The Illdoren Kingdom has always longed to conquer the lands to its east, which are ruled by those the kingdom calls barbarians. Serafina de Lavillant, the kingdom's First Company Captain, is tasked to lead the next expedition toward the east. Witnessing the poverty of the citizens and the misdeeds of the nobility daily, she takes huge pride in her role and promises to come out victorious to ensure a safe future for the kingdom.

During the expedition, Serafina and her forces face off against a powerful clan led by its heir, Veor, who proposes a duel between him and Serafina. To allow her comrades to flee and survive the battle, she accepts, but he quickly overpowers her. As a result, Serafina pleads to be killed by him to retain her pride, but Veor has different plans for her.

She ends up in a cell, and Serafina expects to be used and tortured for information. Instead, Veor admits that he fell in love with her as they clashed their swords and intends to make Serafina his bride! Although Serafina suspects all of this to be a scheme, the warm welcome from Veor and his clan—alongside the east's vastly different, rich nature and culture—might just be enough to melt her heart.