The Caged Rose
Introduction
In the empire of Velanthis, loyalty is measured in blood.
And for the daughter of a rebellious duke, obedience is her only way to survive.
Evelyne Astoria never believed her life would end at the foot of a throne—offered like a lamb to a king they call the Velanthis Tyrant.
King Kaelith Ravenhart rules with fear. He kills without hesitation. But when his enemies bow to him and offer Evelyne as a gift, he does something no one expects—
He claims her as his bride.
Now trapped within the marble walls of the royal palace, Evelyne must play the perfect queen… while hiding her mind, her strength, and the magic secretly carved into her soul
But the king is watching. And he’s not just interested in her body or her silence.
He wants to break her.
Or fall with her.
A kiss that feels like war.
A touch that feels like betrayal.
A love that could shatter the kingdom.
He is the tyrant king.
She is the rose with thorns.
And their love could save—or destroy—an empire.
Evelyne Astoria
Our Female lead
Daughter of Duke Astoria. Graceful, obedient—but only on the outside. Intelligent and emotionally resilient, she quickly learns that silence can be the sharpest weapon. Gifted with a secret power hidden inside her, Evelyne walks the line between being queen… or curse.
King Kaelith Ravenhart
our male lead
The feared ruler of Velanthis. Cold, calculated, and deeply alone. His past is buried in war and betrayal. Everyone obeys him—or dies. But something about Evelyne unnerves him. And that makes her dangerous.
Chapter 1: The King’s New Bride
The air in the royal court was sharp with silence.
Marble pillars towered high above, laced with crimson banners bearing the crest of the Ravenhart dynasty — a crown pierced by a black rose.
Nobles stood in rows, their expressions tight, knowing full well what it meant to be summoned so suddenly to the throne room.
And at the heart of it all sat King Kaelith Ravenhart, the monarch who built his throne with blood and fear.
Eyes as cold as obsidian. A jaw clenched with quiet fury. His fingers tapped slowly on the armrest of the throne — an unspoken warning.
Before him, on his knees, Duke Astoria—trembling
King Kaelith Ravenhart
(calm but deadly):
💬 “You dare withhold taxes. Refuse soldiers. Send whispers to my enemies.”
Duke Astoria
(stammering):
💬 “Y-Your Majesty… I have wronged you. Please accept this token of loyalty…”
He raised his hand, signaling behind him.
And then, she appeared.
Evelyne Astoria, dressed in soft blue silk, stepped forward. Her steps were quiet, her head bowed, yet her back remained straight.
The court turned to her. Some in pity. Some in envy.
She did not look up. She did not speak. She simply stood before the king—a flower in a lion’s den.
Evelyne Astoria
🖤 (“This was Father’s solution. Offer me like coin. A daughter for a pardon.”)
🖤 (“I knew my place in this court… and it was not beside the throne.”)
Kaelith stared. Long and unreadable.
Then, he slowly stood, black robes flowing like storm clouds.
The nobles stiffened. The Duke flinched.
Kaelith descended the stairs. Step. By step. By step.
He came
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “Is this what loyalty looks like, Duke Astoria? A lamb in lace?”
Duke Astoria
💬 “She is untouched. Educated. Meek. The perfect consort, Your Majesty.”
A flicker passed through Kaelith’s eyes—something dark, something amused.
He tilted Evelyne’s chin up with a gloved finger.
King Kaelith Ravenhart
(softly, only to her):
💬 “And what say you, little dove? Do you come willingly?”
Evelyne Astoria
🖤 (His touch burned. Cold through the glove, yet burning underneath. I did not move.)
🖤 (Say no, Evelyne. Say something. But my lips would not open.)
Evelyne Astoria
💬 “My will is no longer mine.”
A pause.
Then he smiled. A cruel, dangerous smile.
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “Then let it be known—this girl is no longer the Duke’s daughter.”
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “She is mine.”
He took Evelyne’s hand and raised it to his lips.
The kiss was ceremonial… and yet anything but.
It lingered. Claimed.
