_saintrose

A woman from Hull was never meant to wear a crown. And yet, today, they would place one on her head.

Verona Falkenrath has spent her life among the wild forests and untamed lands of Hull, a province scorned by the noble courts of Praylor. To them, she and her people are nothing more than barbarians. Useful for their resources but unworthy of standing among kings. When she is forced into an arranged marriage with Prince Lucian Velthorne, Verona knows what is expected of her: be silent, be obedient, and be grateful.

But Verona has never known how to kneel.

Lucian never wanted a wife, especially not one from Hull. Cold, calculating, and bred for power, he sees their union as nothing more than a political necessity. She is a means to an end, a bridge to keep Hull under Praylor’s control. But from the moment Verona enters his court, she defies him at every turn. Fierce, untamed, and impossible to ignore.

Yet behind the whispers of their unlikely marriage, something far more dangerous is brewing. A neighboring country has begun sowing rebellion in Hull’s shadows, promising freedom from Praylor’s rule. When Verona uncovers the plot, she faces an impossible choice: stay loyal to her homeland, or betray those who would see it burn.

But Lucian has his own doubts. When the rebellion reaches its peak, can he truly trust the woman he once swore was his enemy?

Bound by duty, divided by war, and drawn together by something neither of them expected, Verona and Lucian must decide. Is their marriage just another political game, or the beginning of a love that could reshape kingdoms?

To Love a Crowned Enemy

It was early, the light still weak as it filtered through the thick curtains of my chamber. I hadn't slept much; my mind refused to quiet. The days felt like a blur of conversation, strategy, and hidden dangers. But today, I had a mission, one I would not fail.

I dressed quickly, my movements practiced. Lillian entered just as I was tightening the laces of my gown, her face carefully neutral.

"My lady," she greeted, bowing slightly.

"Lillian," I replied, still distracted. "How much time do we have before the council meeting?"

"Less than an hour, my lady," she answered quietly. "But I have news."

I paused, my gaze snapping to hers. "News?"

Lillian stepped closer, her voice lowering to a whisper. "The King is meeting with Montreve today. A private audience. No one knows the exact reason, but there's speculation it's about your… actions."

I narrowed my eyes, the tension in my chest tightening further. "What does that mean, exactly?"

Chapter 24