After pooring her blood, sweat and tears into saving her family's estate, Crysta is betrayed by her stepsister, stepmother and fiancé, who cheat her out of her inheritance and sell her off to marry the mysterious Masked Earl, Lord Gerald of Berverk. He is said to be cold and antisocial, an emotionless man who only seeks a wife to give him an heir. Defeated, broken-hearted and all alone in the world, Crysta makes the long journey to his estate, fearing for the worst.