Following his father's unjust treason accusation and execution, Ryker, heir to the Duke of Westerwyn, witnesses his world collapse. Left with his sister and mother, they teeter on the brink of catastrophe.
A glimmer of hope, however, arises as news circulates that the Cadilaria Empire's emperor plans to get his heir married—an enigmatic woman, shrouded in a half mask due to an alleged curse.
Given an unwelcome choice, the King compels Ryker to either wed the Masked Princess as the Duke of Westerwyn or face execution. Faced with this grave decision, Ryker, driven by the need to protect his family and restore honor, chooses to court the Masked Princess.
Determined to win her heart and avenge his father's demise, Ryker treads a perilous path, even if it means manipulating a potentially deadly royal ally.

The Masked Princess (Behind the Mask)

A few hours later, Raquel was sitting in a king sized bed with a blanket wrapped tightly around her. She knew that the evening would bring about the wedding night but she was still trying to wrap her mind around it.


It didn’t help that her nightgown left very little to the imagination. Raquel wasn’t exactly sure how she was going to make it through the night. 


Well, the servants outside ‘guarding’ her quarters wouldn’t physically stop her but knowing the problems that would arise from her leaving was enough to keep her on the bed.


The side door connecting her room and Ryker’s suddenly opened. Ryker entered the room wearing a dress shirt and slacks and was carrying a tray of food. Raquel’s stomach growled at the sight of food. She hadn’t eaten much due to her wedding dress.


“Nicole asked me to bring you some food.” Ryker said as he walked towards her. 


Wedding Night