"You think you know the rules, Miss Blues," Dominic murmured, his gaze never wavering. "But in my world, the rules change the moment you step onto the board." ********* In the gilded corridors of Lexingham Palace, ambition is currency and trust is a dangerous luxury. Anastasia Blues, a brilliant strategist with a mysterious past, has clawed her way into the heart of the British court as advisor to Damien, the newly discovered royal heir with everything to prove and everything to lose. Together, they must navigate a world where every word is watched and every alliance could be a trap. But their greatest threat comes not from outside, but from within: Dominic Blackwood, the enigmatic and ruthless High Chancellor, whose icy composure masks motives no one can quite decipher. As tensions mount and loyalties are tested, Anastasia finds herself caught between two powerful men; one who needs her, and one who wants her for reasons that run far deeper than politics. When a single act of defiance at a high-profile summit sets off a chain of events, the fragile balance of power shatters. Betrayal, desire, and ambition collide, forcing Anastasia to make impossible choices as she's drawn ever deeper into Dominic's dangerous world. R-Rated content. 18+ This story is meant for mature viewers only. Viewer's discretion is adviced.