Ashes to Ashes

The Dufriette Empire and the Kingdom of La Mer had been at war for over thirty years due to minor border disputes. This conflict was commonly referred to as “The Thirty-Year War.” The war ended in the Empire’s favor when a young and strong new Emperor ascended the throne.

Three years after the humiliating peace negotiations, in the late spring, moving into early summer, the Kingdom of La Mer, still tasting the bitterness of defeat, began to show signs of vitality. This was due to a romantic scandal involving King Raoul IV.

While the entire Kingdom was abuzz with the King’s love affair, Ian Hezler, a successful businessman, socialite, and war hero, encounters a past adversary. Before the war ended, while working as an undercover officer and serving as the Prime Minister’s enforcer, he had sent Zied Ignace Gieux to a labor camp on charges of treason.

Zied turns out to be the older cousin of the King’s scandalous lover. As the King’s lover became the new Queen, Zied, once a political prisoner, immediately rose to the center of power in the Kingdom.

With his former adversary now a key figure in the Kingdom’s power structure, Ian Hezler actively seeks ways to survive. In response, Zied makes a shocking proposal to him: “I will spare your life if you become my paramour.”