From Shadow to Crown

Melissa’s secret—that she had lived as a man for fifteen years—was uncovered by accident, stumbled upon by Paul, the young marquis.

He snatched up the linen binder that had slipped from her chest, turning away in a flustered rush as he thrust it back toward her. “Brother Melissa… No, Miss Melissa. You hid it so well… I nearly entered the monastery. But today, at last, I see my own heart.”

Watching the tips of his ears burn crimson, Melissa laid her own heart bare. “The torment of longing… has been my constant companion as well.”

With that delicate pretense stripped away, Paul could no longer hold back his devotion.

At the Academy, when a young noble sneered at Melissa as an “effete bookworm,” Paul cut out the man’s tongue—an act for which the Old Marquis broke his son’s leg.

When Minister Oliver harassed her drunkenly at a banquet, Paul stabbed him in the groin right there in the hall. Three days later, he submitted evidence of Oliver’s corruption. Oliver’s entire household—thirty-two souls—were executed without delay.

On the day of the execution, Paul galloped the length of the Capital’s main avenue, Oliver’s bloody head mounted upon his lance, a warning to every noble family:

“Anyone who touches Melissa will share this fate.”

To guard her secret, Paul became her near-constant shadow.

She loved dessert soups, so he compelled Janet’s Sweet Shop to invent a new flavor daily, fetching each one himself.

On her birthday, she wore the maiden’s dress he had given her—for the first time.

Before the bronze mirror, the gown was fastened, then torn away—and with it, her innocence, given freely to him.

After that night, Melissa resolved to abandon the Imperial Examinations fifteen days later. She would reclaim her identity as a woman and become his wife.

But when she went to find him, Caleb’s excited exclamation stopped her cold:

“We’ve all misunderstood Paul! He actually has a woman he likes!”

Academy classmates crowded around. “Really? Whose daughter could possibly catch his eye?”

Melissa’s heart hammered—had her secret been found out? Well, it would have to come out sooner or later anyway.

Just as she drew breath to confess, Caleb laughed loudly. “What daughter? It’s Janet, the girl who sells dessert soups on East Glory Street!”

All color drained from Melissa’s face.

She looked up to see Paul riding in on horseback, holding Janet tightly in his arms.

In full view of everyone, he swept Janet up and carried her into the Academy, laying her on Melissa’s own bed.

Facing Melissa’s stricken gaze, he spoke with detached calm.

“To pay for her sick mother’s medicine, she lost her stall and was sold to a brothel. She refused to take clients—was nearly beaten to death. If I hadn’t saved her, you’d never taste her sweet broth again.”

Gently, he brushed a tear from the corner of Janet’s eye, his voice softening.

“Bear with it fifteen days, Janet. Once I pass the Imperial Examinations, I’ll reopen your shop. The Academy