Prince Nicholas has spent his entire life living beneath the weight of the crown. Bound by centuries of royal tradition, he is given one year to choose a bride—or risk throwing the future of the monarchy into chaos. As ambitious noble families fight to secure the throne, love is the last thing on his mind.Elena Carter is an ordinary history teacher with no royal blood, no wealth, and no desire to live under the spotlight. But one unexpected act of courage changes her life forever, thrusting her into the heart of the palace—and into the prince's world.As scandal, political conspiracies, jealous rivals, and dangerous secrets threaten the kingdom, Nicholas discovers that the woman least expected to wear the crown may be the only one worthy of it.But can love survive when an entire kingdom believes she should never have been chosen?Some crowns are inherited. Others are earned.