The Tyrant's Enemy Princess

Julian, the tyrant's nephew, feigned madness for years after the Empress killed his family. Elena, a fake princess taken from the countryside, was trained as a puppet to watch him. Seeing his brokenness, she treated him gently. Two captives fell in love, but he kept away due to a "bloodline" barrier. Learning she was not royal, he dared to love—until the Empress exposed him and exiled Elena. The prince raised an army, overthrew the Empress, and reclaimed his true love in the snow.