The Bard's Bargain

War has festered in the split kingdoms of Norwen and Lenwen for a generation. When the Princess Alexandra rejects all of the suitors at her debut, she angers kings, princes, and her own formidable mother. As punishment for her pride, the queen strips the princess of her title and forces her to live in poverty with the lowliest commoner she can find: a young bard named Tom. If she can live the life of a commoner for a full year, she will be able to return to the palace and gain the coveted position of regent. Alexandra journeys with the bard to the neighboring kingdom of Norwen, realm of the suitor she spurned, and is faced with the harsh reality of life as a poor peasant. For the first time in her life, she must learn to care for someone other than herself, or else face loneliness and starvation. Despite the constant hardship, Alexandra finds herself drawn to the handsome, lighthearted Tom, until she is faced with the choice to return to her old life as a princess and end the war between their countries once and for all. A retelling of King Thrushbeard that contains strong language and explicit adult scenes.