RED SPADE

Danica of Spades is the ninth daughter of the emperor. She is a bastard, a girl that cannot exceed the throne because of her mother's status, making her status equal to a housekeeper. Danica is common, and unattractive in the midst of her beautiful sisters, the products of fair court ladies. In the land where beauty is valued more than anything else, Danica has no chance of a future.

When the emperor's daughters disappear from their beds with only a pair of worn out dancing shoes, Danica is astonished to find herself crowned princess, after years of hatred and poor treatment. But miracles come with prices, and with no friends in high places and a peasant's features, Danica plays out the dangerous charade of being princess.

Agreeing to become the pawn of the court of spades, Danica dwells in the deep and ugly secrets of the seemingly perfect court.

And the truth of the eleven peculiar disappearances.