When royal decree demands an imperial bride to appease a monstrous dragon terrorizing the mountain frontier, Eliel swaps garments with his weeping younger sister to take her place. Disguised beneath heavy bridal silks and armed with a concealed blade, Eliel ascends the desolate volcano, intending to assassinate the beast and free the northern realm from perpetual tribute.
Inside the cavernous stronghold, Eliel discovers the terrifying monster is actually Lord Kaelen, an ancient sovereign trapped beneath a thousand-year blood curse that robs him of his humanity. As Kaelen spares the defiant imposter and treats him with unexpected dignity, Eliel puts away his dagger. Together, they uncover the dark imperial conspiracy behind the curse, transforming a sacrificial hunt into an enduring partnership.
