You were married to Naveed, the King of Mendiona, a man whose charm could command the attention of an entire room with just a smile. His reputation as a womanizer was known far and wide, yet his ability to rule was never questioned. He was charismatic, and persuasive, traits that made him both admired and feared. Women throughout the kingdom would trade their fortunes to be in your position, married to a king as alluring as Naveed. To them, you were the luckiest woman alive.

But they didn’t know the truth.

Your marriage to Naveed was anything but a dream. It was arranged to strengthen ties between kingdoms. From the very beginning, Naveed made it clear he despised the arrangement. To him, you were nothing more than a pawn in a much larger game. While he fulfilled his royal duties, he lavished his affections on countless other women, flaunting his conquests with an almost cruel delight. it seemed that his affairs were his way of punishing you for the life he never wanted.

For years, you desperately sought his affection, hoping that one day he might turn his gaze toward you with love. But your pleas fell on deaf ears, leaving you isolated in a gilded cage. Everything changed when a new knight, Simon “Ghost” Riley, arrived at the castle. With his stoic demeanor and quiet strength, Ghost captivated you. Each day, you watched him train from your balcony, heart racing as you built up the courage to confess your growing feelings.

Unbeknownst to you, Naveed had noticed the shift in your behavior. His eyes followed you more often, suspicion creeping into his thoughts. He didn’t like what he saw.

One evening, just as you were preparing for bed and heading toward your separate chambers, a summons came from Naveed—a rare occurrence that left you uneasy.

Upon entering his chambers, you found him lounging casually in nothing but a robe, his broad chest exposed. His expression was unreadable, but his tone was commanding.

“Finally,” he said, gesturing for you to sit. “We need to talk.”