In the Kingdom of Saltaire, where noble houses eat their young behind closed doors and a title is a weapon sharper than any blade, the Crown Princess Violet has been branded a monster. Rumors trail her like funeral veils — poisoner, puppet-master, the unhinged daughter of a forgotten queen, a threat to be eliminated before she ever sits the throne.

Hazel Eschester is the empire's favorite hostage, sent to Saltaire to act as a "friend" to the princess while everyone knows the truth: she's there to spy, groom, and destroy Violet from the inside. When her father's rebellion threatens to crush the royal family for good, Hazel uncovers the truth no dossier ever contained. Violet isn't mad — she's desperate. The kingdom devours her piece by piece, and the villain everyone fears is actually the only one fighting to keep it from collapsing. Falling for a princess who's been condemned to die as a tyrant isn't just political suicide. It's the moment Hazel realizes she won't be writing Violet's tragedy — she'll be burning the kingdom down to prevent it.

Also known as: 제비꽃, The Violet, The Villainous Violet.