After a turbulent succession crisis, the dust reluctantly settles: Queen Katherine is to rule Ilworth and Otterdon Island. She does not just inherit the crown and the responsibility for her people, but instead she earns herself a spot in an insidious political climate that nobody could have prepared her for. Katherine is a spirited and charming young woman, who is catapulted by force into a treacherous world of scandals, assassination attempts, murder plots, and lurking rivals posing as allies, though she is not unarmed in this game. She is spun not just into the volatile web of a political rival, but threatens to be destabilised by cunning advisers, foreign influences, and her closest favourites and confidantes. Kingdoms around her begin to fall, independence factions rise, war is declared, and heads begin to roll. Will Katherine be able to keep hers? Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge Posting weekly on Sundays! What to expect ▾ Court intrigue with complex political landscape spanning multiple fictional countries and dynasties each with a fleshed-out culture and history▾ Chaotic cast of characters with strongly opposing goals▾ A very long journey with countless twists and turns▾ Whirlwind romances and slow-burns▾ Lots of banter!▾ Occasional, not explicitly described violence (I'll always put an author's note before chapters that have violence!) and down the line, some sexual content likely just reserved for a chapter or two. I will definitely put a CW up by then!