Osmund is the sole male heir to the Kingdom of Valcrest.
Sensitive, timid, and with no royal aptitude, he’s a constant disappointment to his merciless father. 

Cemil is the fourth son of the Meskato Emperor.
Intelligent, charming, and capable, he’s everything his people could want from their potential future sovereign. 

When Osmund’s home is seized by an usurper, he’s forced to escape across the sea—and winds up an anonymous servant in Cemil’s household, minding the horses. His new life feels like something out of his favorite romance novels…right down to the handsome prince taking an improbable interest in his new stablehand!

But as Osmund grows closer to Cemil’s heart (and to his most carefully guarded secret), a terrifying magical plot emerges from the Empire’s fraternal power struggle, threatening both their shared home and their budding relationship. Besides riding, Osmund’s never been good at anything in his entire life. How can someone like him hope to keep strong, brave, seemingly flawless Cemil safe?