Even If You Tear Me Apart

“I believed you had chosen a better path than I did. Is this the life you chose?”
“Sir, while we may have once been close, that does not give you the right to interfere in my life.”

But on the night before the wedding,
Iris pushes her husband-to-be off a balcony to his death—
And, barefoot, runs straight to Ezekiel…

*Setting/Genre:
Fantasy

Keywords:
Fantasy setting, european ambiance, court romance, royalty/nobility, misunderstandings, secret romance, arranged marriage, forbidden love, regretful male lead, wounded male lead, devoted male lead, chaste male lead, innocent female lead, bittersweet, emotional, melodrama

*Male Lead: Ezekiel lo Murenas (23)
Born as a prince dedicated to the gods from birth, he is the commander of the knights of the Holy Order of Udal. A chaste, diligent, and deeply devout knight, Ezekiel harbors an unforgettable first love. One day, under the command of his elder brother, the crown prince of the empire, he is tasked with escorting a young woman—none other than his first love, Iris Quilluxia.
His duty now was to escort her on a journey—her wedding march—to marry a forty-year-old mage.
Even though he knew she did not love him, why couldn’t he take his eyes off her?

*Female Lead: Iris Quilluxia (20)
The daughter of the impoverished Baron Quilluxia, she has lived a life far removed from the aristocracy. Except once, during one summer in her childhood, when the imperial princes suddenly appeared in her world.
At the age of twenty, she is given an offer: become the Emperor’s adopted daughter and marry a mage. It’s time to let go of her first love and face reality.
But the man sent to escort her is none other than Ezekiel lo Murenas.
Her first love.

*When to read:
When you want to see how far a man, who realizes his love too late, is willing to go for it.

*Quote:
The boy knew what could happen the moment he kissed her.
He had been dedicated to God, forbidden from holding another in his heart.
And yet, he thought,
O, God. Please, I implore thee, allow me to be with her.
If I am granted thus, I shall offer anything in return.