Having rescued her people in the eastern territories and thwarted another plot to undermine Armelia, Iris throws herself back into the work of governing her duchy. It's only through work that she can make herself forget her growing feelings for Dean, but she can't avoid thoughts of marriage forever. A foreign prince has come to the duchy seeking an alliance--and Iris's hand to cement the deal. If Iris gives herself to the prince, she secures Armelia's future...and gives up her heart forever.