Falling For His Stand-in Bride

Falling For His Stand-in Bride

Bing Caratozzolo

5.0
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My sister and I are twins. In a big fire, my sister died. My parents actually made me marry the prince instead of my sister. After marrying him, he asked me, "Why did you disappoint him, not fulfilling his wish to climb onto the dragon bed, only able to marry him, do you regret it?" He treated me as if I had betrayed his sister, humiliating me step by step...

Chapter 1 Substitute

My sister and I were twins. A devastating fire claimed her life. Our parents insisted that I take her place and marry Prince Connor. After the wedding, he asked me, "Why did you betray him? Why couldn't you achieve your goal of becoming the emperor's concubine and had to marry me instead? Do you regret it?" He mistook me for my sister who had betrayed him and humiliated me step by step...

"Sandra, what should we do? Why hasn't Prince Connor come yet? It's already late at night," my maid Sandra said to me.

On my wedding night, I was filled with anticipation, hoping that the gentleman I admired would lift my red veil, and that we would live in harmony and grow old together. Even though I knew he loved my sister, I thought that as long as I pretended to be her, he might never discover the truth.

"Please, Ashley, our entire family's lives depend on you. You spent every day with Allison and know her personality. You can imitate her without being exposed."

Our family was of humble origin in Doford. My father was a minor official with a meager salary. Since we had managed to form a connection with Prince Connor, how could we let it go?

"I don't want to be my sister's substitute. I just want to be myself."

The emperor had decreed the marriage, and a few days later, the bride-to-be died unexpectedly. Although it wouldn't lead to our complete destruction, the emperor's wrath was still terrifying for a family like ours.

My parents begged desperately, tears streaming down my face, I agreed.

The name Allison disappeared from the world, and from then on, I was Ashley. I couldn't defy my father's orders. Since I was already married, I would take this secret to my grave.

I had seen him once, on a rainy March day, and I had fallen in love with him then. It took me a long time to realize that this man was Prince Connor. I thought we would never have a chance to be together, but fate had other plans. I could only see this as a gift.

From now on, I would be a good wife to him, love him, and respect him. The wedding candles burned down bit by bit, but Prince Connor did not come. He didn't come at all that night.

The people at the Prince Connor residence gossiped, "The new bride sat alone in the bridal chamber all night."

"Prince Connor was nowhere to be seen."

"Did you know? Prince Connor went to a brothel last night..."

My sister was gentle and compliant, while I was lively and active. Since childhood, everyone favored my sister. Even though we looked the same, I couldn't compare to her in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, books, or etiquette.

In my parents' eyes, I never existed. I married in place of my sister, and my husband ran away on the wedding night.

"Sandra, am I truly abandoned by the heavens?"

"How could that be, Miss? You are beautiful and have a good personality. Everyone at the Carter residence liked the second young lady."

"Sandra, there is no second young lady in this world anymore."

"Everyone liked the eldest young lady." Sandra realized she had misspoken.

Allison had perished in that fire. The maids and servants around me secretly mocked me, but I responded with a silent smile. What did ridicule matter to me?

I harbored a monumental secret. This marriage was a deception on my part.

I was surprised that the Prince Connor residence didn't have as many rules as the Carter residence. Over the past few days, I happily explored the entire residence. Indeed, Prince Connor lived up to his reputation. There were only simple rules to govern the servants, without a heavy and oppressive atmosphere.

I liked this feeling, as if the rope around my neck had loosened a bit, and I could finally breathe fresh air. I wondered if Prince Connor would come tonight. What did it matter if he didn't? If he came, I would have to pretend to be my sister, strictly adhere to the rules, and constantly speak of the traditional virtues expected of women.

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