Modern special forces soldier Valeria Sterling is reborn as the orphaned daughter of a noble family and forced into a political marriage with powerful minister Cassian Whitmore. Before their wedding, they agree on three rules: a marriage without feelings, mutual respect, and helping the emperor cleanse the corrupt court. But on their wedding night, Cassian publicly peels shrimp for his cousin Lydia Cross, ignoring Valeria completely. Instead of arguing, Valeria calmly makes him peel a hundred shrimp until dawn. As Lydia repeatedly crosses boundaries and Cassian continues to protect her, their marriage agreement is shattered. Valeria writes a divorce letter—not because she is abandoned, but because she chooses to leave her husband. Cassian refuses to believe she is serious and keeps pushing Valeria away until the emperor and empress personally support her decision. After the divorce, Cassian loses his position, while Valeria chooses to defend the northern frontier. Only then does Cassian realize the truth: he lost the woman who truly loved him, and the cousin he protected was never what she seemed.
