The Little Saint and the Grand Duke of the North

To the outside world, Duke Windzorice is an imposing and unapproachable figure, a man whose icy demeanor and formidable power inspire fear across the realm. Yet for Lilliette, a frail young saint enduring relentless mistreatment within the oppressive walls of the Temple, he represents something far different: a refuge of unexpected kindness and the only adult willing to shield her from her tormentors. When her divine healing abilities restore the duke's sight, he offers her sanctuary within the safety of Windzorice Castle, granting the girl her first taste of peace. But the Temple refuses to relinquish its prized saint so easily, and their relentless pursuit threatens to drag Lilliette back into the clutches of her abusers. Determined to protect her at any cost, the duke devises a daring and unorthodox solution—he will publicly claim Lilliette as his own daughter, forging a fabricated family bond strong enough to defy the Temple's authority. As they navigate this delicate charade, the makeshift father and daughter must stand united against a powerful ecclesiastical enemy. Yet with the Temple's influence reaching far and wide, their fragile new life hangs in a precarious balance—leaving Lilliette to wonder if this brave new world can truly offer her lasting salvation, or if the shadows of her past will inevitably reclaim her.