Sword of the Court

She puts her fist to her heart, without thinking, forgetting she's in a ladies garment and kneels before him, head bowed. "I would do anything for you my Lord, you must know that."

His smile is easy, she can hear it in his voice. "Then, fair lady, why don't you kiss me?"

~
Nakano was nothing before she was rescued by the man she calls father. Raised side by side with the eighth prince of the provinces, she is meant to protect him at all costs, even her own life.
So she does, no matter the consequences, she has served her Master diligently and without question through all his endeavors and ambitions.

War nearly took them from each other, but they finally make it to the top.

Now, he is Emperor, destined to change their realm. And she - she fades in the background, still meant to protect him from the shadows.
The honor is immense. She could not, should not, wish for more.

Until a secret organization comes to light, they're plotting schemes in the dark that drip of poison and deceit. There is no one the Emperor can trust now besides his loyal shadow. So trust her he shall.

Nakano is swept away from the shadows, and thrust into a world of light and silken colors, but - she soon finds, the bright faced women and laughing men of the emperors' court are no less dangerous in broad day light than the assassins in the dark.

She must become a lady of the court and mold into society to unravel the schemes of those who wish to harm his Majesty and along the way discover herself and a secret of her true family name or - like everything else - die trying.