“What does duty mean to you?” Shackled by the Empire’s last flickering breath, the Princess is smitten by a hotshot rookie commander. Duty-bound, both of them learn to lead . . . together, or apart. ✧ Lay down the humble crown, fight the war and kill the dove. The Old Golems only frown upon the ones who cannot love. ✧ Princess May thought the crown never fit her – she was too clumsy, too frail, too immature. But when a traitor kidnaps her only sister, she must leave the polished palace and chase a spy through the Empire’s darkest shadows. Yjennka forged the start of his legendary military career, catching royal attention like a crack of thunder. Rising through the ranks, the Princess took him in as a top-tier bodyguard. But behind the accolades and Guard status, he must carry the weight of every soul lost under his command. With secrets, scars, and the spy hunt unravelled, the duo’s paths intertwine. Together, they’ll learn how leadership binds them together – or tears them apart . . . — A low fantasy story set in an alternative medieval-gunpowder mix era. Slow burn romance, court thriller mystery, existential philosophy, military strategy, and just good ol’ fantasy action/slice of life. Trigger warnings of violence, warfare, moral ambiguity, heavy romance.