Sometimes the greatest magic is believing you deserve love.

Emperor Torric Deveras refuses to make a loveless marriage, defying his counselors to host a five-day celebration where he'll choose his Empress from among all the marriageable women in his kingdom.

Ashara Millende should be a noblewoman, but her scheming stepmother stole her inheritance, leaving her a servant in what should have been her own home. She dreams of escape and finding someone who will love her for who she truly is — but attending the Emperor's festivities seems impossible.

When a mysterious woman appears offering Ashara the chance to win her heart's desire, she must decide if she's bold enough to reach for a love that seems far beyond her station. In a world where royal intrigue and familial deceit threaten at every turn, will Ashara discover that the greatest transformation comes not from magic, but from believing she deserves her happily ever after?