The Princess in the CEO’s Bride

Chapter One The Crown's Shadow The bells of Elaria rang thirteen times. Princess Aria Valen stood before the enormous mirror in her chambers, watching her reflection as servants fastened the final pieces of her ceremonial gown. Tonight, the entire kingdom would gather inside the royal palace. Tonight, she was expected to smile. Aria hated smiling when she had no reason to. Your Highness, please hold still. Aria's eyes narrowed at the servant struggling with the silver clasp around her waist. I have been holding still for the last ten minutes. The young servant immediately lowered her head. My apologies, Princess.”l Aria sighed. She hadn't meant to frighten her. That was another thing people misunderstood about her. They saw a princess who carried a sword, spoke her mind, and rarely backed down. They assumed she enjoyed making people afraid. She didn't. She simply refused to pretend. A knock sounded at the door. Before anyone could answer, Lady Selene stepped inside. My princess. Aria turned. Selene's usual playful expression was gone. That alone made Aria's stomach tighten. What happened? Selene glanced at the servants. Leave us. The servants bowed and hurried out. Once the doors closed, Aria folded her arms. Now tell me. Selene approached slowly. There are men inside the palace who shouldn't be here. Aria's expression hardened. Who? I don't know their names. They aren't wearing the colors of any noble house. But I saw three of them near the western corridor. Aria reached for the dagger hidden beneath her gown. Did they see you? No. Good. She walked toward the window. Below, thousands of lanterns illuminated the palace gardens. Nobles were arriving for the Moon Ceremony, one of Elaria's oldest traditions. Everything looked beautiful. Perfect. Too perfect. Where is the king? Aria asked. Council chamber. Then we're going there. Selene caught her arm. Aria. Aria looked back. You can't simply walk into the council chamber carrying a dagger. Aria raised an eyebrow. Why not? “Because you're wearing a gown.” And? And gowns are not exactly designed for sword fights. A faint smile finally touched Aria's lips. Then I suppose I'll have to be creative. Before Selene could respond, a horn sounded from the courtyard. The royal procession had arrived. King Kael was returning. Aria's smile disappeared. For reasons she couldn't explain, the sound of his arrival always made her heart beat differently. She hated that. Their marriage had been arranged three years ago to unite two powerful houses. Kael had never been cruel to her. He had never humiliated her. He had never treated her as though she were less than him. But he was distant. Always controlled. Always unreadable. And Aria had long ago convinced herself that the king simply didn't care for her. She turned toward the door. Come. Selene followed. But before Aria could leave, she noticed something on the floor. A small black object. She bent down and picked it up. It was a ring. A strange symbol had been carved into its surface—a crescent moon wrapped around a single eye. Aria's fingers tightened around it. She had seen that symbol before. In an old book hidden inside the royal library. A book her mother had forbidden her from ever opening. Her blood ran cold. Selene… Yes? Aria stared at the symbol. Find out who this belongs to. Selene's face paled. And if you can't? Aria slipped the ring into her sleeve. Then we'll find out who is trying to enter my kingdom. Outside, the bells began ringing again. But this time, Aria didn't hear thirteen bells. She heard a warning. Somewhere in the palace, someone was already preparing for war. And Aria had a terrible feeling that the first person they intended to destroy… was her.