The Concealed Crown

"Run, princess Kara. Hide. Do everything you can to save yourself. As long as you're alive, the crown will survive. You are our last hope." --------------------------------------------------------- A week before princess Kara Amir's 18th birthday, the Althan Empire declares war to her homeland, the Kingdom of Darwish. Betrayed by their very own people, the Amirs are quickly eliminated, with Kara being the only survivor. Now assuming a new identity, Kara works as one of Madame Dalia's handmaidens. Her daily work at Madame Dalia's mansion is not easy, but she's grown accustomed to it and learned to love the simple and mundane life, almost forgetting her past. However, her newfound solitude does not last long as she receives an unexpected news one morning. She is to be sent to the mansion of Duke Arthur Sinclair as his new handmaid. Duke Arthur Sinclair, the infamous bastard of the current emperor of Althan has controversies and scandals attached to his name. Earning the alias of "Black Snake", he is rumored to be a ruthless and stone-hearted man. With her new work and new master, Kara finds herself trapped in the lion's den. She must do everything she can to conceal her identity and to survive the dreaded Duke. How long will she pull through and survive the watchful gaze of the Black Snake? Is Duke Arthur Sinclair really an enemy or a blessing in disguise?