Page 47 of Alpha's Impostor Bride

A tool. At the end of the day, that’s what I am, and that is why I was brought here.

I tuck my legs under me, seeking some warmth. Ever since Cedric left, I’ve felt unbearably cold.

My stomach is in knots. I’ve tried to do what he said. I eat my meals on time. I take the medicine that the healer has been giving me. But I feel tired. I want to sleep all day. Even Harriet has noted my listlessness, and I don’t know how to explain it to her.

I should be getting to bed. Reluctantly, I get to my feet.

Three more weeks.

I know Cedric doesn’t love me. Is it wrong for me to want to believe that he does? He treats me so gently. As the time we spend together has increased, his changing attitude toward me cannot be more obvious. However, I know what I am at the end of the day.

A tool.

But when he holds me in his arms, when he takes me in our bed, when he kisses my forehead, I want to believe that he loves me. That somebody loves me.

My heart trembles when he takes care of me. I miss his presence when he’s gone.

Maybe it’s okay if I delude myself a little bit. Who is it hurting? I’m working hard in this place. I’ve proven to him that I’m worth keeping around.

My heart feels heavy as I drag myself to the bed. But before I can lie down on it, I hear shouting outside. Startled, I hurry over to the balcony doors and open them. Stepping out into the night, I look over the railing and see a group of people in dark cloaks. They are not many, but they’re approaching the castle quickly.

The commotion is coming from the guards. A strange fear strikes me in the heart. What is going on?

I go back inside, quietly closing the balcony doors behind me, and hurry over to the bell to call for Harriet. It takes her a couple of minutes to arrive, and when she does, she looks like she had been sleeping when I rang for her.

“There’s something happening out there,” I say urgently. “Some people were coming toward the castle in cloaks. Is everything okay?”

The sleep vanishes from her eyes, replaced by a sharp look. “I’ll go check. In the meantime, please bolt your doors from the inside.”

Sitting in my nightgown, I wait anxiously once she leaves. An hour passes, then another. There’s no word from Harriet, and the shouting outside has long since died down. My heart is racing. Is she alright? Was there an attack on the castle? Should I go out and check?

When the third hour passes, I can’t take it any longer. I get to my feet and stride over to the door. I’ve just unbolted it when I hear shouting from the hallway.

“You can’t do this!” Harriet’s voice is filled with anger and fear. “I won’t allow you to do this!”

“Get out of my way, Harriet! I am the delegate of the king. And this falls within my duties!”

I recognize Bella’s voice. Her voice is loud, and I hear something new in it.

Satisfaction.

“The king left the queen’s safety in my hands,” Harriet protests.

“Seize her!” I hear Bella command.

Harriet immediately screams, “Your Majesty! Run!”

Run? Run where? Why?

The door to my bedroom is thrown open, and Bella enters, followed by six guards. Her eyes are filled with malicious glee. “Capture her. Capture the fake princess!”

The guards instantly grab me, and Harriet, who is being held by two other guards behind Bella, shouts, “You can’t do this. She’s the king’s mate!”

“She was the king’s mate!” Bella snaps. “Get her on her knees.”

One of the guards kicks me in the back of my legs, forcing me to cry out and stumble forward. Bella grabs me by my jaw and forces me to look up at her. “The true Princess Vivian has arrived. You lied to us all! You dare to manipulate our king?”

“What are you talking—”

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