My Dangerous Royal Lover

Vesper was once Iris, a genius musician. She gave it all up for Julian, the duke's son, believing three years of a sexless marriage had finally ended. But the man beside her that night was not Julian. She woke to find a royal crest and a stranger—and instead of panic, a twisted thought took root. She paid him like a customer, leaving three gold coins, hoping to turn a sin into a transaction. The next morning, Julian interrogated her about the marks on her neck. She lied. Then she found the letter. Serena, an opera singer, was carrying Julian's child. He had told Vesper he was not ready for children while building a second home behind her back. Julian forced her to attend a palace dinner. Damon Sterling, the Crown Prince and Julian's cousin, had returned from the northern border. Vesper recognized him instantly—the man from that night. Damon humiliated Julian in front of the court, then cornered her. He kept her earring as leverage and showed her proof of Julian's financial betrayals. When Julian came to Damon for a loan, Vesper overheard him call her worthless and vow to divorce her once Serena's child was born. Damon offered her a deal: he would help her destroy Julian. In exchange, she became his most interesting investment.

With her best friend Harper's help—an excellent spy who provided disguises, false identities, and enchanted tools—Vesper infiltrated the palace as a maid. During a royal financial meeting, she cast a spell that projected Julian's correspondence, pregnancy records, and property deeds onto the chamber walls. Damon saw through her disguise and let her finish. He burned the corridor recordings and let her walk free. She tracked Julian and Serena to an airship bound for York, presented a separation agreement, and threatened to expose Serena's love potion—a crime that would send her to prison. Julian signed. Vesper walked away free. A few days later, she appeared at a charity banquet in red, the color of war, and slapped Serena across the face when the mistress taunted her. Damon held his guards back and murmured that she had just declared war—and he loved a good war. Vesper was ready to reclaim Iris, compose a hymn of Glory for the kingdom's sacred Festival, and announce her return on her own terms.