He had been among the first to explore the Rift. Theirs was a world of magic, and beyond that crack in the sky, things were completely different. Every new thing that was brought back was touted to be the greatest discovery for mankind.

Born with a golden spoon, and as the Captain of the squadron with the most accolades under their belt, Lucas Turnique was the dashing hero in every girl's fantasy.

It was a shame that he was so committed to the cause of advancing the nation that he showed no interest in his interpersonal affairs with the fairer sex.

No matter. A man far out of reach was a man in high demand.

Not many remembered that he once had a fiancée. Even fewer could recall that he had been the one to end the engagement. But those who knew him well knew that the reason his eyes had never settled on another woman was because the one he left in a moment's misjudgment, had left the world for good.