It's a tale as old as time: Livia is known as an elegant， cold daughter of Duke Blanche who upholds the etiquette of the noblesse above all else。 Croft is a lonely Emperor shrouded in dark rumors in dire need of a proper court education。 It seems the perfect match-except Livia， possessed by the spirit of a fiery reader who dropped the novel before reaching the end， is determined to change her fate as an Empress destined to die a violent death。 Royal intrigue， assassination plots and political turmoil are the least of Livia's worries， of course。 When she enters a magical marriage contract with Croft to rehabilitate his image， each swearing to divorce when they fall in love with someone else， forces beyond their control pull Livia and Croft toward a conspiracy that could upend their lives forever。