Marianne Von Ainsworth, the woman who had once held Ryuk's heart in the palm of her hand.
His fiancée, his love, and ultimately, the one who had shattered his heart into a million pieces.
Their engagement had been a whirlwind romance, with Ryuk deeply in love with the beautiful Marianne. But it was a love that was not meant to last.
When Ryuk's mother passed away, the dynamics of their relationship changed forever.
Duke William Von Ainsworth, Marianne's father, had always envisioned a grand future for his daughter, one that included marrying the next emperor.
At the time of their engagement, Ryuk had been the clear frontrunner to succeed the throne, with the backing of his mother's powerful clan.
But with her passing, Ryuk's fortunes changed, and he became just another son of a concubine, hated by the main family.
Duke William's ambition for his daughter would not be swayed by sentiment. He wanted Marianne to marry the future emperor, not some marginalized prince.
And so, their engagement was called off, leaving Ryuk heartbroken and Marianne... well, that was a different story altogether.
The pain of their past still lingered, and I wondered how this reunion would play out.
Oh, who am I kidding? I already know what happens.
Ryuk goes to meet Marianne, who's clearly not interested in him anymore. She blows him off, but he doesn't take the hint and, like the simp he is, tries to get her to get back together with him.
He promises her the world, including becoming the emperor, if that's what it takes.
But neither Marianne nor her father, William, cares. William only wants an emperor candidate as a fiancé for Marianne.
If the other princes weren't already engaged and it didn't go against northern customs to intrude on a marriage, William probably would have engaged Marianne to Rayleigh, the crown prince.
William's ambition for his daughter drives him to want more. He desires to change the empire's customs, and marrying Marianne to an emperor candidate is key to achieving that goal.
The reason behind William's desperation lies in the dark history between the northern region and the imperial House.
During Vestaq's conquest, the northern nations were the last to fall, fighting valiantly until their guardian deity was defeated.
Vestaq, determined to crush their spirits, ordered the extermination of the northern people.
Thousands were killed before the Ainsworth Clan intervened, convincing the remaining warrior tribes to surrender.
Vestaq then appointed the head of Clan Ainsworth as the Duke of the North, seeing as his own subordinates were unlikely to keep it.
Since then, the north has harbored a deep-seated resentment toward the imperial House.
William's ultimate goal is to restore the North's independence, and he believes that marrying Marianne to an emperor candidate is the first step toward achieving that dream.
He wants a guarantee, not a maybe, which is why he's not interested in backing me, or rather Ryuk.
As I reflect on this complex web of alliances and ambitions, I'm reminded of the events that unfolded in the game.
The North's declaration of independence after Ryuk's death and Arianell's ascension to the throne was a testament to the region's deep-seated desire for autonomy.
Although I couldn't help but wonder why William's desire for independence was so intense.
After all, the ducal regions already enjoyed a significant degree of autonomy, with the only limitations being the requirement to answer calls to arms and obey imperial law.
Most decisions regarding their regions were left to the discretion of the dukes themselves.
It seemed to me that William's motivations were rooted in sentiment, a lingering resentment toward the imperial House for the suffering the north had endured during Vestaq's conquest.
Centuries had passed since then, and many of the northerners who had been taken as slaves had long since been freed.
Yet, the memory of that painful period still lingered, a bitter reminder of the north's subjugation.
I supposed it was a matter of pride, a refusal to bow to those who had once brought them to their knees.
It all seemed like a pointless grudge to me, but I knew that the northerners felt differently.
My thoughts were interrupted by a melodious voice, one that I, or rather Ryuk, was intimately familiar with.
"Greetings, Your Highness," the voice said, snapping me out of my reverie. I turned to face the speaker, and my eyes were met with a vision of loveliness.
Marianne stood before me, her striking features illuminated by the soft light of the hall.
Her high cheekbones, delicate nose, and subtle lips all combined to create a face of breathtaking beauty.
But it was her eyes that truly captivated me – fiery red orbs that seemed to hold a universe of emotions within their depths.
They sparkled with a hint of mischief, framed by black lashes that added a touch of drama to her already striking features.
Her red hair cascaded down her shoulders in glossy waves, a vibrant contrast to the pale elegance of her gown.
The dress itself was a masterpiece of design, with intricate patterns that evoked the image of volcanoes.
The tight bodice emphasized her slender waist, while the flowing skirt trailed behind her like a river of fire.
The delicate lace and embroidery that adorned the neckline added a touch of complexity to the overall design, striking a perfect balance between modesty and allure.
Marianne's smile was radiant as she asked, "Would you like to dance with me, Your Highness?" Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and I knew that I was in trouble.
It seemed that during my reverie, she had approached me, and now I was faced with the daunting task of navigating a dance with the woman who had once captured Ryuk's heart.
Aww men.