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)

“Aren’t you being a little too forward, your majesty?” Raquel growled out, the first to recover from the emperor’s words. “It’s been a few months since we’ve been married and you’re expecting news of a child… Your majesty had me two years into your marriage.”


“That is why I’m eager to hear any news of a child.” The emperor grinned, lowering his glass. “We both know how hard it was for your mother to conceive a child…”


Ryker noticed Raquel clenching her fist under the table and placed his hand over hers, giving it a light squeeze. He knew the emperor was trying to get a rise out of her.


He was even beginning to lose it a little and the comments weren’t targeted at him. Ryker could only imagine how angry they were making Raquel.


“His majesty is correct.” Princess Faina suddenly added. “Now that you’re married, you should focus on producing an heir. Perhaps, you can ask his majesty’s concubines for tips.”


Welcoming Banquet (2)