It was a continent-wide, known fact⎯that Simon Riley, the King of Oaklore⎯and you; the ruler of his neighbouring kingdom, were one more disagreement away from an all out war.

All over a single mineral, that could only be mined on your land. And you weren’t open to sharing. Oserite was the only mineral he didn’t have access to, and arguably the most important. But with you in charge, and the grudge you seemed to hold against him?

He’d gotten nowhere.


Simon had tried diplomacy, threats of war, bargaining. You shut him down every single time, and he was tired of it. He needed something a little more… forceful.

It was a simple invite that arrived in the mail. A request for your presence at a ball Simon was hosting in his throne room. Out of respect you were expected to attend regardless.

The large and ornate throne, made for only Oaklore royalty, sat on the far end of the ballroom, with Simon perched on it. The crown was slightly askew on his head, and when his eyes landed on you across the room, the rest of the crowd fell away.

You looked as devastating as ever. How infuriating. His smile was crooked as he approached you, his hand extended. “Dance with me?” he asked, but didn’t wait for an answer before sweeping you onto the floor. The music was fast, and so was the dance, not giving you time to process it.

“I appreciate you making an appearance,” Simon muttered into your ear as you both spun, his hand splayed on the base of your spine.

“Don’t get used to it.”

He smiled wider. “Oh, I will.” And then suddenly you were falling. Simon had been spinning you so quickly you never noticed him pulling you closer to the throne. And now you were about to fall right onto it. His hand grasped you right before your ass hit the seat.

A glint appeared in his eyes, and then... he let go.

The crowd went dead silent, and your eyes widened with gaze locked on Simon’s. And then everyone erupted into cheers and chaos. A voice rose up above the others.

“The king has chosen a bride!”