Before She Ruled (Before Series, Book 1)
  • Reads 1,085,448
  • Votes 51,698
  • Parts 48
  • Time 8h 16m
  • Wattys winner
  • Reads 1,085,448
  • Votes 51,698
  • Parts 48
  • Time 8h 16m
  • Wattys winner
Complete, First published May 26, 2019
Mature
In hiding as a maid, Princess Adelaide must resist the charms of the devilishly handsome Duke of Kingfield. But could he help her if she told him her secret?

                                                                      *****

Two years ago, Princess Adelaide was forced into hiding after her father, King William IV, was killed in a carriage accident that also took the life of her mother and brother. She suspects that the despicable man now on the throne of England--her uncle, Ernest--is responsible for her family's death, so she avoids his watchful eye by working as a maid for the aristocratic families of London. However, when she's employed by the dashing Duke of Kingfield, she soon discovers that he not only believes that the princess is alive, but also that she could be the key to saving England. Is Adelaide willing to come out of hiding in order to prove him right? Or are her growing feelings for him worth giving up her claim to the throne?

[[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]
Cover designed by Holly Thurston
All Rights Reserved
Table of contents
Sign up to add Before She Ruled (Before Series, Book 1) to your library and receive updates
or
Content Guidelines
You may also like
of fire, of water | ✔ by inkedofstars
32 parts Complete Mature
In the kingdom of Aeziris, a rebellion is rising, but its reins are not in the hands of its citizens. With a fine string entwining her heart with that of its chieftain, Esméralda must walk a knife-edge while navigating her way through a palace of masks and smiles that stab, and maybe just not lose her all in the process. •°• Book #1 in 'of aether' duology. Esméralda Alby has been hammered two things her whole life. One, she is beneath her step-sister; two, to work like a machine. Despite being the first-born daughter of a wealthy merchant, she is never introduced as such, let alone be treated with its honor. After her mother's death, the word love, for her, resonated with the hollow of meaninglessness until she met him, a charismatic man with a persistent aura of mystery. Eirik, the blossom to her flower, the blue to her sky - he who brought spring to her wilting life. He isn't a king as his name suggested, but to her, he had become hers. But when her father's orchards get infected, drastically dwindling their income, Esméralda is forced to leave to the palace to work as a handmaiden for a lady of The Queen's Trial, an event hosted to choose a suitable wife for the Crown Prince of Aeziris. It was supposed to be a job freeing her from the chains of the past, but how long could she stay sane when Eirik stands in front of her as the only heir to the throne of Aeziris, as Crown Prince Aedric Emsworth? There might just be more to the rebellion than what met the eye.
Behind The Walls by DaddysxPrincesss
43 parts Complete
My fingers slid down his frangible ribs, subconsciously counting each one. I stared upon his scrawny figure. My hatred had quickly turned into guilt and embarrassment. The taste of my salty tears filled the corners of my lips; I had really been standing here for twenty minutes now. The path that lead me to this destination was unquestionably not a pleasing one. ♥️♣️♦️♠️♥️♣️♦️♠️ 🏰 Adelaide is forced to marry the prince from her neighbouring kingdom of Arcania... at least, that's what the prophecy of the envelope determines. Adelaide has gotten tired of being pushed around all her life; she decides to take matters into her own hands and ventures off to Arcania to plan her escape. Not expecting to find her fiancé's diary, she begins to read it. Her eyes are unveiled to the sins he has committed, or are they really his sins? Will Adelaide be able to escape the marriage she's forced into? Is there a deeper meaning behind her mistreatment? Does she end up changing her mind and falling in love with this mysterious man anyways? . . . I still need to proof read this one more so please point out any mistakes you find✨ 🃏This book consists of:🃏 ♦️Angst~ ♣️Abusive relationships ♥️Mental disorders ♠️Physical abuse ♦️Murder ♣️No smut ♥️Slight Fluff / 🧀 ♠️no harsh language/ cursing enjoy xx {I don't own any of the images used in this story; credit goes to all the rightful owners}
[2] The Queen Mother of Württemberg | A. Bridgerton by f1royalty
