Chapter 1 - Preparation

Emilia watched the prince fix his attention on the mystery woman who swept into the ballroom, beautiful and pure beyond compare. He hadn't looked at any other woman in the room with more than a detached politeness.

She glanced down at the bones poking out of her wrists wondering how many days her mother would starve her this time. Every failure meant another punishment. After all, what good was a young woman who couldn't secure even one suitor?