Marie is always dressed in tatters and is treated like a servant in her own home. Then she meets Count Kyros.
Kyros hates aristocratic society and its ties of obligation. But why? And what changed when he met Marie?
Marie begins her new life as Kyros' fiancée and finds herself bewildered by the differences from her old life.
Kyros wants to provide Marie with every comfort, but Mio cautions him. Then a package from the baron arrives.
Luiphon takes Marie to a sword fighting contest. The ferocity of it scares her. Then the dark warrior fights.
Liu Liu, Kyros' mother, discovers surprising things about Marie. Mio investigates the baron on Kyros' orders.
Mio investigates a comment in a letter from Marie's brother. Marie and Kyros go to the capital for a date.
Kyros and Marie meet Luiphon at a jeweler's at his request. Thoughts of Anastasia haunt Marie's happiness.
Kyros demands the truth of Anastasia's accident, but he and Marie are not prepared for the answers they find.
Worried, Kyros arranges to meet with Norman. But as Marie hears him describe his apprentice, her fears grow.
Marie's attacker talks about the past. Why did little Marie's life change so much? Why was she left in rags?
Marie is determined to settle things. But even with everyone's help, how will she confront her parents?
