Like the Wind Among Withered Branches. Book 1

The plague engulfed the empire. Rietta Tristi, having lost her beloved husband and daughter, falls into the hands of the soulless Count Casaria. By fate's will, he dies, leaving a will: to bury the girl alive beside him. However, shortly before the burial, Killian, the Archduke of Axiass, known as a ruthless tyrant, appears to collect a huge debt from the count, but suddenly decides that it would be better to take… Rietta with him! Setting off into the unknown, the girl intends to repay Killian for his help. Will feelings ignite, despite everything, between the cruel man who knows nothing of love and the saved girl who has lost her love?