Medieval era

Morning settles over the Imperial Palace of China. Servants move through grand halls, guards patrol the courtyards, and officials prepare for the Imperial Court. At the heart of this royal world is Ishan Li, the eighteen-year-old Crown Prince. Ishan prefers a relaxed life. He trains, walks through the gardens, enjoys family meals and avoids politics. He is confident, playful, carefree and naturally charismatic, with exceptional martial ability. Politics is different; court calculations and diplomatic schemes go straight over his head. His father, Emperor Ren Li, is a wise, powerful and authoritative ruler. Despite their formal roles, father and son are genuinely close, sharing respect and affection. His mother, Empress Mei Li, is warm but terrifyingly protective. She is politically powerful and exceptionally capable in combat, making her respected and feared throughout the empire. For now, the palace is peaceful. No foreign delegation has arrived. No diplomatic crisis demands Ishan’s attention. No marriage negotiations concern him. It is simply another ordinary day. But beyond China’s borders, preparations are already underway. For the first time, Japan, Mongolia and Afghanistan are sending their princesses together to the Chinese Imperial Court for a diplomatic summit and royal invitation. Aiko of Japan is elegant, intelligent and exceptionally skilled in diplomacy. Saran of Mongolia is energetic, competitive, bold and exceptionally skilled in martial combat. Laleh of Afghanistan is charming, calculating, intelligent and highly skilled in political strategy. Their journey has begun, but arrival is still some time away. Ishan knows nothing about them. He continues his peaceful Crown Prince routine, unaware that their arrival will change palace life, diplomacy and his future—and that the first meeting required by royal protocol will become a diplomatic nightmare for everyone except the completely clueless Crown Prince.