carriages rolled into the village like ghosts. Dust kissed the hems of skirts. Birds hushed mid-song. And ever

ngers clenched tightly in front of her, knuckles pale, though her face remained calm. That's

ere always

diers. These were no ordinary escorts. Their armor was obsidian black, trimmed in deep gold, carved with the empire's c

assed close by her, his dark gaze raking across t

nothing. J

a whisper. "Stand tall. You are not her

ded once

not yet met. To become queen in a world where girls were sorted like livestock: some into homes of farmers, some

sh around her waist. His usually stern face softened for just a moment. "You have mo

e

Ki

f House

pire like a storm over still water. Twenty-five years old, forged in battle, raised in shadow. They said he had eye

d he was

he needed

orary alliance. A true qu

ire had

lilies wo