DA_Aloera

A princess's duty is to be beautiful, quiet, not loud, to be seen and not to be heard, which was how Dahlia lived most of her life. Bound by the expectations of her title, she spent years trying to prove to her father that she was more than just a princess and capable of being more than an ornament in his court but each time she never got the chance. Instead, she was forced into a marriage of convenience with the bravest knight in all the kingdom, Reagan Hawthorne.

Dahlia thought she would use this marriage to escape the brutal crutches of her father and glide out of her cage but Reagan’s cold disdain was an unexpected prison of its own. While he waged wars on distant lands, she stayed behind, holding his household together and protecting the people he seemed to ignore. But Dahlia carried a dangerous secret. By day, she was the perfect wife. By night, she became the "Black Knight," a masked vigilante fighting for justice in the shadows.

Reagan returned, ready to focus on his personal mission: avenging his father’s death. To him, Dahlia was just another pawn in his plans—a spoiled princess he needed to tolerate. But as cracks began to form in her perfect façade, Reagan couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to his wife than met the eye.

Now, with enemies circling closer and their secrets threatening to collide, Dahlia and Reagan must confront the lies they’ve told themselves and each other. But when masks fall and truths are revealed, will their fragile bond withstand the storm—or will it shatter beyond repair?

One wound. One secret. One night that changes everything.

THE Knight’s Hidden Princess

<p>The water rippled around me as my mother's hand dipped into the water before she brought out the wash cloth and began to wash me. Her gentle fingers roamed on my body carefully, almost as if she thought I was going to break under her hand. I held my head down, watching the soft waves ebb and flow against the marble side of the tub. The scent of sweet smelling oil hung heavily in the air, entangling us both in a delicate protective sphere.</p>

<p>Fire from the torches danced on the golden walls of the bathroom creating dancing dynamics which transformed into moving shadows each time the flames crackles around. My mother continued to bath me while humming soft tunes and I tried to stay still as possible, not wanting whatever spell I was bound in to break.</p>

Just Give In