We Were Close, Yet Miles Apart (Part #1)

For seven hundred years, the Carsen Empire stood untouchable—a dynasty carved in war, forged in blood, and ruled by the vision of a single Delecto K. Carsen. He did the impossible—ended a decade of war without staining his hands with innocent blood. His empire thrived. Until now.
Until everything collapsed.
The Northern Duke and Duchess—dead. Their son, Alex Luxembourg—seventeen, unprepared, and drowning in a kingdom that no longer respects him. His father’s land? Starving. Rotting. On the verge of rebellion. His enemies? Laughing. Waiting. Circling like vultures.
Then comes the final blow.
Bandits attack. Supplies vanish. Famine tightens its grip. The people cry out, and Alex reaches for the Emperor’s aid—only to watch it be stolen before his very eyes. This is no ordinary raid. Someone from within is feeding the enemy. A noble. A traitor. A snake in silk robes.
And now, the Emperor speaks.
Fix this. Or be erased from history. The solution? Marriage.
A bond between Alex and Maria Morgan, the daughter of the most dangerous man in the empire. A deal that shackles Alex to a future he never wanted, with a woman he cannot trust. Is she a savior or a spy? A pawn, or a queen waiting to strike?
The game is set.
The court is filled with smiling assassins. The empire holds its breath.
Now, Alex must do the impossible—outwit the wolves, find the traitor, save his people… and survive the throne that was never meant to be his.
Because in the Carsen Empire, power isn’t given. It’s taken.
And if Alex isn’t careful, he won’t just lose his land. He’ll lose his life.