Short Synopsis
Dakota Krout presents Book 2 in the Damsels of Distress series.

Full Synopsis
Daughter defiant to the last. A prince with ambitions of inferno. Oh me, oh my.

Isabella Vigatori, known as Bella, dreams of perfecting the system-granted ability she inherited from her late mother: Minor Creature Control. Her magic may only impact small creatures like mice and birds, making them loyal companions through song, but Bella is determined to achieve greatness. Yet her father, bitter from losing his wife to a beast she tamed, condemns her ambition as reckless.

When Bella refuses to abandon her dreams, her father remarries a shrewd widow, Matringa, who quickly restores the family’s fortunes. But Matringa ensures Bella is relegated to servant status, vanishing her from public view until she forsakes her "commoner's ambition". Even so, Bella quietly defies her family, nurturing her forbidden magic in secret.

Upon uncovering a dark secret behind Matringa's sudden success, Bella realizes the kingdom itself is in peril. With her wits, loyal creatures, and a desperate plan to gain the ear of Prince Cinder at a royal masquerade, Bella must act fast. If this competent underdog cannot convince the prince to take action, there might not be anyone left in the kingdom for him to rule.

A single mouse is prey; but even a Witch fears mischief.