He Protected His Childhood Friend, Not His Princess Fiancée

I once believed mutual respect was the bare minimum in a political marriage.

My fiancé, Cassian Blackwell, Duke of Northmere, proved how foolish that belief was.

On the day of our engagement ceremony, his childhood sweetheart stole the necklace I had chosen and threatened me with the Blackwell protection crest he had personally given her.

I called Cassian and asked him to handle it.

He hung up before I could tell him who I was.

When he finally arrived, he ordered his guards to force me to my knees and gave her permission to do whatever she wanted. She slapped me, kicked me, and cut off my hair while Cassian watched without lifting a finger.

To him, I was nothing more than a bargaining piece my family had offered for an alliance.

What he didn’t know was that the Blackwells had surrendered three of their richest estates for the privilege of marrying me—or that my brother was the Crown Prince of Aurelia.

Ten minutes later, the royal guard sealed off the street.

Only then did Cassian realize the woman kneeling at his feet was Aurelia’s only princess—the bride his family had sacrificed everything to obtain.