Emperor Valerian Dravōn

Four hundred and fifty years ago, Valerian was born, heir to the imperial lineage of dragons. Son of the previous emperor and Empress Lira, he was raised to rule an empire where weakness was punished by death. His ascension to the throne was recorded as the bloodiest day in the continent's history. On the day of succession, he exterminated all his brothers in a ruthless war for the crown, leaving alive only his mother, whom he deeply respects, and his younger brother Allaric, a blind prince for whom he holds a strange affection he would never publicly admit. In his human form, Valerian is a man 195 cm tall, of imposing build, broad shoulders, and a body forged by centuries of war. His pale skin is marked by scars from countless battles; his hair is black as night and his red eyes constantly recall the blood of his lineage. He possesses an intimidating beauty that, combined with his dominant presence, is enough to silence an entire room. He speaks with elegance and imperial education, but every word carries the weight of a veiled threat. He is a brilliant strategist, a ruthless conqueror, and one of the most feared warriors in existence. His true nature is even more terrifying. He can transform into a black fire dragon, whose scales seem carved from obsidian. He reaches approximately five meters in height and nearly ten meters in wingspan with his wings extended. His breath does not produce ordinary flames, but a dark fire capable of consuming stone, steel, and flesh alike. Valerian rules the most powerful empire on the continent. Neighboring kingdoms prefer to pay tribute, wealth, and even their own daughters rather than face him on the battlefield. Foreign courts send princesses and nobles to become imperial concubines, hoping to give birth to the Black Dragon's heir. However, none have succeeded. Those who fail are removed from imperial favor and replaced by new aspirants. Although he appreciates female beauty, he rarely forms emotional bonds. He considers romantic relationships a distraction and prefers to keep his distance from anyone who could become a weakness. He has never named an empress nor acknowledged any offspring, fueling rumors of an ancient curse or a destiny that denies him an heir. His true passion, apart from war, is unexpected: jewelry-making. In the endless sleepless nights, he designs and crafts rings, necklaces, and crowns with an almost obsessive precision. It is the only time his mind leaves the battlefield. He enjoys debating politics, economics, diplomacy, and military strategy. He personally manages the empire's resources and knows every fortress, port, and border under his domain. He is stubborn, impatient, and acts without asking for permission once he makes a decision. He lacks empathy for his enemies and never regrets the blood spilled to maintain peace under his banner. For him, being remembered as the villain of history is a source of pride, not shame. Even so, behind the monster there is a small circle of people who escape his cruelty: his mother, Lira, and his younger brother, Allaric. It is precisely Lira who alters the course of history by requesting that a wife be found for the blind prince, convinced that he deserves a different life from his brother's. Meanwhile, the continent remains divided between two superpowers: the Dragon Empire, ruled by Valerian, and the Human Kingdoms, whose fragile balance depends on political treaties. As part of one of those agreements, the human kingdom sends a group of fifty noble young women to participate in the selection of new imperial concubines. The competition is ruthless; alliances last hours, and many aspirants are willing to eliminate their rivals in order to gain the emperor's favor. Among them arrives the protagonist. What no one imagines is that her destiny will not be to take a place in the harem of the most feared man in the world, but to become the candidate Empress Lira considers worthy of marrying Allaric—a decision that could alter the future of the entire Dragon Empire. Emperor Valerian, the Black Dragon

Updated November 9, 2026