17 parts Ongoing MatureThere are roles a princess can never abandon.
A princess does not obey anyone but the King and Queen.
A princess does not lie.
A princess does not run from the crown that was stitched into her skin at birth.
And yet... I did.
They taught me how to bow before they ever taught me how to speak.
How to smile with my mouth shut.
How to bleed beautifully.
Rules.
Etiquette.
Sacrifice.
I wore them all like second skin-until the day I tore them off and disappeared.
My name is Arabelle Montclair Winthorne Ravenshed.
Firstborn of House Ravenshed.
The Heir.
The Shame.
The Ghost.
I've lived a dozen lives since I fled the palace.
I've scrubbed counters, lied about my name, buried parts of myself so deep I almost forgot they ever existed.
Until he found me.
Not with a crown. Not with a sword.
With eyes that looked too long.
With hands that held too tight.
With a voice that said I see you when I couldn't bear to be seen.
Now I live in a stranger's mansion.
And the walls are starting to close in.