[Wattys 2026 entry] This is the story of how I, Waylan, crown prince of Arkland, was kidnapped by my own men, ambushed by the enemy, and had to work as an apprentice like commoner And then I realized... well, I'm nothing special. And yet, I am expected have the power to end the fifty year war between the two nations of Arkland and Wistania. Are they kidding me? But hidden somewhere out there is a true heir to the Wistanian throne, and evil King Thrustborne will do anything to destroy them. So with the help of a loyal knight, a female blacksmith, a musical archer, a Lady dragon master, and a humble shoemaker's daughter, we decided its time to save our world. In a tale of mistaken identities, medieval robots, and trainable dragons, I have to figure out who I really am, with or without a crown. And whether legacy is something you claim, or something you earn. An original story, not a fanfic, mild battle action, clean romance, suitable for all ages. Book 1 in Ark & Wist Books series- a saga, moving through generations. 1: The Prince of Thickwood Forest 2: A Thief Most Noble 3: A Dare for North (in planning) Prequel: With No Prince to Lead Them (in planning/ drafting stage) Written from Dec 2024 to July 2025

In an age of uneasy peace and ancient rivalry, two mighty kingdoms stand divided by history, religion, and blood. Albion, proud and sea-bound, clings to its cold traditions and iron-clad dignity. Solandra, sun-drenched and ruthless, rules with opulence and unyielding fire. To seal a fragile alliance and stave off war, King Alaric of Albion sends his only daughter, Princess Evelyne, across the sea to wed the heir of Solandra. But what begins as a royal union quickly becomes a perilous game of masks and mirrors. In a court ruled not by a king but by Queen Isadora, the true power behind the Solandran throne, Evelyne finds herself a foreigner cloaked in silks but surrounded by thorns. Forced to take a new name - Catalina - and shed her past, she must navigate a world of whispered plots, poisoned goblets, and dangerous elegance. But Evelyne is no pawn. Educated in secrets, fluent in tongues she dares not reveal, she has been trained for courtly war - even if her enemies have yet to see it. And in a land where loyalty is bought, love is a weapon, and the truth burns brighter than any crown, Catalina must choose: will she survive the flame... or become it?