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It has been seventeen years since the Asterian Revolution, and all eyes are on Princess Aria and the long expected royal wedding. Having grown up in a world of royalty and wealth, Aria has been unable to imagine anything less than perfect for her life. But when an indiscretion threatens to ruin her reputation, the princess finds herself cast into a world of scandal. As rumors and heartbreak threaten to destroy her, Aria journeys to a distant seaport and sets sail on a merchant ship, hoping the voyage will give her the freedom she craves. Though the ocean holds promises of adventure and intrigue, the world may be too small for a royal to truly disappear. With her family desperately searching the kingdoms for her, Aria finds herself surrounded by strangers and realizes that her brashness may have been a deadly mistake…
It has been seventeen years since the Asterian Revolution, and all eyes are on Princess Aria and the long expected royal wedding. Having grown up in a world of royalty and wealth, Aria has been unable to imagine anything less than perfect for her life. But when an indiscretion threatens to ruin her reputation, the princess finds herself cast into a world of scandal.
As rumors and heartbreak threaten to destroy her, Aria journeys to a distant seaport and sets sail on a merchant ship, hoping the voyage will give her the freedom she craves. Though the ocean holds promises of adventure and intrigue, the world may be too small for a royal to truly disappear. With her family desperately searching the kingdoms for her, Aria finds herself surrounded by strangers and realizes that her brashness may have been a deadly mistake…
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engagement official. The ring on my finger suddenly felt heavy as I thought of<br />
Juliette’s words. You don’t look at him the way Mother looks at Father. I<br />
shook the thought away. I was going to marry Thomas because we loved each<br />
other.<br />
"Lord Thomas!" Lydia said as she opened the door to leave. "I thought you<br />
were waiting with the royal family."<br />
"I was," I heard Thomas say, "I just wanted to see Aria for a moment."<br />
"Of course."<br />
He crossed through the parlor and stepped into my room as Lydia closed<br />
the door.<br />
"Aria," he said, a kind smile on his lips, "you look beautiful."<br />
"Thank you," I replied. Usually, I would have run to him and kissed him,<br />
but suddenly, I couldn’t. "Ethelyn," I said.<br />
Ethelyn bowed her head, acknowledging the dismissal, and left the room,<br />
but not before casting a dark look in Thomas’ direction.<br />
He clenched his jaw for a second and then walked over to me once there<br />
was a door between us and Ethelyn’s presence. "Aria, I’m sorry about last<br />
night. I don’t know what got into me. It was disrespectful, especially when<br />
from the beginning I have known your values. I can’t even begin to try and<br />
explain my actions because that is what they still were—mine."<br />
I looked into his gray eyes and saw that he was sincere. "I forgive you. I<br />
know you didn’t mean anything by it. It was a tiresome day, and we both had<br />
too much wine, I think."<br />
"But that’s no excuse," he said, taking my hand.<br />
I smiled and brushed my fingers over his cheek. "I forgive you, Thomas."<br />
I leaned in and gently kissed his lips. "Now, shall we go? I believe they are<br />
ready for us."<br />
Thomas gave me a crooked grin. "After you, Your Highness."<br />
<br />
Standing on the castle balcony and looking down at the hundreds of people<br />
filling the courtyard was thrilling. They cheered as my father announced my<br />
engagement to Thomas. My mother had said it would be something for the<br />
people of Asteria to celebrate, and it was indeed. The happiness of my people<br />
pushed aside any doubts I harbored about the marriage. Thomas and I would<br />
be perfect together, and we had the kingdom's blessing.<br />
17
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