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 is my family’s estate. Stay here.”

Examinees here shared rooms, two to a chamber.

Melissa, owing to her fastidious nature, had been granted a single room—a special favor from Paul.

But now, his eyes held only pity for Janet. He had forgotten her entirely.

Forcing her voice steady, Melissa asked, trembling, “If she’s in my bed, where do I sleep?”

Paul looked blank. He truly hadn’t thought that far.

Brian from the next room spoke up. “I have an empty cot. Would you make do, Brother Melissa?”

Paul glanced at Brian, then said softly to Melissa, “He’s harmless—cares only for his books. You’ll be safe.”

Melissa swayed. Before she could refuse, Paul, citing Janet’s need to change, ushered everyone out.

Inside, Brian buried himself in his books, never glancing her way.

Melissa lay down fully clothed, her mind replaying Paul holding Janet tightly on the horse.

He had once said that place on his saddle was reserved for her. That once she lived as a woman again, he would take her riding across every corner of the Capital.

Knowing her fastidiousness, he’d had her bedding changed daily. No one entered her room except the cleaners.

But now, all these privileges were yielded to Janet.

Perhaps even he hadn’t realized it yet—his heart had already leaned toward that delicate, soft-spoken girl.

Something clenched tight in Melissa’s chest, a pain so sharp it stole sleep.

In her half-conscious daze, a sudden weight crushed down—Brian had thrown himself heavily atop her!

He chuckled lowly, his voice a leer. “I’ve known you were a woman for a while. Since Brother Paul is done with you… why not let me…”

His hands went straight for her chest, eyes devouring her.

Panicked, Melissa fumbled under her pillow, found the dagger, and stabbed upward with all her strength!

A scream tore through the night. The courtyard soon blazed with candlelight.

Paul, seeing Brian’s hand half-severed, stared in shock before turning furious eyes on Melissa, still clutching the bloody dagger. “What happened?”

“He…” Her voice failed. How to explain? Admit she was a woman, that Brian had nearly violated her, and ruin her own reputation?

In the chaos, she saw Janet push the door open and step out—wearing the very birthday dress Paul had given *her*.

Janet spoke timidly. “I… I heard an argument. Young Master Melissa said he would ruin Master Brian’s hand so he couldn’t take the Imperial Examinations…”

Melissa paled further. Janet had come prepared, framing this as academic rivalry turned violent.

Paul’s face darkened. He walked to Brian, whispered in his ear. Brian, eyes burning with resentment, reluctantly nodded.

“What happened today… Master Brian, in his magnanimity, will not press charges. However, Melissa is to receive twenty lashes. Let it serve as an example.”

Melissa’s head snapped up, eyes wide with disbelief.

*Twenty lashes?*

The man who used to fret over a few strands of her hair falling out—how could he bear to have her beaten?

She grabbed his arm, voice trembling. “It’s not like that! Janet is lying!”

Impatience flickered in Paul’s eyes. “She just met you. Why would she target you? Melissa, don’t make this difficult.”

She tried to argue further, but meeting his icy, resolute gaze, her heart plummeted.

There was none of the old tenderness. Only disdain. Disappointment.

He truly didn’t believe her.

In that moment, something inside Melissa shattered. All strength left her. She could only stand there as the twenty lashes fell, one after another.

Her white robe stained crimson, she was tossed back into her room like discarded cloth.

She thought once the punishment ended, he would come immediately, would listen patiently.

But she waited until dawn broke. Paul never came.

Outside her door, she overheard chatter. He had taken Janet to a physician first thing, bought her clothes and jewels.

Another voice marveled that the young marquis, once indifferent to women, had fallen for a common girl from the streets.

With trembling hands, Melissa wrote a secret letter home.

In fifteen days, the Imperial Examinations would be held. He would pass with honors.

In fifteen days, the Imperial Consort Selection would also begin. She would reclaim her name as a woman—and walk her own path alone.