Episode 2 · 40 episodes · Irma, Crown Prince Lukian, Lady Rina
Knights bring Irma to the Palace of the Golden Lion across a snowy bridge. Inside the great hall, a silver-haired woman pierces Irma's arm to test her black blood. Irma snatches a weapon and attacks the guards, but they pin her down. Crown Prince Lukian intervenes and offers to spare her life in exchange for blood. Touching her arm eases his cursed marks. Irma accepts his terms with a warning.
An armored carriage crosses a snowy bridge under knight escort and enters the Palace of the Golden Lion. Above the gate, a hooded woman with silver hair watches the carriage roll inside the courtyard.
Guards force Irma down in front of a golden chalice inside the hall. A silver-haired woman steps forward and pricks Irma's arm. Dark black blood drips from the cut, confirming Irma's bloodline to the woman.
Irma disarms an armored guard and swings his weapon to break past the perimeter. Multiple soldiers rush forward together, block her escape route across the hall, and tackle her straight to the stone floor.
Crown Prince Lukian halts the guards before they hurt Irma. He tells her directly that his survival depends on her blood. Lukian offers to extend her life through a ritual if she cooperates with him.
Lukian takes hold of Irma's cut arm. A sudden glowing energy surges between their skin and enters his body, soothing his cursed marks. Irma recoils from the touch and pulls her arm away.
Irma stands against a stone pillar and looks at the prince and the priestess. Noting their stunned faces, she agrees to Lukian's terms. She adds a warning that one of them will regret this choice.
“Perfect. Exactly what we needed.”
“Try that again and they kill you. You know what I need: your blood. The ritual will prolong my life. And yours, for a while. Believe me, it's the best deal of your life.”
“If I say no?”
“Fine, Prince. I'll take your deal. And we'll see which of the three of us regrets it.”
Irma leans against a hall pillar after pulling away from Lukian. She takes the prince's offer to trade her blood for her life, but warns that someone among them will live to regret it. What will Lukian do with his new captive now that her touch can calm his curse?