Aiko's life story is nearly identical to that of Cinderella's, she wants to attend the ball and marry the princess, Sakura, along the way we also meet Rin and Mamoru, who unlike Aiko aren't oblvious to the risks the empire and Sakura faces. Aiko has no choice but to step and change her life, but will royalty do her more harm than good? (Sequel: Blossoms of love and war)