Beneath the Courtly Veil
Doralice Ashford, the daughter of the powerful Duke Ashford, is known across the kingdom for her charisma, confidence, and iron-willed control. A master of courtly politics, she navigates the complexities of noble life with a poised smile, but behind that facade is a brilliant, calculating mind that plays the long game.
Doralice is a force to be reckoned with—ruthless, determined, and unyielding. Her ambition knows no bounds, and she will manipulate anyone and everyone to achieve her goals.
Lysander Falcon, the son of Duke Falcon, is a man of quiet strength and unwavering loyalty. He serves the crown with precision and duty, his every action deliberate and carefully calculated. Known for his stoic nature, Lysander is a man who speaks little, yet commands respect. His quiet intensity and ability to maintain control in every situation make him a dangerous adversary in his own right.
When Doralice and Lysander are forced to work together in service of the monarch, their contrasting approaches to power create a volatile dynamic. Doralice sees Lysander as an obstacle, an honorable soldier she can outmaneuver with ease, but Lysander is not so easily swayed. He sees through Doralice’s performance, sensing the underlying darkness she tries to conceal. To her frustration, Lysander remains immune to her charms, refusing to be manipulated. As they navigate a mission of great importance, Doralice's obsession with control deepens. Lysander becomes the one person she cannot dominate, and her need to break him intensifies. But Lysander, equally determined, begins to unravel Doralice’s facade, determined to expose the woman behind the perfect princess.
In a world where loyalty to the crown demands sacrifice, Doralice and Lysander find themselves caught in a dangerous game of power, control, and obsession. Their mutual disdain grows into a complex, dark attraction as they each confront the lengths they will go to for control and the price they must pay for it.
"In the end, who will be the one left standing, Doralice? Will it be you, or will you finally break?" – Lysander
"I don’t break, Lysander. I conquer." – Doralice