The Misplaced Vow

Vicky Ortiz, born into a distinguished family of witchcraft practitioners, follows the tradition of harboring a "Death-Defying Worm," which grants a single chance to resurrect oneself or another. Years ago, when the admired Prince Riley was fatally ambushed on a mission, Vicky used her worm to revive him. Both suffered temporary afflictions—he lost his sight, she her voice. While nursing him back to health, Vicky, remaining unseen, earned Riley’s deep affection. He left her his jade pendant, vowing to return and marry her. Amid wartime turmoil, Vicky lost the pendant. After a long, fruitless wait, she secured an imperial marriage to Riley. Yet, on their wedding night, Riley arrived with Holly Howe, presenting her as his true savior—evidenced by the lost pendant now at her waist. Holly, having found the pendant, had assumed Vicky’s identity.