The palace of glittering gold up on high was never a place Joy wanted to go. She was happy with her life with her uncle and aunt. However, one day when the king invited the whole kingdom to the party of his return from war, she saw a glimpse of how beautiful others lived. It was there that she saw the queen, in all her glory, and she knew she never wanted to be queen as her friend did. All eyes on her, waiting for her to fall, waiting for her to make a mistake, it terrified her.

And then the day came when the king had announced he was looking for a new bride, not as second wife, but as first wife. Rumors swirled about the dismissal of the first queen. Joy tried to avoid the soldiers that were gathering people but when she accidentally got caught up in the crowds, she was doomed to the palace. Now she must navigate the palace world, and try to win the contest to be queen, or be doomed to become a disgraced mistress all while she is keeping her name, and her family a secret.