Chapter 1

I am Lillian Grace. I was born with a phoenix fate, destined for wealth and power from the start. But on the night before my coming-of-age ceremony, my personal maid, Faye Palmer, used forbidden magic from the western desert to steal my fate.

She traded me her lonely beggar's life. After the swap, she wore my face, became the true eldest daughter of Grace Manor, and entered the Crown Prince's Palace, climbing from a low-ranked concubine to a royal consort in a blaze of stolen glory.

As for me, she framed me for stealing the family's pendant, had me beaten half to death, threw me out into the dead of winter, and dumped me in a mass grave, where I became a beggar anyone could bully.

Later, to secure her stolen identity, she joined hands with Prince Julian and forged letters accusing my father of treason. My entire family was sentenced to death. More than three hundred people died. Not one survived.

On the day of the execution at the Execution Gate, Faye Palmer stood on the raised platform in fine clothes, looking down at me like I was dirt. She had my tongue cut out and forced me to watch my father and brothers die, and to look at the white mourning cloth where Lady Evelyn had taken her own life.

At the end, she crouched in front of me, leaned close to my ear, and laughed so hard her whole body shook.

"Lillian Grace, so what if you were born lucky? Didn't an orphan like me steal your fate anyway?"

"Your phoenix luck, your riches, your family's lives, all of it belongs to me now."

"Until the day you die, you'll be nothing but a worthless beggar."

On the day of the execution at the Execution Gate, the moment the blade came down, the stench of blood flooded my nose and mouth. Everything went black. When I opened my eyes again, I saw the familiar carved canopy over my bed, and the air still carried the orchid scent unique to my room.

"Miss, you're awake. I brought your calming tonic. Drink it while it's hot."

A soft female voice sounded beside me. It was Faye Palmer. I shot upright and turned to look at her.

She was wearing a pale green maid's dress, holding a wooden tray with a bowl of dark medicine on it. On her face was the same harmless, meek, pitiful smile I had looked at for ten whole years.

I lifted a hand and touched my neck. No wound. I pinched my own cheek. The warmth felt so real it made me tremble.

I jumped out of bed and rushed to the vanity. In the bronze mirror was my sixteen-year-old self, with bright eyes, glowing skin, and the last trace of youthful sweetness still on my face.

I was back. Back to one month before my coming-of-age ceremony. It was also the tenth day Faye Palmer had been feeding me that cursed potion.

There were still exactly thirty days left before she would make her move and steal my fate.

"Miss? What's wrong?"

Faye Palmer came to my side and held the tray out to me, her eyes full of just the right amount of concern.

"Did you sleep badly? Madam had the royal physician make this calming tonic just for you. It's good for your body, so drink it while it's hot. If it gets cold, it'll upset your stomach."

I stared at the bowl. My stomach turned with a wave of nausea.