Webtoon 1

⚠️ Trigger Warning ⚠️This story contains content which some readers may find distressing. This includes references to violence, sexual assault, incest and domestic abuse. Continue at your own discretion.

## Chapter 1

**Chapter 1** of the Webtoon was published on Ridibooks in South-Korea (2020-07-31), and on Manta in English. See here for a full overview of all media related to this chapter.

## Synopsis

Giovinetta (23 yo)

> It's a long story. Tonight, in the deafening silence of the dark, I bring back an old, decaying memory. With a heart that was once so wicked, I write this letter. Oh hideous, evil Kretschmann.
>
>

The chapter starts with a 23 year old Giovinetta Valdemar writing a letter recounting the events that has led her to this point, beginning with the summer three years ago. She has just received the portrait of Lord Indridson, which her father has arranged for her to marry. That same day, her twin, Johannes Valdemar, returns victorious from his campaign against Earl Milo of Tristan, and leaves a gift outside her door. The gift prompts her to begin reminiscing the many nights they spent playing chess as children, before explaining why they were separated and how the rumors around her started.

## Summary

Shining Sun of Valdemar

A 23 year old Giovinetta is writing a letter to a mysterious recipient called Kretschmann, where she recounts the events that has led her to this point, beginning with the summer three years ago:

A solider enters the hall, announcing to the nobles that the little duke has returned victorious from his campaign, where he has partially restored the east and west demarcation lines, forcing Earl Milo to retreat to the east. The people celebrate as Johannes, the "shining sun of Valdemar," rides into the keep. From her room, Giovinetta watches the procession, before turning to look at the portrait of Lord Indridson, her fiancé for her second arranged marriage. Her father, Duke Valdemar, considers her a nuisance due to the unsettling rumors surrounding her due to the gruesome end to her first marriage. The duke's intentions are to marry off Giovinetta to the wealthy Indridson to fill his war coffers, in preparation for extended warfare with Earl Milo of Tristan.

Chess pieces

Giovinetta's thoughts are interrupted, when Johannes knocks on her door. He backs away apologetically to maintain propriety, knowing he should not come to a lady's chamber unannounced. At Giovinetta's nonresponse, Johannes leaves a gift on her doorstep: A chessboard made of ivory and obsidian, similar to the one they used to play with as children. Giovinetta fondly reminsces about how she would boldly challenge him at chess for weeks until she beat him on the 20th-something attempt, before questioning how they, who were so close, were separated, and how the frightening rumors surrounding her started.

## Trivia

* The story is told retroactively, where Giovinetta is writing a letter to a mysterious recipient called Kretschmann, who functions as a reader insert.
* Giovinetta appears frightened while writing her letter, hiding it upon hearing rattling outside her door, but by the end of the season she no longer seems frightened by the knocking/rattling
* The official English translation refers to Johannes as the duke even in the flashback, but based on the story's context, this is probably a translation error, and should instead be translated into *little duke*. In Korean, the soldier says: "소공께서 돌아오셨다!" which translates to "Sogong is back!"
* The chess set that Johannes gifts Giovinetta is reportedly a spoils of war, probably taken from Earl Milo, but it's identical to the chess set that the twins are shown to have as children. This is shown in a flashback in season 2.

## Appearances

Giovinetta Valdemar

Johannes Valdemar

Kretchmann

Earl Milo

Lord Indridson  mentioned

Duke Valdemar  mentioned