With no other options to survive, I disguised myself as a man and to my surprise, became temporary Squire to the nineteen-year-old Prince of Crasmere, Heir to the Braeyork Dominion.
 

He knew not that I was a but year older than him, and that beneath my heavy wool uniform lurked the raw passion of a fiercely loyal maiden – a woman who could more than fulfill his fantasies of romantic love. 
 

But alas, I was not as naive as the Prince. 
 

I had lost both my parents to the Vaelar King, leader of the horned bear creatures raising an army to take the throne. I had become a survivor, and, disguised as a man, found opportunities and respect denied to the woman of Braeyork.
 

Still, dressing the handsome muscular Prince every morning and becoming his most trusted companion after the death of his father the King - I grew conflicted with my deception. 
 

I was not as strong as I imagined. My body ached with desire and sleepless nights of unfulfilled longing.
 

And today was the final straw. I was to advise the Prince of whom among four of the Dominion’s most desirable maidens he should choose to become his wife. 
 

It seems I had deceived everyone, including myself.