The Cursed Alpha Prince's Replacement Bride

{Third Person}

The two women shared a quiet laugh before Elowen leaned back comfortably against the sofa.

"Do you know," she said with an amused smile, "the palace has become terribly boring without you."

Amara looked at her in surprise before laughing. "Without me?"

"And without my brother," Elowen corrected. "The two of you leave, Barron hardly ever visits, and suddenly the entire palace feels lifeless. Even walking through the corridors has become dull."

"I didn’t know I had such an effect."

"You did," Elowen replied honestly. "At least from my point of view."

They continued chatting for a while about ordinary things before Elowen smiled to herself, as though she had just remembered something.

"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I’ve moved out as well."

Amara blinked in surprise. "You have?"

Elowen nodded. "I moved back to my own place here in the city. I told Father and Mother that I wanted to continue my studies."

Amara looked at her for a moment before a look of realization crossed her face. "Wait... wasn’t that only an excuse?"

"It was."

Amara stared at her in disbelief. "Then... doesn’t that mean you lied to His Majesty and Her Majesty?"

Elowen simply shrugged, looking completely unconcerned by the matter.

"I know it wasn’t the most honest thing to do, but if I had told them the real reason, they would never have agreed to let me leave the palace again. At least this way, I finally have some freedom."

Although Amara still looked slightly alarmed, she could also understand why Elowen had done it.

The Princess let out a quiet sigh before her expression gradually became more thoughtful. "To be honest, moving out wasn’t the difficult part. My real concern is what happens next year."

Amara looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?"

"If I don’t find my mate before then," Elowen replied, "Father will almost certainly begin making arrangements for my marriage."

She smiled helplessly, though there was very little amusement behind it.

"You know how he is. He would never be happy seeing me remain unmarried while everyone else begins settling down."

Amara listened quietly without interrupting.

"The truth is," Elowen continued after a brief pause, "if I never find my mate, I wouldn’t mind remaining single for the rest of my life. I’d much rather stay unmarried than marry someone simply because I’m expected to."

She lowered her eyes for a brief moment before giving a small laugh.

"Unfortunately, I already know Father and Mother won’t feel the same way. They will have entirely different plans for me."

Suddenly, Elowen looked around the sitting room before turning back to Amara. "By the way... where’s my brother?"

Amara naturally glanced toward the doorway before shaking her head. "I have no idea."

Elowen held her gaze for a second before smiling in amusement. "You should know."

Amara blinked a few times, seemingly confused by that statement. "Why?"

"Because he’s your husband."

The words came so naturally that Amara immediately felt warmth rise to her cheeks. Not wanting Elowen to continue teasing her, she quickly steered the conversation in another direction.

"How is everyone at the palace?"

Elowen noticed the change of subject immediately but smiled to herself and decided not to press the matter.

"Everyone is doing well," she answered. "Father has been occupied with the newborn prince these past few days, Mother has been keeping mostly to herself, and the rest of the palace has been unusually quiet."

Amara nodded before asking the question that had been lingering in her mind. "And... how is the little prince?"

"He’s perfectly healthy," Elowen replied reassuringly. "Father has become extremely protective of him. I don’t think anyone would dare get close to the child without Father’s permission."

Hearing that, Amara quietly felt relieved. At least the little prince was safe.

The conversation continued for a little while longer before she smiled warmly at the princess.

"Will you be spending the night here?"

Elowen’s eyes sparkled mischievously. She leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice as though sharing a secret. "If my brother lets me."

Amara couldn’t help laughing. Looking at Elowen now, she seemed completely at ease, behaving less like royalty and more like an old friend who had simply come to visit.Top of Form

That afternoon, Elowen remained at the estate.

True to her cheerful nature, she made herself completely at home, chatting with Amara in the sitting room, wandering through the flower gardens, and occasionally helping herself to the refreshments Mrs. Woods had thoughtfully prepared.

By the time evening arrived, she had already decided that she had to make her brother accept her request.

Not long before dinner, the quiet sound of a car pulling into the driveway reached the house.

Elowen, who had been sitting comfortably with Amara in the sitting room, immediately looked toward the window.

"He’s back."

Amara naturally followed her gaze.

A few moments later, Alexander entered the house through the front door with Jasper following quietly behind him. He had evidently spent the afternoon attending to official matters outside the estate.

As soon as he stepped into the sitting room, his eyes naturally fell upon the two women.

"Welcome, Your Highness," Amara greeted him with a small bow.

Elowen smiled brightly. "Welcome back, Brother."

Alexander gave a slight nod and directly asked, "When did you arrive?"

"This morning."

His gaze shifted briefly toward Amara before returning to her. "Have you been waiting long?"

"Not really."

Before Alexander could say anything further, one of the servants approached respectfully. "Your Highness, dinner is ready."

Alexander acknowledged the servant with a nod before looking toward the two women. "Let’s eat."

The three of them made their way to the dining room together.

Unlike the previous few days, the dining room felt much livelier with Elowen’s presence. She sat opposite Alexander while Amara remained in her usual seat beside him.

The servants served dinner before quietly withdrawing from the room, leaving the three of them to eat in peace.

For a while, only the soft sounds of cutlery against porcelain filled the room. Naturally, Elowen was the first to break the silence. She looked across the table at her brother with a playful smile.

"You know... your house is much nicer than mine."

Alexander calmly continued eating. "So, I’ve noticed."

"And it’s more peaceful than the palace."

"It is."

She smiled mischievously. "I think I will come here more often."

Alexander neither encouraged nor discouraged the idea. "As you wish."

Seeing that he had not objected, Elowen became even bolder. "In fact..." She smiled sweetly. "I would like to stay the night."Bottom of Form

Alexander did not even bother looking up. He directly rejected her. "No."

The answer came so quickly that Elowen frowned. "You didn’t even think about it."

"I did."

"And?"

"The answer is still no."

Elowen sighed dramatically. "Brother..."

"No."

She rested both elbows lightly on the table before looking at him hopefully. "I promise I won’t cause any trouble."

"No."

"I will leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Alexander remained unmoved. "No."

Elowen puffed out her cheeks in frustration. "You’ve become even more heartless since moving out."

Alexander calmly sipped his tea as though he had heard nothing at all.