Bound by Royal Decrees

Edmund Grey has spent a year in the imposing Grey Manor, wrestling with the reality of his position as an unappreciated heir. Longing to carve out his destiny, he finds himself trapped in a world wher e his very existence is often met with mockery and disdain. Removed from the expectations of the Grey family, he takes to repairing the manor's roof—a task that ironically reflects his own need for support and maintenance. But the true storm brewing just beyond the high walls is much more than a mere building issue. The unwelcome engagement to Juliana Sinclair, a woman celebrated for her beauty and martial prowess, hangs over him like a dark cloud, orchestrated by royal decree and designed to fracture the alliances within the powerful Grey family. Opponents plot behind closed doors, and whispers of scandal threaten to tarnish his name further. As rumors swirl that he, the least favored of the Grey lineage, is to marry the radiant Juliana, the tension escalates. It becomes increasingly clear that this forced union serves a hidden purpose, a ploy by the royal court to stir discord between the Grey and Sinclair clans. Amidst the swirling intrigue, Edmund discovers an extraordinary ability—to extract the properties and potentials from ordinary objects around him. With this newfound skill, he begins to transform his surroundings while buttressing his own strength and intellect. Each flicker of discovery brings him closer to seizing control of his fate, yet the consequences of defying tradition could spell disaster. As he struggles against familial expectations and the royal machinations that seek to snare him, the question looms: can he turn the tides of his fate and emerge as a true contender, or will he remain the unknowing pawn in a greater game of power? Trust and betrayal await in the halls of Grey Manor, where shadows whisper and danger lurks just beneath the surface. ...