Book excerpt: Hotaru needs a wife. Yuki has no intention of marrying, ever. Neither of them planned on falling in love. Hotaru was never supposed to become king. But after his elder brother abdicated, he inherited a title, a kingdom at war, and a witch with dubious intentions. Desperate for allies, he travels to a neighboring kingdom in search of a bride. Where it’s rumored, the dying king hopes to arrange his sister’s marriage. Instead, he meets an insufferable princess who talks to forest animals... Yuki is more comfortable with dirt and grime between her toes than in silk and satin. Her uncanny connection to the forest alienated her from everyone but her brother, who's dying from the same illness that killed their father. Her brother is afraid she’ll be left alone and insists she marry. For his sake, she agrees, but only if she falls in love… To win Yuki’s hand, Hotaru will have to capture her heart first. But she’s not only immune to his charms, but tries to sabotage him at every turn. That is until an unknown assassin attempts to kill Yuki with his gifts and frame Hotaru. Realizing Hotaru wouldn’t kill his would-be bride, she reluctantly agrees to work with him to find the real culprit. However, the more time they spend together, the more her feelings change. Yuki swore she’d never fall in love, but if she’s not careful, Hotaru might sway her heart.