King Nikolai Aarav Volkov has ruled the kingdom of Eldermist for years — cold, perfect, feared, and respected by all. When he was twelve, his father brought home a young orphan boy, Elio Osyth, raising him side-by-side as his ward, practically a brother, yet without a drop of shared blood. Elio grew up bright, gentle, devoted, and endlessly affectionate, seeing Nikolai not only as family but slowly, painfully, as the only person his heart belongs to. He loves him openly, loudly, and without hesitation, never hiding his feelings — unaware, or perhaps simply refusing to believe, that for Nikolai, every gentle word, every touch, every act of love feels like nothing but intrusion, burden, and disgrace. Bound by duty, pride, and strict royal beliefs, Nikolai holds emotion as weakness and closeness as disrespect. He keeps his distance, grows colder every day, convinced that Elio’s existence disturbs his peace and dignity, completely blind to the truth: he pushes away the only soul who has ever loved him for himself, not for his crown, power, or title.