The first princess of Carleton was born under a curse of kinship. The church and the knights ignored the king's wishes and insisted that she be put to death.
Her kind godmother secretly took her away from the palace on the king's orders and named her Elena.
When Elena was ten, she witnessed her godmother being killed by the knights. From then on, she was on the run.
After lying low for eight years, Elena joined the Rose Knights. Their captain was a renowned warrior who had made a name for herself at twenty, leading an army to reclaim three cities Carleton had lost years earlier.
Hilda was born into nobility. After inheriting the title of duke, she declared that victory was not a glory reserved for men, and that women should not have to live beneath them. Everyone should take up a sword and defend what was theirs.
Her bold ambition drew women from all over the Kingdom of Carleton to her side.
When Elena first met Hilda, the point of Hilda's blade was aimed between her brows.
Hilda looked up at her coldly. "Name."
"Elena."
At last, Hilda looked her in the eye. Her deep blue eyes were as beautiful and captivating as the depths of the sea.
She said lightly, "I hope you won't die by anyone's sword."
Elena froze. She remembered her godmother's dying words.
"Elena, you will die beneath the swords of thousands."
Theme: Where there's a will, there's a way
