CROWN AND CHAOS

"You're hurting me." She said attempting to free her arm from his tight grip.

"Let go!" Her other hand swung down to strike his bare chest, but he swiftly caught it.

With a smile, he stood over her, gazing into her angry eyes. He held both of her arms, pulling her closer to him. His eyes lit up when she let out a small gasp.

"God, you're stunning."

"Princess Daphne's dearest friend", "The Charity Case", "A testament to the King and Queen's benevolence". Azura was well aware of her unremarkable existence, and she carried the weight of her supposed burden without complaint. Plain and ordinary, she neither shared Daphne's passion for literature nor harbored any desire for adventure.

However, the course of her life changed on her 18th birthday. Suddenly, she found herself burdened with the task of accompanying Daphne to her enthronement by King Efros, the son of the man their kingdom had been at war with for years-the same man responsible for her parents' demise. Now vested with the power of the crest, she embarked on a journey to seek the King, unveiling an unexpected secret and experiencing a surprising affection from her best friend's betrothed.