15 parts Ongoing
All Is Fair In Love And War. Lord Anthony Bridgerton, the formidable head of the Bridgerton family, sets forth on a quest to secure a worthy spouse, driven solely by his unyielding duty to preserve the family's esteemed name. His pursuit of a debutante who can meet his exacting standards appears destined for failure until the arrival of the Sharma sisters from the exotic lands of India. Yet, as the Viscount endeavors to court Edwina, his heart and mind are ensnared by an unexpected distraction-the Queen Dowager of Württemberg, now globally recognized as the Queen Mother, Charlotte. Unbeknownst to Anthony, Charlotte harbors a conflicted heart; while she yearns for him to marry, she can't escape the fervent desire that it were her he chose. A lifetime of unspoken love lingers, and she regrets the moment she turned him away when he bared his feelings. As Anthony's courtship of Edwina unfolds, Kate uncovers the stark reality of his intentions-a genuine love match isn't high on his list of priorities-certainly not when she discovers of the Viscount and Queen Mother's past. Determined to shield her sister, Kate resolves to thwart the impending union. Amidst everyone's efforts, every encounter between Charlotte and Anthony draws them irresistibly closer, entwining their destinies in a complex web of emotions. This fanfic follows Season 2 of the Bridgerton Netflix series, based on the novel "The Viscount Who Love Me" by Julia Quinn. Book 1: The Queen Dowager of Württemberg - Book 2: The Queen Mother of Württemberg Disclaimer: All original rights and credits of this amazing series goes to its creators. And of course, the original creator of all characters and books, Julia Quinn and to Chris Van Duden, the creator/showrunner/executive producer of the Netflix Original Series: Bridgerton. The only new/added characters are Charlotte, etc, and its ideas belong to me.
As the Crow Falls | ✔ by SmokeAndOranges
46 parts Complete
Niccola is a demi-queen undercover in enemy territory. Her little sister went missing seven moons ago, but one lead remains: a picture of a woman's face, drawn by a diviner shortly after the disappearance. Tracking her down has led Niccola to Calis, the realm next door whose border with her own remains closed for a reason. There, the trail goes cold. Until, that is, Niccola runs into a man in the marketplace who bears a family resemblance to the woman she seeks. His name is Isaiah, crown prince of Calis, and he's investigating disappearances, too. They join forces, faking courtship to sneak Niccola into the palace and get Isaiah's wedding-minded mother off his back. It doesn't take long to suspect that a common threat might underpin both their realms' problems. And as Niccola begins to develop real feelings for Isaiah, she's faced with an impossible choice: reveal her secrets and risk breaking his trust, or leave him in order to chase down the woman who stole her sister... a woman whose forbidden magic comes with a cost that could bring both realms to ruin. ❖❖❖ Complete and fully edited. Cover credit goes to @CeeMTaylor. Go check out her books too if you like Dark Fantasy Romance-she writes some pretty incredible stuff! Comments and critiques are both welcome and appreciated. I write characters from many different backgrounds, with many different experiences. If you share those traits and find that I have misrepresented anything, please let me know! I am feedback-friendly and here to learn :)
The Prince's Choice ✔ by WhiteGoldFangs
69 parts Complete Mature
"What do you even need me for?" She asked , speaking into the darkness where she thought he was. "I do not need you." He answered her darkly. Even though she wasn't surprised by his answer, his words still hurt. "I want you." Blurb: One day a mysterious handsome, but rude, man comes by Jade's home. She learns that she has been promised to him without her consent and her objections are futile. This handsome stranger is of a higher social status; as prince. Jade cannot fathom why he has decided to take her as his wife, they have never met before and what does he want with a simple girl like her? Jade is a girl of neither noble or royal blood. She is a simple farmer's daughter who's warm at heart but has a mouth that more than often gets her into trouble. She will not accept being treated like an object but this prince seems almost immune to her sharp words and objections. The only thing he simply cannot ignore is Jade's stubborn and crude