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In the kingdom of Blackthorn, whispers were more trusted than proclamations. At the center of every rumor stood Prince Alaric—heir to the throne, brilliant in battle, and infamous for his unstable temper. Some claimed he heard voices from the castle walls, others swore they had seen him laugh during executions. Whether madness or careful performance, no one dared test which. Servants avoided his wing of the palace, and courtiers spoke his name only behind closed doors. Feme was never meant to serve him. Born to a laundress who died in the winter fever, she grew up unnoticed among the palace staff—quiet, observant, and skilled at staying invisible. But when three servants fled Prince Alaric’s chambers in a single month, the steward needed someone expendable. Feme was assigned as the prince’s personal servant, warned not to speak unless spoken to. At the same time, the kingdom prepared for a political union. Princess Seraphine of Valenreach arrived under banners of peace, bound by a betrothal she had no desire for and a future she could not escape. Publicly, the engagement promised stability and an end to decades of border conflict. Privately, the princess had heard the stories—and feared the man she was expected to marry more than any war.
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