After Desolation: New Hope

Two centuries after a cataclysmic Desolation, the world is divided into seven kingdoms, each ruled by a Council of Essentials that determines what is necessary for survival. In the Kingdom of New Hope, Renna Degray, the spirited daughter of a farmer, is swept into the world of royalty when her mother marries King Bryant. Renna's life is split between memories of her father and the expectations of her new royal family. As the kingdom prepares for a political marriage alliance with Albion, Renna's longing for her lost home and her struggle to fit into the rigid, color-coded society set the stage for her journey. The world is one of scarcity, class divides, and the lingering trauma of a world rebuilt from ashes.

The Pond Encounter

On a rare return to her childhood home, Renna escapes the suffocating expectations of her royal life and flees to Wellenbreck Pond, a place of solace and memory. There, a playful prank—pretending to drown—leads to a chance encounter with Trev, a charming stranger who dives in to save her. Their banter is electric, full of wit and flirtation, and both are drawn to each other's authenticity. Neither reveals their true identity, and their connection is immediate and deep, a spark of hope in lives otherwise dictated by duty. The pond becomes a symbol of place and object of freedom, innocence, and the possibility of love outside the boundaries of class and obligation.

Secrets and Goodbyes

Renna visits her father's grave, pouring out her grief and the weight of her new life. Her relationship with her mother is strained, haunted by secrets and the pain of a marriage that was never built on love. The return to Wellenbreck is bittersweet, filled with nostalgia and the ache of things lost. Renna's sense of not belonging is sharpened by her mother's anxieties and the coldness of her new royal world. As the caravan prepares to leave for Albion, Renna's heart is heavy with the knowledge that she is leaving behind the only place she ever felt truly herself.

Strangers and Princes

Trev, revealed to be Prince Ezra of Albion, is also on a journey—campaigning for the upcoming election and struggling under the weight of his father's expectations. His encounter with Renna lingers in his mind, a rare moment of joy and authenticity. Both are drawn back to the pond, seeking each other out, but their worlds are about to collide in ways neither expects. When Renna and her family arrive at the Albion palace, the truth of their identities is unveiled through mistaken identity. Renna is not the princess betrothed to Trev, but her stepsister Seran is. The revelation is a blow to both, shattering the fantasy of a love unburdened by politics and duty.

Mistaken Identities

The palace is a maze of etiquette, alliances, and hidden agendas. Renna and Trev, now forced into proximity, struggle to navigate their feelings. Their playful connection is strained by jealousy, misunderstandings, and the ever-present eyes of the court. Seran, poised and dutiful, is everything a princess should be, but her own fears and sadness simmer beneath the surface. The marriage alliance is not just a personal matter but a linchpin for peace and power between kingdoms. Renna's sense of being an outsider intensifies, and her relationship with Trev becomes a dangerous secret, threatening the fragile balance of the alliance.

Palace Arrivals

The Albion palace dazzles with its opulence, a stark contrast to Renna's humble roots. The arrival of the New Hope delegation is met with fanfare, but beneath the surface, tensions simmer. Trev's father, King Carver, is a calculating ruler obsessed with power and the looming threat of Tolsten, a rival kingdom. The palace is filled with political intrigue, and Renna is both invisible and scrutinized. Her every misstep is magnified, and her longing for Trev is matched only by her fear of being discovered. The palace becomes a gilded cage, and Renna's struggle to maintain her identity and dignity grows ever more desperate.

Tangled Alliances

The marriage between Seran and Trev is not just a union of two people but a strategic move to secure military and economic power. The Council of Essentials, the threat of Tolsten, and the upcoming election all converge to create a web of political intrigue. Trev is torn between his duty to his kingdom and his feelings for Renna. Seran, too, is caught in a role she did not choose, her own desires sacrificed for the greater good. The palace is rife with spies, informers, and hidden agendas. The personal and the political are inseparable, and every choice has consequences far beyond the individual.

The Tournament of Games

To celebrate the alliance, the palace hosts a grand tournament—a series of games and competitions meant to entertain and unite. The event becomes a stage for rivalry, not just between kingdoms but between suitors. Trev and Renna's playful banter turns to open flirtation, drawing the attention and ire of others. Joniss Doman, Trev's political rival, emerges as a dangerous adversary, both in the arena and in matters of the heart. The games are a microcosm of the larger struggles at play: power, love, and the fight for agency in a world that demands conformity.

Forbidden Feelings

As the wedding approaches, Renna and Trev's feelings intensify, but so do the risks. Their stolen moments are fraught with longing and fear. The red dress Renna wears to the ball is an act of rebellion, a declaration of self in a world that seeks to erase her. The kiss they finally share is both a culmination and a breaking point, forcing them to confront the reality that their love may destroy everything they care about. The cost of happiness is high, and both must decide what they are willing to sacrifice.

