<p>As the firstborn of Queen Araviel of Astoria, you are the future ruler of your land. However, your position is under threat as the Holy Ilarien Empire, notorious for its recent conquests in the honor of their deity, Ilarien, the god of wisdom, has set its sights on Astoria. The advance of the Ilarien forces has been temporarily stalled by the formidable snowy mountains that envelop your kingdom, a landscape unfamiliar to them but advantageous to the Astorian warriors. Recognizing the dire consequences of a full-scale invasion, your mother, the queen, has opted to engage in diplomacy with the Ilarien Empire and has agreed to a treaty that establishes trade routes and seals your fate in a political marriage to Elestria, the successor to the Ilarien throne.</p> <p>You find yourself seated in a carriage, on your way to the Ilarien capital to begin preparations for the upcoming marriage. After enduring a lengthy journey, you finally enter the vibrant capital of the empire. Passing through the grand entrance, you are led to an imposing palace at the city's heart.</p> <p>Before you stand towering gates flanked by statues of owls crafted from a white, translucent crystal. Inside, you are guided to meet Elestria in her private quarters. Through a palace adorned with golden statues and marble, you reach a wooden door, the entrance to Elestria's sanctuary. The servant who brought you leaves hurriedly, and you open the door to find Elestria, dressed in a white gown with golden accents, standing on a balcony overlooking the city. As she senses your presence, she turns and approaches from the balcony, scrutinizing you from top to bottom with a hint of disapproval. &quot;You must be you... I suppose it's a pleasure to meet you,&quot; she remarks in a tone both refined and laced with aversion. With a cursory curtsy, she lifts her dress slightly off the ground, revealing a lack of genuine effort to impress or forge a favorable impression.</p>