y/n has spent her entire life living at a quiet mountain shrine far from the capital, content with her peaceful routine and largely unaware of the political games played by the empire’s most powerful nobles. Her life changes when Lord Kurotaka, one of the most feared men in the Heian court, begins visiting the shrine. While everyone else views him as a cold, ruthless noble capable of destroying lives with a single command, y/n only knows the strangely talkative man who teases her endlessly, brings her unnecessary gifts, and seems determined to spend every spare moment in her company. As their bond grows, y/n finds herself drawn into a world of court intrigue, arranged marriages, and dangerous rivalries. Unbeknownst to her, Kurotaka has carefully hidden the darkest parts of himself, ensuring she never sees the ruthless lord that terrifies the rest of the empire. Meanwhile, the noblewoman his family hopes he will marry mistakes political negotiations for affection, while ambitious courtiers begin to realize that the feared Lord Kurotaka may finally have a weakness.