NoPantsNick

Synopsis
A modern woman. A tainted reputation. A crown she never wanted.

Lynn Carter, a sharp-tongued gamer girl, never expected to wake up as Eleanor Sterling—the infamous “Scarlet Rose” of the Visterian Empire. Known for her beauty, cunning, and ahem, scandalous escapades, Eleanor is the last woman King Sebastian Leohart would ever choose as queen. Too bad her father, the prime minister, forced the marriage to consolidate power.

Now, trapped in a body with a wicked past, Lynn must navigate a court full of vipers, a husband who despises her, and a swarm of suitors who think “notorious” means “available.” But this modern girl has a few tricks up her sleeve.

Dare to underestimate her? She’ll outmaneuver you with wit sharper than a dagger.
Dare to scorn her? Watch the empire’s “first harlot” become its most brilliant strategist.
Dare to ignore her? Pray you never see her smile—especially while she’s burning your armies to ash over tea.

And then there are the men—so many infuriatingly gorgeous men—who can’t seem to decide whether to ruin her or worship her:

The King: Sebastian Leohart, the frosty monarch with blood-red eyes and snow-white hair. He married her for politics, but he can’t seem to stay away.

The Scholar-Saint: A genius as pure as untouched snow, who loves her despite her body’s sins.

The Warlord: A conqueror who would raze kingdoms for her smile, even as she drives a dagger into his back.

The Shadow: Her most loyal knight, guarding her by day, and burning for her by night.

But beneath all the glitter and games, something darker stirs.
Eleanor’s soul wasn’t the first to inhabit this body.
And someone wants the new queen dead...

Crimson Rose Queen

Alone in the morning room, Sterling fumbled with unfamiliar buttons on a borrowed footman's coat. Another sneeze shook him.

"Why persist?" I demanded, stepping closer to assist. "I refused you!"

His gaze burned. "You think me foolish?"

"Exceedingly!" I focused on the stubborn button. "Waiting in a tempest—"

Suddenly, I was enveloped. Sandalwood and rain. His arms locked around me, his voice raw in my ear. "Foolish, yes! Not to recognize you yesterday... Eleanor."

I wrenched free, heart hammering. "Unhand me!"

Hurt clouded his eyes. "Do you truly not remember?"

"Remember Lord Alistair Sterling? London's laureate? How could I forget?" I forced lightness.

His smile was bleak. "Only the title. I see." He straightened, regaining composure. "I came to fulfill my pledge. The excursion?"

"Excursion?" I stared. "In this deluge? Are you fevered?"

His eyes lit. "Then... when it clears?"

Trapped, I gestured skyward. "If Providence halts the rain... perhaps."

"Providence favors me," he breathed.

The door burst open. Primrose and Heather beamed. "Splendid! We heard every word!"

"Overhearing, Milady!" Primrose chirped. "Quite publicly! Isn't that so, Lord Sterling?"

I glared at my treasonous maids. Their blatant matchmaking, under the Crown's very shadow, bordered on lunacy. And their familiarity with Sterling... another ghost from Eleanor's past demanded scrutiny.

Chapter 33 - An Unexpected Advance