Gretta Ely spends her entire youth supporting Crown Prince Hades Maverick, believing their shared childhood promises will culminate in marriage. Her loyalty shatters when Hades arrogantly announces plans to take an ambitious noblewoman as his royal consort, fully assuming Gretta will docilely remain his obedient second choice.
Refusing to endure humiliation, Gretta petitions the emperor for a diplomatic marriage decree to a distant desert realm. As a seven-day departure countdown begins, Hades remains blissfully oblivious, until the palace gates swing shut and the realization of his irreparable loss finally strikes.
