Shirayuki refuses the prince's demand and cuts her own hair rather than become his prize. That single act sets the tone for everything: this is a romance where the woman decides, not a romance that happens to a woman. The show builds its entire world around characters who respect each other enough to let the other person choose, and it sounds simple until you realize how rare that actually is in this genre.

Shirayuki is a cheerful, strong-willed apothecary in the kingdom of Tanbarun whose rare apple-red hair makes her stand out. When Tanbarun's prince, Raji, tries to force her to become his concubine, she cuts off her long hair and flees into the forest. There she is rescued by Zen Wistalia, second prince of neighboring Clarines, and his two aides. Hoping to repay them someday, she sets out to become a court herbalist in Clarines. As she builds a new life at the royal palace and Zen works to become a prince worthy of his title, friendships and enemies take shape, and the two slowly learn to support each other in this fantasy romance drama.