There was once five dominant kingdoms in the world. The west sustained the kingship of the Vecans, demonic people who feasted on human blood and preferred the exceedingly hot lands of the west. Preferring the west's vicious winters, the Craags were a cruel, cold bunch, and in between those polar opposites, the Zolas; nymph-like people who depended on nature to care for them. They interacted with the wild daily and, although ornate creatures, could act like beasts themselves; however, they were mostly peaceful and often helped travelers on their way.
Across the vast waters of Nios, to the east, was a different story; there was a cradle of all human civilizations. Compared to the western savages, these people were quite enlightened, as well as charmingly eyesome. Named for it's first Queen, the people within the lands of Corleia were wealthy and dignified. It did not lack honor, though it's dinner dances and coquettish masquerades were common place. While its military was highly esteemed, some might have thought its rivaling kingdom's was better. The Gregans competed with the Corleians in every way; from the rich economy, sturdy knighthood on land and overseas, cultivated balls, knowledgeable and refined royalty. The massive amount of land they controlled often conflicted with Corleians' territory. This had led to the two prestigious families consistently being at war. In their youth, the two rivaling Kings' wouldn't give up a scrap of land unless their men were brutally forced off; but as their hair grew gray they tired of war. Especially when the matters were otherwise trivial and both kingdoms continued to prosper.
So King Cornelius the Twelfth and Lord Gregory the Sixteenth began to make amends. The finalizing step would be to marry their children in the hope to create decades, if not centuries of peace. However, the Lord was an unorthodox one; he had several offspring and, if they were worth enough, he was open to any one of his sons taking the throne. He would have offered the throne to his daughters but, above all, he wanted to be close to the land of Corleia again. He knew one of his sons must therefore marry the only child the opposing kingdom had. While it was true that King Cornelius only had one daughter, she was one of the most beautiful woman of all the land by a wide margin, and the King made sure everyone knew it too. Not only was she prepossessing, but because she was born late in her father's old age, she was often considered a miracle.
As a princess in her youth, admired and held in awe by all; competed for by the rivaling kingdom's princes; given anything of her desire, expected to be seen wearing only the highest trends of fashion at all times. What more could a girl want? One would wonder. This is where the story begins. On a balcony, alone, lost in her thoughts when she spots nothing less than a beggar ambling into her mother's garden...
