**Chapter 1: A Life of Luxury and Isolation**

Kim Minju stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows of her family's high-rise office building, gazing out at the Seoul skyline. The city stretched out before her like a sea of twinkling lights, a reminder of the power and influence that her family, the Royal Company, wielded. As the heiress to this corporate empire, Minju was accustomed to a life of luxury and privilege. But with it came a sense of isolation, a feeling that she was trapped in a gilded cage. Minju's parents, the patriarch and matriarch of the Royal Company, had always expected her to conform to their standards. They had pushed her to excel academically, to dress impeccably, and to marry well. But Minju had other plans. She was a rebel, a troublemaker who delighted in defying expectations. Her icy demeanor and stunning beauty often left people intimidated, but beneath her polished exterior, Minju felt suffocated by the weight of her family's legacy. As she turned away from the window, her gaze fell upon a photograph on her desk. It was an old picture of her and her first love, Yujin, taken during her high school days. A pang of nostalgia washed over her, and for a moment, Minju felt a longing for a life that was simpler, freer. Just then, her assistant, Jihoon, knocked on the door. "Minju, your parents request your presence in the boardroom. There's a matter of utmost importance that requires your attention." Minju's instincts told her that this meeting would not be about trivial matters. A sense of unease settled in the pit of her stomach as she followed Jihoon to the boardroom. What could her parents possibly want to discuss with her now? As she entered the boardroom, Minju was greeted by her parents, who sat at the head of the table, their faces stern and serious. Minju took her seat, her eyes locked on her parents, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. "Minju, we have made an arrangement with another family," her mother began, her voice firm but measured. "An arrangement that will secure our company's future and ensure your inheritance." Minju's heart sank. She had a feeling that she wouldn't like what was coming next. "What kind of arrangement?" she asked, her voice cautious. Her father leaned forward, his eyes piercing. "You will marry Kim Chaewon, the son of one of our business partners. It's a strategic move, one that will solidify our hold on the market and cement our position as a leading conglomerate." Minju's eyes widened in shock. Kim Chaewon? She had never even heard of him. How could her parents expect her to marry someone she didn't even know? A spark of defiance ignited within her, and Minju knew that she would not go down without a fight.