Evelyne’s eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t pull away.
Evelyne Astoria
🖤 (“A monster… that’s what they call him. But why do his eyes look so tired?”)
🖤 (“What lies beneath that cruelty?”)
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “We marry in three days. Any objections… will be silenced.”
The court bowed in unison—forced and afraid.
Later, in the palace garden...
Evelyne sat alone on a marble bench, hands trembling just slightly.
Lady Elira, daughter of a powerful noble, approached with a mocking smile.
Lady Elira Vayne
💬 “So… you’ll be queen now. What’s it like being fed to a lion?”
Evelyne Astoria
💬 “Lions don’t kill what they find interesting.”
Elira’s brow lifted, amused.
Lady Elira Vayne
💬 “He won’t devour you on day one. Maybe day three. That’s when the wedding night happens.”
Evelyne flinched, but only inwardly.
Evelyne Astoria
🖤 (“I’m not afraid of him touching me. I’m afraid of what I might feel when he does.”)
That night, in Kaelith’s private chamber…
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “She didn’t beg. Didn’t cry.”
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “That makes her dangerous.”
He poured a glass of wine, staring into the firelight.
King Kaelith Ravenhart
🖤 (“Why did her voice echo in my chest like a bell I thought broken?”)
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “Pretty little dove… What secrets do you hide?
Chapter 2: The Bride in Chains
The palace bells tolled thrice—deep and cold.
The kingdom of Velanthis stood still.
Today, the tyrant king would take a bride.
But behind the silk veils and silver rings, there was no love.
Only duty. Power. And a girl who wore white like a funeral dress.
Evelyne’s chamber – Morning of the wedding
Feathers floated from the canopy above her as maids moved quietly around her.
Nysa
💬 “Hold still, my lady… the sacred veil must rest just below the crown of your head.”
Evelyne sat before the mirror, dressed in a gown of ivory silk and lavender embroidery. The veil shimmered like moonlight, held in place by delicate pins.
Her hands trembled only slightly.
Evelyne Astoria
🖤 (“This isn’t just fabric. It’s a cage.”)
🖤 (“And once the vows are said… I belong to him.”)
Nysa
💬 “You don’t have to hide how you feel.”
Evelyne Astoria
💬 “There’s no place for feelings in a royal wedding.”
Nysa
💬 “Still… I wish he could see you now. You look—”
A knock interrupted them.
Outside the room: Duke Astoria
The door opened to reveal Evelyne’s father, cloaked in dark blue and silver. His face was unreadable.
Duke Astoria
💬 “Leave us.”
Nysa bowed and stepped out.
Evelyne stood, unsure whether to speak.
Duke Astoria
💬 “You will walk into that cathedral like an Astoria. Proud. Silent. Obedient.”
Evelyne Astoria
💬 “Am I still your daughter?”
Duke Astoria
💬 “No. You are the king’s now.”
Evelyne Astoria
🖤 (“Even if I scream… no one will hear me here.”)
🖤 (So I’ll stay silent. Until I learn how to make them listen.)
Elsewhere… from the high balcony of the tower chamber, Kaelith watched her window.
The king said nothing as his cloak caught in the breeze.
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “She’s calm. Too calm.”
King Kaelith Ravenhart
💬 “Does she not fear me… or does she hide it better than the others?”
He turned away from the window, clenching his jaw.
King Kaelith Ravenhart
🖤 (“This is a mistake. A distraction. I should end it before it begins.”)
🖤 (So why can’t I look away?”)
Cathedral of Obsidian – Moments before the ceremony
Evelyne stood alone at the grand doors.
Velvet runners. Cold marble. A hundred watchful eyes beyond those doors.
Nysa
(whispering as she fastens Evelyne’s necklace):
💬 “Your hands are cold.”
Evelyne Astoria
💬 “I’m marrying a man colder than death.”
Nysa
💬 “Then perhaps you’ll melt him.”
Evelyne Astoria
🖤 (“Or be buried by him.”)
Trumpets began. The doors creaked open.
The kingdom waited.
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