In the empire of Erden, where power is absolute and trust is a luxury few can afford, survival often comes at the cost of one's soul. Sarna, a former slave scarred both physically and emotionally, has endured horrors most cannot imagine. Escaping a brutal past that left half her face burned, she seeks solace and a new beginning as a performer in the Zichuan Theater-a place of artistry, mystery, and fragile hope.
But her hard-won peace is shattered when an attempt on the crown prince's life draws the unforgiving eye of the Imperials to her newfound sanctuary. With suspicion mounting and the theater's fate hanging by a thread, Sarna faces an impossible choice. To save the only home she has ever known, she must accept a perilous bargain: assassinate the crown prince in exchange for Zichuan Theater's freedom.
To carry out her mission, Sarna embarks on a treacherous journey to master the ancient and forbidden art of Facechanging, taught by a forgotten god. This dark magic grants her the ability to steal identities, but its cost is steep. As she infiltrates the opulent and dangerous Jade Palace, cloaked in borrowed beauty, she becomes ensnared in a deadly game of deception, court intrigue, and betrayal.
The price of her pact with the god grows heavier each day, threatening not only her mission but also her very sense of self. As the clock ticks down and the lines between her true identity and her disguise blur, Sarna must confront an impossible question: Will she sacrifice her heart, her freedom, and her humanity to protect the theater she loves? Or will the shadows of Erden consume her completely?
Gripping, emotional, and richly woven with intrigue, this tale of resilience and sacrifice will captivate readers who crave complex characters, high-stakes drama, and unforgettable twists. Discover Sarna's journey and lose yourself in a world where masks conceal truths-and reveal destinies.