The Red Dress Rebellion

Renna's choice to wear a scandalous red dress to the palace ball is a turning point. It is an assertion of her autonomy, a challenge to the Council's rules and the expectations of her class and gender. The act draws admiration, outrage, and danger. King Carver confronts her, threatening and belittling her, while Trev is both captivated and tormented. The ball becomes a battleground for identity, love, and power. Renna's defiance inspires others but also isolates her further, setting the stage for the dramatic events to come.

The Wedding That Wasn't

On the day of the wedding, as Trev prepares to break off the ceremony and choose Renna, an assassin strikes. In a moment of chaos, Trev throws himself in front of Seran, but the bullet meant for him strikes her instead. The alliance is thrown into jeopardy, and the palace descends into panic and grief. The assassination is the result of a tangled web of betrayal, with Joniss and Tolsten at the center. Seran's death is a devastating blow, not just to her family but to the fragile peace between kingdoms. Trev and Renna are left to pick up the pieces of their broken lives.

Assassins and Informers

In the aftermath of the shooting, the truth slowly emerges. Joniss is revealed as the informer, manipulating events for his own gain and colluding with Tolsten. The political fallout is immense: executions, shifting alliances, and the ever-present threat of war. Trev, now king, must navigate the treacherous waters of leadership, haunted by guilt and loss. Renna returns to Wellenbreck, seeking solace and a sense of belonging. Both are changed by what they have endured, and the possibility of happiness seems more distant than ever.

Loss and Reckoning

The kingdoms mourn Seran, and both Trev and Renna are forced to confront their own roles in the tragedy. Letters are written but never sent, confessions made in the quiet of night. Renna finds comfort in the routines of farm life and the support of those who love her. Trev, burdened by the weight of kingship and regret, throws himself into his duties, seeking redemption through service. The process of healing is slow and painful, but both begin to imagine a future where love and duty might coexist.

Letters Never Sent

Trev pours his heart into unsent letters to Renna, chronicling his days, his grief, and his enduring love. The letters become a lifeline, a way to process the past and hope for the future. Renna, too, is haunted by what might have been, but she finds strength in forgiveness—of her mother, of Trev, and of herself. The distance between them is both physical and emotional, but the possibility of reunion lingers, a hope that refuses to die.

Rebuilding and Return

As winter turns to spring, Trev, now king, finally seeks out Renna at Wellenbreck. Their reunion is awkward, charged with unresolved pain and longing. Both must confront their fears and insecurities, but the love that once blossomed at the pond proves resilient. With the blessing of King Bryant and the support of those who matter most, Trev and Renna choose each other, not as an escape from duty but as a fulfillment of it. Their love is not a fairytale but a hard-won reality, forged in loss and tempered by forgiveness.

Love, Forgiveness, and Home

Trev and Renna marry in a simple, intimate ceremony, surrounded by those who have become family. Their union is not just a personal victory but a symbol of a new era—one where love, agency, and compassion are as essential as any council decree. The story ends not with a grand coronation or a sweeping political triumph, but with two people choosing each other, day after day, in the quiet moments of ordinary life. Their happiness is hard-won, their love a promise kept in a world that once seemed determined to keep them apart.

Characters

Renna Degray

Renna is the daughter of a farmer, thrust into the world of royalty when her mother marries King Bryant of New Hope. She is spirited, witty, and deeply loyal, but struggles with feelings of inadequacy and displacement. Her grief over her father's death and her mother's emotional distance shape her longing for home and authenticity. Renna's journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to assert her own desires in a world that seeks to define her. Her relationship with Trev is both a source of joy and pain, forcing her to confront the limits of love, duty, and forgiveness. Through loss and hardship, Renna emerges as a woman who claims her own worth and chooses love on her own terms.

Trev (Prince Ezra Trevenna)

Trev is the heir to the throne of Albion, burdened by the expectations of his calculating father and the demands of a kingdom on the brink of war. Outwardly charming and confident, he is inwardly plagued by self-doubt and a longing for genuine connection. His chance meeting with Renna awakens a sense of possibility and hope, but his role as a political pawn threatens to crush it. Trev's arc is one of maturation: from a man who feels trapped by duty to a king who chooses love and compassion, even at great personal cost. His struggle to reconcile his heart with his responsibilities is the emotional core of the story.

Seran Haslett

Seran is Renna's stepsister and the princess of New Hope, raised to embody grace, intelligence, and self-control. Betrothed to Trev since childhood, she is the linchpin of the political alliance between kingdoms. Beneath her poised exterior lies a young woman who feels the weight of expectation and the pain of a life not chosen. Seran's relationship with Renna is complex—marked by rivalry, admiration, and, ultimately, understanding. Her tragic fate is a catalyst for the story's climax, and her legacy is one of quiet strength and sacrifice.

Queen Mariele

Mariele is Renna's mother, a woman shaped by heartbreak, ambition, and the scars of a forced marriage. Her union with King Bryant is both a second chance and a source of guilt, as she struggles to reconcile her past with her present. Mariele's relationship with Renna is fraught, marked by misunderstanding and unspoken pain. Her anxieties and need for control often put her at odds with her daughter, but beneath it all is a fierce love and a desire to protect. Mariele's journey is one of reckoning—with her own choices, her daughter's happiness, and the possibility of forgiveness.