nature. William is Jade's complete opposite. As a rude and hot-tempered young prince, he is not the most pleasant man to be around. He wastes no words were none is needed and is emotionally distant. However, he has his eyes and heart set on Jade and won't let anything, or anyone, get in his way to make her his. Whom of the two is the most stubborn? Who will cave first? Will Jade accept her fate and marry this rude and arrogant prince? Can she even love someone like him? Orginally written in Swedish, 2013. | COMPLETED | TO BE EDITED/REVISED | |Highest rank: 3/ 1,73 million in Romance| ⚠️WARNING⚠️ 18+ Trigger warnings: - Abuse in different forms - Sexual content - Violent content - Foul language Top Rank: #1 ROYAL #1 PATRIARCHY #1 PROTECTIVE #1 KINGDOM #1 UNDISCOVERED #1 STEAMYSEX #1 ADULTTHEMES #1 MATURETHEMES #1 MEDIEVAL #1 MATURE #1 FORBIDDEN #2 HISTORICAL #2 HISTORICAL-FICTION #3 KING #3 ROMANCE Start: 🇬🇧 Sep. 2019 Finished: May 2020
The Beauty Of Rose by yahsss
39 parts Complete Mature
**DRAFT MOSTLY** FOR FANS OF BRIDGERTON Rose Axel is deformed from the burns she endured from her father. Her face is forever hidden under a veil. Her waist is much too wide, hips too ample. Too many prefer calling her fat. Or to her family, a cow. When hastily married after her father's death, to honor the agreement made in his will, she expects nothing of it. And she is right to think so. Matthew Whitfield is not happy upon receiving Rose as a bride. He cannot even look upon her, as she refuses to take off her veil, and has no features he considers attractive. The handsome charming Mr. Whitfield cannot be bothered by the likes of his wife. She is the fulfillment of a contract and nothing more. So he takes a mistress, and falls in love. Victoria Sill is everything Rose is not. Beautiful, gliding, and glowing. She's interested in one thing only, and that is to hold the title of Matthew's wife, Mrs. Whitfield. She doesn't care who she has to crush to get her way, be it Rose herself. Victoria always get what she wants. Be it one way or other. Soon Rose falls upon a secret that turns the tables. In addition, Victoria finds a way to become closer to the Whitfield name. A child. As the circumstances shift, and the Whitfield mansion is thrown into uproar, will this situation bring Matthew and Rose together? Or will Victoria succeed in keeping them apart? ---- #35 in victorian 5/13/22 #1 in oldtimes 5/23/22 #2 in regency 5/28/22 #1 in bridgerton 6/15/22 [[word count: 80,000-100,000 words]]
To Bewitch A Beast by greenwriter
36 parts Complete
"Deliciously captivating! It's the perfect amount of laughs, love and drama. You won't be able to put this book down!" - Grace K @ HQ. When Agatha becomes the Everard's governess, she's grateful for a way to escape her dark past. That is until her growing feelings for the mysterious Lord of the house begin to present an even greater risk. ***** The Everard's are one of the most esteemed families in Wickhurst. And Benedict, the Lord of Devonshire and the eldest of the clan, is as mysterious and brooding as anyone The Town has ever seen. His face is marked with scars, and no one dares to speak on how he got them. Known to all as 'the beast,' the townsfolk tremble in his wake. But little does he know that he is about to meet his match in Agatha Blair, his sisters' new governess. Agatha is witty, smart and gives him a run for his money when he tries to peel back the layers of who she really is. She truly intrigues him more than any woman he has met but she is a governess and he is a Lord. The Town would shun the union of two people from different stations and any romance between them is surely a recipe for social disaster! But what can they do when the burning hot feelings refuse to relent? And when Benedict uncovers that Agatha is hiding a secret far more dangerous than anything he could have imagined, will love save the day and will Agatha finally tame the beast? *This story is a standalone title in the Everard Family series. [Now a Hachette Audiobook!] [[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]
Rediscovering Love by HHarrisAuthor
49 parts Ongoing
