Euphelia, the legitimate eldest daughter, lost her mother young and grew up lonely amid her scheming stepsister Loretta’s deceit and court intrigue. She has loved guard Sevian secretly for three years, only to discover he drew near her solely to protect Loretta. Heartbroken, she accepts the crippled Duke Cyril’s proposal without hesitation. By the time Sevian realizes he misread his true love, she is long gone, lost to him forever.