Yzarai buried her mother, her father, and the grandmother who raised her in their place—all before she turned six. By sixteen, she'd survived more assassination attempts than birthdays, kept alive only because her brother wore the crown he wasn't supposed to inherit, and spent it protecting her instead of ruling. He gave her a ball. One chance to choose her own fate. She chose to run. She made it as far as a carriage and a blade in broad daylight before Tian caught her—a prince with no reason to save a stranger, and no intention of leaving once he had. Her brother begged him to protect her at any cost. Tian agreed, not knowing the cost would be his own heart. For six months, she told him to leave. For six months, he stayed anyway, until the girl who trusted no one let him stay, too. She should have known better than to let herself be loved by someone she'd have to leave behind. Some fates aren't chosen. Some are paid for.