King Carver Trevenna

Trev's father, King Carver, is a man hardened by loss and consumed by the need to secure his legacy. His obsession with the threat of Tolsten and the upcoming election drives him to manipulate, threaten, and even contemplate assassination. Carver's relationship with Trev is cold and transactional, defined by disappointment and unmet expectations. He is both a product and a perpetuator of a system that values power over people. His eventual loss of control is both a personal and political reckoning.

King Bryant

King Bryant of New Hope is a man who has known both love and loss. His marriage to Mariele is a second chance at happiness, but it comes with its own complications. Bryant is a stabilizing force, offering wisdom, compassion, and, ultimately, forgiveness. His ability to see beyond politics to the needs of his family and kingdom makes him a rare figure of integrity. Bryant's blessing is crucial to Trev and Renna's eventual union, and his story is a testament to the power of second chances.

Joniss Doman

Joniss is Trev's political adversary, a charismatic and cunning figure who seeks power at any cost. Outwardly charming, he is inwardly ruthless, manipulating events to his advantage and colluding with Tolsten to destabilize Albion. Joniss's rivalry with Trev is both personal and political, and his actions set in motion the story's most devastating events. His eventual downfall is a reckoning for the dangers of unchecked ambition and betrayal.

Drake Vestry

Drake is Trev's closest confidant and head of security, a steady presence amid the chaos of court life. He is pragmatic, protective, and often the only one willing to challenge Trev's decisions. Drake's own arc is one of quiet growth, as he navigates his feelings for Lizanne and his role in the unfolding drama. His loyalty is unwavering, and his counsel is instrumental in guiding Trev through crisis and loss.

Mangum

Mangum is a loyal guard to Renna and her family, a figure of quiet strength and compassion. His own history of love and loss mirrors Renna's, and his presence is a source of comfort and stability. Mangum's willingness to follow Renna to Wellenbreck and support her through grief and rebuilding is a testament to the power of chosen family.

Nellie and Preetis

The caretakers of Wellenbreck Farm, Nellie and Preetis are the embodiment of home, warmth, and unconditional love. Their humor, wisdom, and steadfast support provide Renna with a sense of belonging and continuity. They are the keepers of memory and tradition, grounding the story in the rhythms of ordinary life.

Plot Devices

Dual Narratives and Shifting Perspectives

The story unfolds through alternating chapters from Renna and Trev's perspectives, allowing readers to experience both the external events and the internal emotional landscapes of the protagonists. This structure deepens the sense of longing, misunderstanding, and eventual reconciliation, as each character's motivations and vulnerabilities are laid bare. The shifting perspectives also highlight the differences in class, gender, and power, making the stakes of their love and choices more immediate.

Mistaken Identity and Dramatic Irony

The initial anonymity between Renna and Trev at the pond sets up a classic case of mistaken identity, fueling both the romance and the eventual heartbreak when their true roles are revealed. Dramatic irony abounds, as the reader is often aware of secrets and dangers before the characters themselves, heightening suspense and emotional investment.

Political Intrigue and Foreshadowing

The backdrop of political alliances, assassination plots, and the ever-present threat of Tolsten provides a constant undercurrent of danger. Early hints—such as the presence of spies, the Council's machinations, and Joniss's duplicity—foreshadow the eventual unraveling of the alliance and the tragedy at the wedding. The personal and the political are inextricably linked, with individual choices rippling outward to affect the fate of kingdoms.

Symbolism of Place and Object

Wellenbreck Pond is a recurring symbol of innocence, freedom, and the possibility of love untainted by duty. The red dress Renna wears to the ball is a symbol of rebellion and self-assertion, while Trev's unsent letters become a repository for longing, regret, and hope. These objects and places ground the story's emotional arc, providing touchstones for the characters' growth and transformation.

Letters and Unspoken Words

The motif of letters—written, unsent, or read—serves as a means for characters to process grief, confess love, and imagine alternate futures. The act of writing becomes a form of healing, a way to bridge the distance between hearts and to keep hope alive even in the face of loss.

Analysis

The Promised Prince reimagines the classic romance against a backdrop of post-apocalyptic scarcity, rigid social hierarchies, and political intrigue. At its heart, the novel is a meditation on agency: the struggle to claim one's own desires in a world that seeks to define and confine. Renna and Trev's journey is not just about finding love, but about forging identity, challenging unjust systems, and learning to forgive—both others and themselves. The story interrogates the costs of duty, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the possibility of happiness after loss. Through its dual narrative, the novel invites readers to empathize with both privilege and marginalization, to see the ways in which love can be both a refuge and a risk. Ultimately, The Promised Prince is a testament to resilience: the belief that even in a world shaped by trauma and control, it is possible to choose joy, to build home, and to write one's own ending.

Last updated: September 3, 2025