Falling For His Stand-in Bride

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.

Spring Blossoms

In the spring, the courtyard was filled with blooming flowers, their fragrance wafting through the air. I couldn't help but chase butterflies with my fan. I focused intently on the butterfly before me, but it slipped away from under the fan. Frustrated, I turned around and slipped, crashing into a warm body.

Amidst the floral scent, there was a hint of ink-a scent that belonged to my scholarly Prince Connor.

"Prince Connor," I greeted him with a smile.

He glanced at me, his expression annoyed. "Ashley, where has your usual coyness gone? Are you trying a new trick to catch my eye now?"

His sudden reprimand startled me. I could only murmur, "Your Highness, what do you mean?"

He lifted my chin. "Some people are so used to acting that they change their demeanor every day, their mood shifting constantly. It's repulsive. Such a beautiful face, wasted on such behavior."

With that, he turned and left.

I stood there, stunned, watching the butterflies dance before me, and thought of my sister. Did Prince Connor hate Ashley? Then why did he marry her?

Ever since the Emperor arranged the marriage, my sister had been a shadow of her former self. That night, the fire was said to have started when she accidentally knocked over a candle. Was it really an accident?

That evening, Connor stumbled into my room, reeking of alcohol.

"Ashley, your dream of becoming Empress is shattered. How does it feel? Are you heartbroken now?"

He yanked my clothes, pulling me from my sleep in a daze. His face was full of resentment and unwillingness.

"Two days ago, you and I were inseparable. I worshipped you like a goddess, not daring to touch you. And now, you're flirting in the garden with my brother."

I was stunned, suddenly wide awake. These were things I was hearing for the first time. My sister had always been polite and proper, but when no one was looking, she liked to take my things and never showed me a kind face.

When we were children, everyone praised her for being well-mannered and knowledgeable, but she would turn around and find various reasons to take away the things I liked. She often cupped my face and said, "You don't deserve to have this face. I am the unique one."

As we grew older, we rarely appeared together. She always stood out among the family, while I spent my time with beggars and orphans in the streets, gradually becoming an unruly child with no one to guide me.

I was both surprised and found it somewhat expected. Ashley excelled in everything and naturally hoped her husband would be exceptional too. Discovering a more suitable match, she would undoubtedly fight for it. But her scheming ultimately cost her life.

The person I secretly liked didn't know that the one he hated was already gone. His hand tightened around my neck. "Now that you can't become the Empress and have fallen into my hands, do you regret it?"

"Ashley, I saved you back then. You owe me a life, and I will make you repay it bit by bit."

Saved me? My hands clung to his, but our strength was too unequal. The red bedding and his angry eyes gradually faded from my sight.

I didn't have time to ponder what had happened between him and my sister. Their grudges were none of my concern, only the debt of life-saving grace. He indeed saved me, but how could he be referring to Ashley in this way?

Last year, in the misty rain of March, everything was coming back to life. I couldn't stay at home and sneaked out once more. Because it was raining, my old friends didn't go out. I wandered alone with a paper umbrella, enjoying the scenery until I reached the edge of the city. There, I saw a little girl playing with a shuttlecock. She was so adorable and lively that I couldn't help but join her. We played joyfully until the shuttlecock flew high towards the river. The girl ran to retrieve it, but the slippery riverbank, soaked from the rain, caused her to fall into the water.

Panicked, I called for help, but no one responded. I jumped into the water, trying to pull her out, only to realize that I couldn't swim. I struggled helplessly, water choking me, unable to cry for help. Gradually, I began to sink. Just then, someone held my waist and pulled me up.

This person was none other than Connor.

He took the girl and me to a nearby place, helped us change our clothes, and then said to me, "You dared to save someone even though you can't swim? You have quite the courage, young lady."

I pointed to the little girl and smiled, "In the end, she was saved."

"Thank you for your kindness, sir."

He smiled