Chapter 1

Less than three months after my twin sister, Rayne Garrison, the Crown Princess, passed away, Crown Prince Alexander Pollard appeared at my door, insisting that I marry him.

I could not bring myself to marry my late sister's husband.

Besides, I despised Alexander for being so heartless and unfaithful.

Rayne's body was barely cold, and he was already desperate for a new bride.

And that bride he wanted was me, her identical twin.

I guessed men truly valued someone who was gone.

That was the fine tradition of the royal family, always favoring the departed.

If I married into the royal family, I might spend my entire life in comparison to Rayne.

But how could the living ever compete with the memory of someone who was gone?

Even though I did not want to marry Alexander, I had no choice in the matter.

Later, Alexander confessed through tears that he had wanted to marry me ever since he was six years old.

It was Rayne who had been caught up in fate's mix-up.

*****

I never imagined that the first person I would see after transmigrating would be Alexander, the Crown Prince, arriving at my home to propose to me.

Feigning shyness, I twisted my handkerchief and kept my head lowered, quietly listening as my family lavished me with "compliments."

"Your Highness, this daughter of mine is stubborn and spoiled. All she does is eat and sleep. She is hardly fit to be Crown Princess," my father, Mercer Garrison, said.

"Your Highness, my daughter has certain mysterious health issues. She may not even be able to bear children, so she is not suited to continue the royal line," my mother, Salome Garrison, added.

"Your Highness, my sister is not particularly bright and rather naive, clueless, and talentless. We would not want to trouble you with her," my brother, Omari Garrison, chimed in.

See? That was what my real family looked like. They joined forces and fabricated outrageous stories, all to keep me away from Dalasorough Palace, that royal nightmare.

Stubborn and spoiled? All I did was sneak a few cups of wine, pull the eldest prince Bradley Pollard's pants down in front of everyone, and pass out right afterward.

Mysterious health issues? When I came of age, the court physician checked my body and declared that I was destined to have thirteen children if I ever wished to.

Clueless and talentless? Omari, had you forgotten that I wrote every essay you submitted to the tutor, and that everyone praised them endlessly?

Still, they could say whatever they pleased. As long as I did not have to marry Alexander, my brother-in-law, they could accuse me of anything, and I would gladly go along with it.

Alexander, however, had come prepared. With a faint smile, he took out a royal decree, announcing, "By the grace of God, the king decrees that Daniela Garrison, daughter of Prime Minister Mercer Garrison, embodies the virtues of a noble lady with utmost propriety.

"She is hereby betrothed to Crown Prince Alexander Pollard and shall be established as Crown Princess. She is to learn the customs of the harem and assist the Crown Prince in his duties.

"A date for the wedding shall be selected, and the news shall be proclaimed throughout the land. Thus is the decree."

My parents and brother exchanged uneasy glances.

Without hesitation, I dropped to my knees before anyone else could react.

Alexander said, "Mr. and Mrs. Garrison, I have admired Daniela for many years, and now my wish has finally been fulfilled. I vow to cherish and protect her, and she will never suffer the slightest grievance."

Those words sounded far too familiar. I pretended to clean my ear, thinking that he was repeating himself. He had said the same thing when he proposed to Rayne.

"I accept the decree. Long live the king," Mercer said, though he looked utterly reluctant. Even so, he had no choice but to raise his hands and receive the decree.

"Mr. Garrison, if you have no objections, we shall arrange the wedding at once," Alexander said, his smile brimming with confidence, as though victory were already assured.

"Wait a second," I said, lifting my head. "Your Highness, there is no need to rush. Haste makes waste."

The hall fell into complete silence. My parents stood frozen, too frightened to speak.

I lifted the veil from my head, and Alexander stared at my face as though spellbound. "Daniela, are you having second thoughts about the marriage?"

"I would not dare," I replied, bowing at Alexander gracefully. "I would never defy the royal decree. However, since I am about to take my late sister's place and marry her husband, there are several matters I wish to ask Your Highness."

I deliberately emphasized the words "my sister's husband" and "take her place," ensuring their meaning was unmistakable.

"Oh?" Alexander said, clearly intrigued. "Go ahead."

"First, if I remember correctly, when Your Highness proposed to Rayne, you promised to cherish and protect her. Yet within a single year, she died so suddenly. Did you fail to keep your promise, or is there something you have not revealed?" I asked.

Everyone in the hall drew a sharp breath. My mother shot me anxious glances, silently pleading with me to stop.

"Second, there are countless noble ladies in the capital, many of whom admire Your Highness. I am by no means exceptional, so why choose me? Is it because I am Rayne's identical twin?" I continued.

As soon as the words left my lips, the hall seemed to freeze. No one dared to breathe, and my mother was so shocked that she did not even blink.

I went on, "Third, Your Highness, you are aware that I am not particularly well-behaved. Since you insist on marrying me, I have little say in the matter. So tell me. Have you truly decided what kind of Crown Princess you desire?

"If you seek someone meek and obedient, like a bird confined to a cage, then even if you marry me, you will not keep me for long. Rayne's fate should serve as a warning."

Alexander opened his mouth several times as if to speak, but each time he closed it again, unable to say anything.

Watching him struggle for words, I finally said to drive him away, "These three questions can wait, Your Highness. Once you have considered your answers, we may discuss the wedding again. For now, please take your leave."