Carmella 'Ella' Camden, a curious and intelligent young woman, dreams of finding love and companionship. Despite her beauty and wit, she constantly feels overlooked by noble men during her social seasons, who only seem interested in her friends and relatives. Losing hope, Ella resigns herself to the life of a spinster. Meanwhile, Jeremiah 'Jeremy' Morvall, Duke of Darlington, returns to England after traveling for business, being left no choice he has to find a lady to shoo away the eager ladies and their mothers. Fate brings Jeremy and Ella together at a grand ball, where Ella seeks solace in the Duke's library, surrounded by books that have always been her faithful companions. Little does she know that Jeremy instantly becomes captivated by her enchanting presence. However, Ella's past experiences have left her feeling unworthy of such attention, and she dismisses Jeremy's interest as nothing more than a fleeting curiosity. As Jeremy persistently pursues Ella's affections, the walls around her heart begin to crumble. But can Ella overcome her insecurities and allow herself to believe in love once more? Will Jeremy's true motives be exposed, or will he prove himself to be a genuine and devoted suitor? "Rediscovering Love" is a heartwarming historical romance that explores themes of self-discovery, overcoming past disappointments, and finding love when least expected. Readers will be swept away on a journey filled with tender moments, unexpected twists, and the undeniable power of true love. #1 IN HISTORICAL - 18TH JUNE 2024 #2 IN HISTORICAL - 31ST OCTOBER 2024
Sumanika ~ The Prince's Widowed Bride by magicallovely
95 parts Complete Mature
He saved me from the burning pyre of my late husband and in exchange I gave him a lifetime of devotion. My marriage with my late husband could not called a marriage for several reasons. Despite managing my single life alone as the head maid of the Suryagarh's Kingdom I had been dragged and tied to a large pile of woods on which my husband's corpse was lying. When I left all the hopes of living a life and submitted myself to the large and heavy flames of fire, he came to protect me. Out of nowhere, without any support and clue. But, in order to save my life he had to make me his bride. He filled the partition of my hair with the warm thick blood of his, knowing he was getting married to a beautiful Princess in next six months. I promised to forget this incidence and move on in my life. But, he was the youngest Prince of Suryagarh and living in the same Kingdom, we could not escape each other, especially the game of power, care and domination our eyes were playing. And, most importantly the pull that was taking birth between us. Our marriage, the little, forbidden, incomplete marriage was a secret for everyone. But, could it be a secret to my heart? Could it be a secret, forgettable thing to us? Could it be kept as a secret for the lifetime? Could I see him getting married to someone else knowing he took a oath of protecting me? Could we be able to see each other moving on forgetting what happened? Could we be able to subside the encounters future was awaiting for us? This story includes mature and sensitive topics that might be triggering for some. Copyright ©️2024
You may also like
Slide 1 of 20
The Accidental Duchess cover
Her Majesty (gxg) cover
of fire, of water | ✔ cover
Behind The Walls cover
[2] The Queen Mother of Württemberg | A. Bridgerton cover
An Impossible Deception cover
Maid In Royal cover
THE KING'S POSSESSION cover
As the Crow Falls | ✔ cover
The Prince's Choice ✔ cover
A Duke's Lesson in Love cover
It is wrong...to love you?  ~  E. Bridgerton cover
The Beauty Of Rose cover
To Bewitch A Beast cover
Rediscovering Love cover
Sumanika ~ The Prince's Widowed Bride cover
Royal Betrayal cover
The Immortal Story - Bridgerton cover
The King  cover
Prince's Hidden Page: A Forbidden Romance cover

The Accidental Duchess

23 parts Complete

When the arrogant stranger Bess is forced to marry unexpectedly becomes a duke, she'll find herself at odds with her growing feelings as he hunts for a killer. ***** Sharp-tongued Elizabeth 'Bess' Jones is perfectly content living on her lonesome in a tiny village south of Derbyshire. She works as a nurse, owns a small home, and finds the label of 'spinster' an agreeable trade for her independence. But when her entire life is uprooted in an instant, she only has one person to blame: her new husband, Emmett Wilde, who was caught in a compromising situation with her. And now, despite his promise to fake a death certificate after their wedding--to free her of any duty to him or their marriage bed--he sends for her in the dead of night with startling news: his father has been murdered, and he is now the Duke of Ascot with a wife he can no longer deny... [[Word Count: 60,000-70,000 words]] [[Cover designed by Ren Tachibana]]