The story picks up with Arianne, who, after being disowned by her father and having her engagement broken, visits the Duke's mansion to say goodbye. She is met by her older cousin, Lionel, who is shocked by her appearance and immediately invites her back into the Duke's family, promising to protect her. Arianne, overwhelmed with emotion, accepts and is carried into the mansion, feeling a sense of homecoming.
The narrative then delves into the world-building of the Oslund Kingdom, where spirits are integral to society. Those who can use spirit arts are respected and often hold positions of power. The Duke of Dunois's family, known for their affinity with spirits, resides in a mansion with a spirit-favored spring. Arianne spends her days playing with the spirits, finding solace and joy there. Lionel, who is studying to become the heir of the Duke's family, joins her for tea and they discuss their futures. Arianne expresses her fear of being separated from Lionel if he marries, leading him to propose marriage to her, emphasizing their cousin relationship and his desire to keep her by his side. They both pledge their eternal love to each other before the spirits, receiving a blessing in the form of a flower on their left hands.
Their newfound engagement is interrupted when Arianne's father, Joslan, arrives at the Duke's mansion, demanding she return to the Barthels Count's family. He reveals that Arianne has been betrothed to the Second Prince, Lazar, a decision made without her consent. Lionel tries to intervene, but Joslan insists Arianne must fulfill her duties as a Barthels Count's daughter. Arianne is forcibly taken back to the Count's mansion and confined to a detached building, her father ordering her to be kept isolated.
Life in the detached building is bleak. Arianne receives meager meals and is left alone. She learns that her father's decision to betroth her to the Second Prince was influenced by the Second Princess, Karine, who believed Arianne was a "Special Grade" spirit-blessed individual and that the Duke's family would support Lazar's claim to the throne. However, Arianne's spirit blessing has faded, and the Duke's family has severed ties with the Barthels Count's family due to the forceful way Arianne was taken. Arianne is then informed that she will undergo royal education to prepare her for her role as a prince's consort, despite her lack of desire for the marriage.
Three years pass, and Arianne, now twelve, is taken to a small church for her spirit blessing ceremony. To her dismay, no spirits appear, indicating she is of "Lower Grade" or below. This revelation shatters the expectations surrounding her, and she is returned to the detached building. Despite this, her royal education is set to begin. She is assigned Princess Consort education under Princess Arabelle, the King's brother's wife, who reveals that Karine's true motive was to use Arianne's supposed "Special Grade" status and the Duke's family's influence to elevate Lazar. Arabelle, with the King and Queen's support, intends to train Arianne to be a formidable individual, hoping she can one day return to the Duke's family. Arianne, though heartbroken by the fading of her spirit blessing and the loss of her connection with Lionel, resolves to endure her training.
