When her father dies, Perrette Dash is forced to accept the only job on offer: governess to the king's nieces and nephew. Her hope of making a good impression upon arriving at the palace end when she stumbles into the prince's masquerade ball, is mistaken for an eligible lady, and catches the eye of the prince.

Prince Emile-Leon is paying for his family's past mistakes. To settle a discontented and unruly kingdom, the youngest member of the royal family agrees to choose a court approved spouse.

As Emile-Leon finds himself failing at the one thing he was determined to do, marry to reinforce the crown's power, an old foe resurfaces, and using forbidden magic, seeks revenge against the entire royal family starting with him.