Presently in 1788.
Now at twenty-seven years old, Kindness is managing her step-family's flower shop in the town. She overheard the Crown Prince of Italy was hosting two grand balls at the palace. She informed her step-family about the exciting news. Her step sisters, Pearl and Cassandra criticised her; that the prince would have no interest in a maid but she didn't let it bother. For the prince was that last thing on her mind. While shopping, she peeped through the dress shops' windowpane and noticed her step sisters were fighting over a scarf as she laughed. Kindness leaned back against the alley's wall and grabbed an apple from the bag of groceries. She enjoyed the fruit. Until she overheard a commotion of gamblers hollering. They were chasing an Asian-Italian young man dressed in a black long sleeve shirt paired with navy pants and boots.
Apparently, he had cheated the men and ran away with their money. Kindness watched the young man jumped across the royals' carriage bumping into her. She yelled falling backwards onto the alley's ground with all the stuff in her hands scattered. He quickly maneuvered himself beneath her cushioning her fall. Her lips pressed against his as her eyes widened about to panic into a scream. The young man who was the Rebellious and Notorious Crown Prince of Italy, Prince Tristan, disguised as a commoner pulled her face closer and kissed her. He admired her non-lady-like manners and boldness. It triggered his heart's curiosity. Because of their awkward encounter, their intentions to escape from reality gave themselves a mutual understanding of each other wanting freedom, action and adventure. Despite their struggles and sorrowful moments, Kindness's faith in God and Prince Tristan's determination for love changed their fates.
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.
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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 :)