PRINCESS OCEAN

ever leaving Ocean's face. "You are as graceful as a

elp but feel like a pawn in a game she didn't understand. Her fa

s voice booming through the hall. "Ocean, my dea

sly smile. "Indeed, Your Majesty," she said, her voice dripping w

ound by duty and obligation to a man she didn't know, a man she didn't love. Her heart longed for

n the palace walls. She wondered if it was connected to her betrothal, if there was more to Lord Thomas than met the eye. Determined to uncover

amilla, her eyes gleaming with malice, "accidentally" poured a goblet of red wine down Ocean

"Oh dear, Ocean, it seems you've had a bit of a mish

ce a mask of disapproval. "Camilla, d

ering. "Oh, Mother, it was just an accident! O

ying on her lips. "Well, Ocean, perhaps you should go change into so

knowing better than to cause a scene. With a curtsy, she excused herself,

her dress seemed to grow, a constant reminder of the an

d figure. Apologetic, she looked up to meet the gaze of a palace guard, his face chiseled and handsome, his piercing b

cheeks flushed as she realized she'd been caught admiring him. She bowed her head, h

m and gentle. "No harm done, Princess.

prise. "My personal guard?

father, the king. He wants to ensure your s

ought he'd long forgotten about her, too caught up in his own affairs to care. But Michael's words sti

omfort in Michael's presence. His kind eyes and gentle demeanor put her at ease, an

ed, her blonde curls tumbling around her face like a golden halo. Her heart-shaped lips, pin

to rise," he said, hi

g her eyes. "What's

n sword fighting, your highness," he

ith excitement. "

her lesson. Her maid helped her into a fitted tunic and breeches, her hair tied

lp but admire her. "You look pretty,

heeks flushing pink.

r, and her half-sisters, Isabella and Camilla, sat in the stands, their faces stern and unyie

"Let us see if the bastard princess has any skill with

steel glinting in the sunlig

Ocean, and she proved a quick learner. With each strike, she defended herself with grace and precis

n's face lit up, and she smiled, her eyes sparkling with delight. Her sisters

y has royal blood flowing through her veins, as beautiful as her

ean grew tired. She lost her grip on her sword, and Michael's blade grazed her a

tly on her wound. Ocean stared at him, her eyes

d disapproving. "A guard shouldn't be touching a princess

irst time, she spoke back, her voic

ughter's courage. "She isn't dumb, Eleanor. She's the best sword fighter I've ever seen

by the queen and her daughters, their faces still twisted in anger. Ocean turned to Micha

Don't let anyone ever make you feel otherwise." Ocean's heart swelled with