A princess's duty is to be beautiful, quiet, not loud, to be seen and not to be heard, which was how Dahlia lived most of her life. Bound by the expectations of her title, she spent years trying to prove to her father that she was more than just a princess and capable of being more than an ornament in his court but each time she never got the chance. Instead, she was forced into a marriage of convenience with the bravest knight in all the kingdom, Reagan Hawthorne.

Dahlia thought she would use this marriage to escape the brutal crutches of her father and glide out of her cage but Reagan’s cold disdain was an unexpected prison of its own. While he waged wars on distant lands, she stayed behind, holding his household together and protecting the people he seemed to ignore. But Dahlia carried a dangerous secret. By day, she was the perfect wife. By night, she became the "Black Knight," a masked vigilante fighting for justice in the shadows.

Reagan returned, ready to focus on his personal mission: avenging his father’s death. To him, Dahlia was just another pawn in his plans—a spoiled princess he needed to tolerate. But as cracks began to form in her perfect façade, Reagan couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to his wife than met the eye.

Now, with enemies circling closer and their secrets threatening to collide, Dahlia and Reagan must confront the lies they’ve told themselves and each other. But when masks fall and truths are revealed, will their fragile bond withstand the storm—or will it shatter beyond repair?

One wound. One secret. One night that changes everything.

The little grew pale at the response and she turned to stare at me with nothing but fear in her gaze. I stared at her with a wry smile on my face. She was probably scared for me but she didn't need to because I knew what was going to happen when I took her place. I just didn't think of the fact that the soldier would be a sadistic bastard.


"Hey." I wheezed out, "It's okay, just do what he wants. I'm okay, I promise."


The girl may be young but she wasn't stupid. She could tell everything I was saying about being fine was a lie. Besides, it was also obvious from the way I felt something trickle down my back. There was no doubt that my back was bleeding. I could sense it hot sticky trails sliding their way down my spine and soaking the waistband of my ragged garments. The cold air kissed each open welt as an insult to the comfort and I cringed despite myself.


Chapter 180 - Challenging The Authority