Taming the Emperor's Hound summary: Forced into a political marriage by her father, Esmeralda seeks control of her life by enlisting Alphonse, a man she had met at a ball, to act as her lover. Having connections to the Emperor's criminal underworld as an enforcer, Alphonse uses Esmeralda's association to aid him in his mission. However, he ultimately falls for her and pursues her relentlessly. As Esmeralda strives to achieve her goals and date around, she becomes entangled in a scheme devised by the cunning pair, Black German-Iris.