Brutal Prince

Brutal Prince explores how family legacy functions as both a defining heritage and a restrictive cage, shaping its protagonists’ identities. Aida and Callum begin their journey firmly entrenched in the expectations of their rival families, but through their arranged marriage, they forge a new, shared identity that reconciles their prescribed roles with their individual desires. Their struggle illustrates that while legacy is a powerful and often inescapable force, it can also be actively reshaped.

Initially, the multigenerational feud between the Gallos and the Griffins dictates every aspect of Callum and Aida’s lives, forcing them into conflict rooted in generational prejudice and a struggle for power. As the sole male heir, Callum feels the immense pressure of his family’s political and criminal ambitions, viewing himself as the one to “carry on [the Griffin] name and legacy” (15). His life is a carefully orchestrated campaign for power, a path determined by his lineage—he embraces this path because he’s truly allowed himself to consider another option. In contrast, Aida feels stifled and underutilized within her own family. She chafes at the prospect of being relegated to “some boring office doing busywork” (31), a fate that clashes with her independent spirit.