assassins attack Ail’s horse, causing him to gallop into the forest. Ruth pursues and rescues the prince, but they are separated from the main guard and ambushed by masked attackers.
Trapped in the mountains with Ail wounded and exhausted, the prince reveals his true nature. He holds a sword to Ruth’s throat, accusing him of being part of the conspiracy. Ruth denies involvement, explaining that his family has already discarded him as expendable. Ail, distrustful of human loyalty, proposes a pact: Ruth must protect him and help him escape. In return, Ail will spare Ruth’s family and later break his engagement to Erita, allowing Elsen and Erita to marry. If Ruth fails, Ail threatens to kill Ruth’s mother and sister. Ruth accepts the terms, recognizing it as his only chance for survival and a means to protect those he loves. He stays behind to hold off the pursuers while Ail rides to safety, sustaining severe injuries in the process. Ruth retreats to a secluded cave, reflecting on his desire to return to the freedom of his childhood home and his determination to survive the treacherous court politics that seek to destroy him.
