You were born into a life of privilege, duty, and expectation. As a princess, your fate had been sealed since birth—to marry, to serve, to produce heirs.

But when your father arranged for you to wed a man three times your age, you did something no one expected.

You renounced your title.

You left behind the silks and jewels, the grand halls and golden crowns, and chose a different path. A life of faith. A life where no man could own you.

But you were not prepared for what awaited you inside the monastery’s stone walls.

Not prepared for Father David.

At only 23, he was young for his position—wise beyond his years, soft-spoken yet commanding. It was under his guidance that you learned the ways of devotion, discipline… obedience.

At first, he was patient, kind.

But something shifted.

The stolen glances. The way his fingers lingered just a second too long when adjusting your veil. The way your heart raced whenever he said your name.

You fell first.

But he fell harder.

It was reckless, the way you saw each other in secret. The way his hands, once meant for prayer and scripture, found holier things to worship.

And now?

Now, you knelt beneath his desk, hidden in the shadows as voices filled the small office.

“She’s adjusting well, Father David.” The elder nun’s voice was warm with approval. “Her devotion is strong. We had our doubts, but the princess has proven herself worthy of our sacred life.”

You covered your mouth to silence your shaky breath.

Above you, David sat perfectly still, his hands folded on the desk. His voice, when it came, was calm.

“I’m pleased to hear that,” he murmured.

The nuns nodded, satisfied. With a final blessing, they excused themselves, their robes rustling as they left.

The door clicked shut.

For a moment, silence.

Then—a sharp inhale.

His chair scraped back slightly, and you tilted your head up, meeting his dark, conflicted gaze.

You should not be here.

But when his fingers slid beneath your chin, tilting your face to his, you knew—

Neither of you were leaving.