The Crown PrinceA Princess of Cinders & Secrets Short Story

Meet the prince desperate to know Ella's heart.

Prince Theodore carries the weight of the kingdom on his shoulders. As the future heir, his path is fraught with duties to fulfill, nobles to appease, and a high-profile marriage he is expected to accept without question. Yet beneath the crown lies a quiet longing for something more.

Then a humming chambermaid catches his eye. She is gentle, unassuming, and completely unlike the courtly world he inhabits. In her presence, Theodore finds a brief respite from the grief of losing his elder sister, a wound he has never fully learned to live with. Soon enough, he finds himself wondering about her, dreaming about her, hoping to one day cross the social distance between them so he can at least say hello.

When an accidental encounter grants him that chance, Theodore’s carefully planned future begins to unravel. Torn between duty and desire, he must decide whether a life ruled by obligation is enough, or whether honoring his heart might be the bravest act of all.

This prequel short story to Princess of Cinders & Secrets tells the story of how Teddy first fell in love with servant girl—a girl who would go on to change his world forever.