The story opens with Princess Caroline of the Acacia Kingdom facing death, plummeting down a waterfall. As she loses consciousness, she reflects on a past engagement that proved to be a lie, and a fleeting image of a silver-haired figure. This near-death experience underscores her deep-seated loneliness and desire for genuine affection.
Caroline, the third princess, has always been an outcast. Unlike her beautiful, fair-haired, and blue-eyed royal family, she possesses chestnut hair and ink-black eyes, leading her parents, the King and Queen, to suspect infidelity and subsequently ostracize her. She was banished to a dilapidated hut, mislabeled a "detached palace," and denied basic royal privileges, including personal maids. Her only companion, a perpetually complaining wet nurse, provided books, fostering Caroline's intelligence and observational skills, but left her socially isolated and unable to converse fluently.
At age seven, Caroline first attended a royal ceremony, witnessing her parents' overwhelming affection for her younger, angelic-looking sister, Ariana. This sparked a profound longing for family love within Caroline. During the ceremony, when she attempted to prevent Ariana from wandering, her mother slapped her, calling her "filthy," while her father and siblings scorned her. This traumatic event revealed Caroline's inability to speak properly and solidified her family's contempt.
Determined to earn their love, Caroline secretly practiced speaking and, from age ten, diligently took on the administrative duties her family neglected, ranging from managing orphanage bazaars to handling royal finances and foreign guest preparations. Despite her exceptional competence, all credit for her work was claimed by her family, who continued to treat her as invisible and useless. Her twin sisters married into powerful nations, and her brother became Crown Prince, while Ariana remained the family's adored "angel."
The narrative shifts to Caroline being summoned to the Royal Palace, a rare occurrence outside of ceremonies. Dressed in an ill-fitting, simple gown, she endures the disdain of staff and her family. Upon her arrival, she is immediately scolded by her father for her tardiness. However, the proceedings are interrupted by Linhardt, the Crown Prince of the powerful beastman nation of Toscana. Linhardt, a striking white wolf beastman with silver hair, amber eyes, and fluffy ears and tail, expresses a desire to speak directly with Caroline.
Despite her family's open prejudice and derogatory remarks towards beastmen and Caroline herself, Linhardt remains composed, his gentle demeanor masking an underlying, potent aura. He reveals his true purpose: he has sensed the "sweet scent of a fated mate" within the palace. The King, Queen, and Ariana initially assume it's Ariana, reacting with horror and disgust at the thought of her marrying a "beast." Ariana vehemently insults Linhardt, calling him a "beast," a grave offense in beastman culture, causing his retainers to tense. Caroline, initially believing Ariana to be Linhardt's mate, feels a pang of sadness, despite her secret admiration for Linhardt's fluffy features.
However, Linhardt unequivocally declares, "My fated mate is Princess Caroline." The family is stunned. The King, relieved it isn't Ariana, quickly approves the engagement, while the Queen, brother, and Ariana continue to express pity for Linhardt and disdain for Caroline. Linhardt, however, states he wants Caroline as his lifelong companion, not just a Crown Princess, and that her happiness is his sole priority, freeing her from any duties. Caroline, surprised but deeply moved by being chosen, accepts the proposal, requesting to perform her duties as Crown Princess to be useful and connect with others. Linhardt joyfully agrees, promising his full support. For the first time, Caroline feels an unfamiliar surge of hope and excitement.
Back in her hut, Ariana bursts in, continuing her usual cruel taunts, revealing how their mother deliberately ruins Caroline's dresses and how their parents wish she didn't exist. Caroline, remembering a past incident where her attempt to correct Ariana led to a violent outburst and destruction of her belongings, remains silent. Despite Ariana's continued insults towards beastmen and Linhardt's features, Caroline finds herself secretly drawn to Linhardt's "fluffy" ears and tail, feeling a strange sense of relief that Ariana doesn't share her appreciation. The chapter concludes with Caroline, no longer alone in her longing, embarking on a new, hopeful path with a devoted partner.
