A kingdom of broken promises

As a "Null," Elara is condemned to the grueling obsidian mines, siphoning raw mana for the elite while enduring the brand of the powerless. But the kingdom’s stability is a lie, and the King’s promises are hollow. When the Veritas Trials—a lethal, televised tournament designed to crown the next Queen—suddenly selects Elara as a wildcard contestant, the world watches, expecting her to be the first to die.They couldn't be more wrong.In the heat of the first trial, Elara discovers a terrifying truth: she isn't empty. She is a Void. She doesn't possess magic; she consumes it. By dampening the abilities of her rivals and siphoning their strength, Elara becomes the most dangerous predator in the arena.But survival comes at a price. To navigate the political minefield of the court and the deadly traps of the Labyrinth, she must strike a bargain with the man she hates most: Prince Kaelen. Known as the "Butcher of the North," Kaelen is a morally gray tactician with a shadow-touched heart and a blood-stained reputation. He needs Elara’s unique ability to dismantle his father’s corrupt regime; she needs his lethal expertise to stay alive.The Stakes• The Romance: Bound by forced proximity and mutual necessity, the friction between Elara and Kaelen ignites into a searing, forbidden passion. But in a court of vipers, trust is a death sentence.• The Cost of Power: Elara soon realizes that stealing magic is like drinking poison. Every bit of power she siphons is slowly corroding her soul, and the very magic she uses to survive is the thing that will eventually kill her.• The Ultimate Betrayal: Just as Elara begins to believe Kaelen’s feelings are real, she uncovers his true endgame. He isn't just trying to save the kingdom; he's using her as a weapon to seize the throne for himself, making her a pawn in a game she thought they were playing together.When the final trial demands a blood sacrifice, Elara faces an impossible choice: give her life to break the cycle of tyranny, or embrace her role as the villain and burn the Kingdom of Broken Promises to the ground.