"I was never meant to be queen-but in defying a king, I became something greater: a legend."
- Charlotte Wright, The King's Shadow
Completed.
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In the glittering yet treacherous court of King Henry VIII, Charlotte Wright's life is forever changed when she catches the king's eye. Mixed-race, beautiful, and intelligent, Charlotte serves as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne Boleyn, hoping for a quiet life and dreaming of a future with her childhood love, William. But Henry's infatuation turns her world upside down, tearing away her freedom, her innocence, and the man she loves. Forced into an unwanted relationship with the king, Charlotte finds herself entangled in the brutal politics of power, while haunted by the memory of a life she once cherished.
When Charlotte becomes pregnant, Henry's hopes for a male heir ignite a plan to make her his queen at any cost, even as Queen Anne desperately tries to hold onto her crown. But Charlotte, hardened by her loss and Henry's relentless cruelty, makes a daring escape to protect her child, knowing it may cost her life.
As Henry's rage grows, he becomes obsessed with hunting down the woman who defied him. Yet Charlotte's strength and sacrifice leave a lasting mark-a legacy of courage and defiance that endures long after the king's shadow fades.
The King's Shadow is a powerful reimagining of Tudor history, exploring themes of resilience, love, and the cost of survival under the rule of a tyrant.
* Most Impressive Rankings (December 2024) *
#1 in tudorengland
#1 in powerandbetrayal
#2 in kinghenryviii
#2 in royalintrigue
#4 in historicaldrama
She lead a rather tragic life.
The black sheep of her family due to her lack of affinity for fire. Her affinity was quite the opposite. Water in fact.
Already in a time when women did not really have much political power or rights, she was outcasted by her family despite being of nobility.
Still allowed to live in the distant west wing of the massive Grand Duke's manor, she has never eaten a single meal with her family nor extended family, and has spent her loneliness in her books and sword lessons.
Although only taught by the head butler and one of the low ranked knights of the family, she was quite bright and if her family would have given her a chance she would have done great things.
If only she didn't die at such a young age.
Married off to some "hero" of sort that had slayed the Dragon of the North who was terrorizing the land and threatened the kingdom, this hero also had an affinity for fire and held her in disdain like the rest of her family.
Suddenly a girl of another world was transported to their world, picked up by this hero and put into his secure care. The pair soon fell for each other despite the hero's marriage, and many believed Laraine got jealous of this girl of mystery, and tried to kill her.
This was definitely not true.
But because the girl was favored by the temple and kingdom Laraine was quickly arrested and put on trial.
You can probably tell what happened to Laraine.
But something strange happened the day of her execution. As soon as her decapitated head hit the ground the sky turned blood red and it began to rain fire.
No one survived that day.
But for some reason time went back, and Laraine was back to being a child, but with no memory of her future. There were select few in her life, however, that remembered her tragedy and now perhaps will take action to prevent it.
NOTE: I'M AWARE THERE ARE A LOT OF INCONSISTENCIES. IT WILL BE EDITED SOME DAY BUT RIGHT NOW I'M JUST TRYING TO FINISH IT.