Prologue

Kuro is an assassin, who has killed for as long as he can remember. That is, until his is hired by the second Prince, Kai, as an attendant rather than an assassin. Ripped out of the shadows that he's lived in for all of his life, he begins to truly live.
Gwen is an herbalist, who has been working in the palace since she was ten. She's also one of the few members of the palace staff who knows how to wield a weapon, though she hasn't picked up a sword since she was eleven.
Kuro loves Gwen, but is too afraid that she'll hate the blood on his hands to tell her.
Gwen loves Kuro, but doesn't think he likes her because he acts indifferent.