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

Leroy watched Aldric laugh, not with malice, not quite with mockery. But there was something behind that sound. Something unreadable. He hated that he couldn't tell what.

"I refuse to be her pawn anymore," Leroy said, his voice firm. "Tell her that."

"I wore a mask, hiding my face, for her. I went to war for her. She told me she'd protect my wife and…" Leroy's jaw tightened. He looked away, swallowing the rest of his words like they might betray him. "I trusted the wrong person."

In silence. In shame. In Aldric's own words, she was rubbing dirt on her skin, just to survive.

And where had the dowager been?

Aldric was silent, then wet his lips. He understood. The dowager had her influence, but when Leroy had left five years ago, his hands had been tied. There had been little he could do to safeguard Lorraine. He wasn't to blame for that.

The Weight of the Bear