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I was the girl taken in by Richard Hawthorne, Commander of the Ironridge Battalion. For eighteen years, the entire camp spoiled me silly. But then, King Onyx recognized me as his own daughter. That night, my foster father Richard hugged me and cried his eyes out. "Bella, there are a lot of bad people in the palace. If they treat you badly, come tell Dad." I nodded. On my wedding night, my husband, Edward Blackwood, a duke's heir, made me stand out in the rain all night because of his mistress. The next day, I was barely hanging on. With the last bit of strength I had, I sent a message by a bird: [Dad, they're way too harsh.] Half a month later, Richard marched fifty thousand strong from Ironridge Battalion to the city gates. He kicked open the palace gates, pressed the signet ring into my hand, his eyes full of worry and love. "Bella, don't be afraid. Dad's conquered the royal palace for you. If anyone dares to be harsh on you, do whatever you want."