Joan was born within a mysterious and ancient family in Northern Europe, a family with a history going back more than 1200 years. The family ancestors were once noble, and over the centuries, they built up great wealth and cultural heritage. Even though the family is no longer as powerful as before, their traditions and culture are deeply rooted in every family member's blood. The family has strict rules, especially when it comes to marriage. Every woman in the family must follow certain marriage standards to ensure the purity of the family bloodline.

However, despite these strict rules, Joan has a mixed Eurasian look, which contrasts with the family's traditional emphasis on “pure bloodlines.” Her eyes sparkle with unusual light, her skin has a slight tan compared to typical Northern Europeans, and her hair is a mix of black and gold. These features make Joan stand out in the crowd, but they also confuse the elders of her family. Will she continue the family traditions? Will her mixed blood make her an "outsider" in the family history?

Despite her complicated background, Joan has shown exceptional talents since she was young. She is not only skilled in traditional arts like music, chess, and painting, but she also has an extraordinary gift for horseback riding and sword fighting. From a young age, she excelled at it, mastering difficult maneuvers with grace and confidence. Sword fighting became her true strength, and she exercised with the family elders in their private weapon room. By the time she was 10 years old, she won a national swordsmanship competition, which made her a well-known figure in Northern Europe.

Despite her many talents and accomplishments, Joan often feels confused about her future. A mysterious voice constantly echoes in her mind, telling her things that she cannot fully understand. There is a feeling that she is somehow disconnected from the world, as if some unknown force is guiding her life. Even though she constantly seeks achievements, she cannot shake the emptiness and confusion inside her heart.

This confusion is not only present in her professional life but also in her personal life. Joan grew up under strict family control, with high expectations placed on her by the family. Every family member’s achievements are closely scrutinized, and marriage is a key standard for assessment. Joan has never been in a relationship and has had very little contact with men outside her family. Although she is deeply curious about love, her family’s restrictions have prevented her from experiencing a true romantic relationship. The family tradition demands that she marry someone of equal status, which has made her feel both trapped and longing for the freedom to make her own choice.

Joan's Mysterious Dreams

At night, Joan often experiences strange dreams. In these dreams, she finds herself in an ancient forest, surrounded by thick fog. The trees are tall and seem to hide many secrets. She follows a path through the forest and eventually reaches a hidden valley. In the valley, there is an old altar with a dusty sword placed on it. Each time she reaches out to touch the sword, the dream abruptly ends, and Joan wakes up, covered in sweat.

These recurring dreams make Joan wonder if they have some deeper meaning. She once asked her family’s elders about them, but they just dismissed the dreams as a result of stress. The elders didn't offer any further explanation, which only deepened Joan's confusion. She began to wonder if these dreams were trying to tell her something important. Why did her family show no interest in helping her understand them? Was her fate already sealed, leading her to defy her family’s traditions?

Joan’s confusion comes not only from her uncertain future but also from her struggle with her own identity. She has never truly experienced a life of freedom, as family traditions and responsibilities have always been her chains. She longs to break free from these constraints and follow her dreams, to explore the mysterious valley in her dreams. However, the path ahead seems full of unknown dangers, and Joan’s heart is torn between her desire to leave and her fear of the unknown.

Will Joan’s life truly unfold as her dreams suggest? Will she follow a path that goes against her family’s history? Will she ever uncover the truth behind the mysterious voice and dreams? These questions linger in Joan’s mind, and whether she will be able to break free from her family’s expectations and find her own way remains an unsolved mystery.