Crownbound

For a thousand years, the Kingdom of Seravelle was ruled by a matriarch-each queen descended from the ancient royal matriline of Aurelthain. But a century ago, Seravelle fell to an invasion led by the eastern kingdom of Valdracor. Faced with overwhelming force, Queen Aurelia VI surrendered her crown in exchange for her people's safety. Her only condition is that the new ruler-and every ruler after him-must take an empress solely from the bloodline of Aurelthain.

Thus, a pact was forged-binding the throne of Valdracor to the queens of Seravelle. The two kingdoms merged, becoming the Kingdom of Valdravelle. Should any king break this pact, the wrath of Aurelthain would fall upon him.

It is because of this pact that I, Celestia Catherine Aurelthain the First, was forced into three marriages during my reign:

First, to a man old enough to be my father, who treated me like a daughter.

Second, to a mad king, with whom I bore a son who never lived to see peace.

And third, to a rebel prince-my enemy, my savior-who overthrew my second husband and crowned me not just Queen, but Empress.