Italy was no longer a republic but a kingdom ruled by House Riddle, the most feared and powerful magical bloodline in Europe. At its head was Tom Riddle, a ruthless monarch whose brilliance and cruelty had secured his family's reign for decades without ever becoming the dark lord history had once feared. Though Tom still oversaw every law, alliance, and war from the ancient Riddle Castle, the crown had already passed to his only son, King Mattheo Riddle. Young, devastatingly handsome, and as powerful as his father, Mattheo inspired equal amounts of admiration and terror throughout the magical world. Every noble family dreamed of seeing their daughter become queen, yet Mattheo refused every match arranged for him, earning a reputation as a cold-hearted king incapable of love.