_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

Dawn broke over Velthorne Keep in hues of deep crimson and gold, the sky painting an ominous prelude to what lay ahead. The morning air was thick with the scent of damp earth and burning torches as preparations for our departure reached their final stages.

The courtyard bustled with activity. Guards tightening their saddles, squires fastening packs to the horses and nobles murmuring their farewells. Though no one said it aloud, the air was charged with an unspoken understanding: this journey was not merely a diplomatic mission. It was a test. And not all who left would return.

Lillian stood beside my mount, her hands clasped before her. "Be careful, my lady."

I met her gaze, seeing the worry she tried to suppress. "I always am."

"That is precisely what concerns me," she murmured. "People are watching. Some to see you succeed. Others to see you fall."

"Then let them watch." I tightened the straps of my riding gloves. "I intend to give them a show."

Chapter 28