This is an alternate history of World War II, reimagining the global conflict with new powers and different political landscapes. While set against the backdrop of war—including depictions of violence, bloodshed, and the crimes that accompany armed conflict—this novel serves as anti-war literature, examining the human cost of geopolitical ambition.
At its heart, this is a story of forbidden love: a Hanseatic noble and a Chinese princess whose relationship develops through stolen glances and quiet moments amid historical upheaval. The romance unfolds slowly, deliberately, as both a counterpoint to and casualty of the larger forces reshaping their world.
The opening chapters establish the geopolitical situation and introduce the Hanseatic Empire as a new player on the world stage. This measured pacing serves the larger narrative architecture—understanding the political forces at work is essential to appreciating the personal stakes that follow.