Golda

"She was supposed to be silent. She chose chaos instead."
Lorraine was the abused daughter of the Grand Duke of Vaeloria—mute, deaf, and dismissed. Overshadowed by her perfect half-sister, Elyse, even the hostage prince she once saved mistook Elyse for his savior… and fell in love with the wrong girl.
But fate bound Lorraine to that same prince. 
Married young to Leroy Regis, the war-born Crown Prince of Kaltharion, Lorraine was nothing more than a pawn in a peace treaty. He never touched her. Never spoke to her. Never knew she could hear every word and speak, just not aloud.
For ten years, she waited for the husband who called her “useless” and “a mistake”.
In secret, Lorraine became his silent guardian: protecting his life, building his power, shielding his name. She gave everything. And when he returned from war after five years, she waited on the balcony, hoping he’d finally see her.
But he broke her heart. He came home with another woman by his side. His mistress, bold and beautiful, was a mirror of Elyse. And he rode right past his wife… without looking back. As if she meant nothing.
Now, the Silent Crown stays silent, but she would not be still. She's not powerless anymore. She's gained power on her own, walking in the shadows.
If love couldn’t move him, perhaps she shouldn't remain. If her devotion meant nothing, then it’s time he learns what his “mistake” is truly capable of.
She will break his heart…
She will leave…
But not before setting the palace ablaze,  and letting the ashes speak for her.

Silent Crown: The Masked Prince's Bride

For a moment, the thought struck her like a blade. But then, as the wave of shock ebbed, she realized what Lorraine had truly meant.

A vanishing act. A carefully orchestrated end to her identity as Crown Princess of Kaltharion. A way to disappear from Vaeloria with no thread left to pull her back. She had said before that there would be no return.

Sylvia exhaled slowly, silently cursing herself. She had let thoughts of him cloud her judgment again. That alone was reason enough to let go. He dulled her senses, made her falter.

She swallowed and gave a small nod, her throat too tight to speak. The weight of Lorraine's loneliness settled on her chest. Could she truly leave her? Abandon the woman who had given her dignity when no one else had?

Confused Heart