DAMSEL (2024)

Centuries ago, the king of the realm of Aurea attempts an attack on a powerful dragon, and his forces are utterly defeated. The dragon remains at large.In a neighboring, poorer kingdom (Inophe / Bayford domain) we meetElodie, daughter of Lord Boyford. Her home is impoverished and struggling. Queen isabelle of aurea proposes that her son, Prince Henry, marry Elodie. The marriage is intended to be mutually beneficial: for Henry/Aurea, for Elodie’s people. Lord Bayford encourages it because the dowry will help his kingdom.Elodie travels to Aurea, meets Prince Henry. Initially there’s little chemistry, but they gradually bond over shared desires (for exploration etc).During the wedding/ritual, the true motive is revealed: Elodie is essentially to be sacrificed in an ancient pact with the dragon – the marriage is the vehicle for that. The royal family of Aurea has been paying an old debt to the dragon.