She came to paint his portrait. But instead uncovered her past, a secret and a love worth risking everything. . ✧ . Victoria was only meant to paint his portrait. A quiet artist with a haunted past and a love for color that hides her scars, she never expected to catch the eye of a king. Let alone his heart. But from the moment their eyes met, it was as if fate had chosen them. And one dangerous, forbidden kiss changed everything. King Lucien has ruled with fire and precision, never wavering. But Victoria awakens something reckless in him. Possessive, protective, and willing to tear down the walls of his own court to keep her safe. And Lucien soon finds that love does not come without cost. With enemies circling and secrets surfacing, his kingdom is no longer his greatest concern-she is. As shadows from Victoria's past begin to whisper the truth of a royal bloodline she never knew, she's forced into a world of power, betrayal, and revenge. Some would rather see her silenced than see her crowned. Others will do anything to expose her. And through it all, Lucien would burn the world for her. One kiss changed everything. But the truth might ruin them both.