In a kingdom where nobles wear enchanted masks that define their roles and status, the protagonist-a commoner with the rare ability to craft living masks-becomes entangled in palace intrigue when they are commissioned to create a mask for a reclusive prince cursed never to see sunlight. As the protagonist works on the mask, they uncover a hidden world of magic, betrayal, and a growing bond with the prince. Their love becomes the key to breaking the curse, but doing so could destabilize the entire kingdom. Together, they must navigate a treacherous path where one wrong move could mean losing not just their love, but their lives.
The sun was setting over the kingdom of Veloria, casting a warm, amber glow over the royal gardens. Lyra knelt among the delicate petals of the moonlit roses, her fingers brushing lightly over the soft blooms. The evening air was filled with the sweet scent of jasmine and the earthy fragrance of the garden's hidden treasures. It was here, in this secluded place, that Lyra felt most at peace-where time seemed to pause, and the world outside the walls of the castle faded into the distance.
Lyra was the castle's healer, though most of her work was confined to tending the plants and flowers that flourished under her care. There was something magical about these gardens-something that had always felt more alive than the rest of the kingdom. The roses, in particular, were said to have healing properties, their petals capable of soothing even the most broken of spirits.
As she worked, her mind wandered to the stories she had heard since childhood-stories about Prince Caelan, the cursed heir to the throne. The tale was well-known across the kingdom, whispered from servant to servant, from mother to child. It was said that the prince had been cursed by a vengeful sorcerer, doomed to live a life in torment. By day, he was a statue of stone, motionless, trapped in the form of an inanimate figure. Only by night, when the stars rose high above the castle, did he regain his human form. But even then, his curse lingered, for he was bound to wear an enchanted mask, hiding his face from the world.
Lyra had never seen the prince herself, only heard the rumors-the darkened tales of his isolation and sorrow. Some said he was a monster. Others claimed he was a victim of a cruel fate. But Lyra couldn't help but feel a flicker of compassion for him. What must it be like to live a life so separated from others, to never know the warmth of another's touch?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft crunch of footsteps on the gravel path. She stood up and turned, seeing one of the castle servants approaching her with an air of urgency.
"The royal banquet is to begin soon, Mistress Lyra," the servant said, her voice laced with nervousness. "The prince will be in attendance tonight. It's... it's his rare appearance."
Lyra's heart skipped a beat. Tonight. She had heard of these gatherings-the few times a year when Prince Caelan was allowed to leave his chambers, when he made an appearance before the court. But despite the excitement that surrounded his rare visits, there was always an underlying tension. The prince never spoke. He never removed his mask. It was said that the mask was a reminder of the curse, an object of both power and torment.
"I see," Lyra murmured, her gaze drifting back to the moonlit garden. Her mind raced. Perhaps tonight she would finally understand the prince's curse. Perhaps, for the first time, she would see the man behind the mask.
Later that evening, the grand hall was alive with the hum of conversation and the clinking of silver goblets. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and the sweet aroma of roasted meats. Lyra stood by the far corner, unnoticed amidst the nobility, her dark dress blending into the shadows. She had no desire to mingle with the courtly crowd-her heart was focused elsewhere, on the figure who had just entered the room.
Prince Caelan stood at the entrance of the hall, his presence commanding the attention of all who saw him. He was a tall man, broad-shouldered and regal, with an air of quiet strength that seemed to radiate from him despite the mask that obscured his features. The mask was a work of exquisite craftsmanship-its golden surface gleaming in the candlelight, intricate patterns etched across it, as though it held secrets within its design. It was said that the mask was enchanted, not just a symbol of his curse but a means of controlling the magic that kept him alive.
Lyra's breath caught in her throat as she watched him. His eyes-hidden behind the mask-seemed distant, haunted. He moved through the room with an eerie grace, but there was something about his presence that felt out of place. As if he were a stranger in his own skin.
She couldn't look away.
Prince Caelan paused before the royal dais, where his parents, the king and queen, sat in their regal seats. His mother's eyes were filled with sorrow as she regarded him, her hands clasped tightly together. His father, the king, gave a curt nod, though his expression was unreadable. The prince made no attempt to acknowledge either of them. Instead, he turned and began to make his way toward the center of the hall, his movements stiff and mechanical.
Lyra's heart ached at the sight. She knew the stories-knew that the prince could never remove the mask, never show his true face. But standing there in the dim light, she saw something more: a man imprisoned by his own curse, a soul lost in the shadow of a terrible fate.
As he passed close to her, Lyra's breath caught in her throat. She glanced at him, her gaze lingering just a moment too long. And in that fleeting instant, she saw something flicker behind the mask-something raw, something human. It was a look of such deep, unspoken pain that it left her breathless.
For a moment, time stood still.
Later that night, as the banquet wore on, Lyra found herself restless. She excused herself from the hall, retreating to the quiet solitude of the garden. The cool night air felt like a balm against her flushed skin, and she inhaled deeply, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind.
What had she seen in his eyes? What had the prince felt in that moment?
And what could she possibly do to help him?
As she walked through the moonlit garden, her eyes were drawn to a small, intricately carved box nestled among the roots of the ancient oak tree. It was a relic she had seen before-an artifact passed down through the royal family, a symbol of the prince's curse. She knelt down, her fingers tracing the smooth wood. The box contained a mask, one of many enchanted items connected to the prince's fate.
Her heart pounded as a sudden thought struck her. Could this mask hold the key to breaking the curse? Could the artifact she had found in the garden be the one thing that could set Caelan free?
With a sense of purpose she had never felt before, Lyra rose to her feet, clutching the mask tightly. There was only one way to find out.
A prince cursed to turn into stone by day falls for a gardener tending the magical roses in his castle grounds. Together, they seek the key to breaking the curse before it's too late
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."