Wild Rose of Heartache

A possessive, crazed jerk of a man vs. a wild beauty who pretends to be pure but is just as unhinged

[Marriage before love + heroine acts meek at first + powerful, obsessive man falls hard + sweet and angsty + devoted one-on-one romance]

Caught in a conspiracy, blind and deranged Jiang Chu is dragged out of a human-trafficking black market by the empire's crown prince, Qi Jun.

In public, she's a pure, fragile little flower, meek and silly.

Someone even compiled a hundred ways she could die.

That Jiang Chu could stab herself while cutting fruit. That Jiang Chu could trip over a doorstep and kill herself. That Jiang Chu could choke to death just eating a meal.

Jiang Chu: Say whatever you want. I'm just an idiot.

Qi Jun: Interesting.

In private, she's a red rose with a knife hidden at her waist, cool and dignified.

Some people have seen her climb to the 30th floor in one go and still be full of energy.

Some have heard an explosion on an epic scale in the empire.

Some have caught the scent of flowers from thousands of miles away.

Jiang Chu: I'm done pretending. I'm going to run away.

Qi Jun: Stay right by my side. People who run away have to be punished.

-

Jiang Chu: “Do you know why you never exposed me?”

Qi Jun: “What fun would there be in exposing you? I prefer watching you pretend.”

A complete plot, no clichés, and a brisk pace.

There will be a gay couple. [Please read no further if that bothers you.]