The Cursed Alpha Prince's Replacement Bride

{Third Person}

Across the table, Amara quietly watched the exchange. She had no intention of involving herself after all; this was a conversation between siblings. Still, looking at Elowen’s disappointed expression, she found herself hesitating.

The Princess had only just arrived. Shad spent the entire day with her, and truthfully, she would enjoy having her stay a little longer.

After debating with herself for several moments, she finally gathered the courage to speak. "Your Highness..."

Almost immediately, Alexander turned his attention to her. "So long as it isn’t too much trouble for you..." She hesitated briefly before continuing. "I don’t mind if Elowen stays for the night."

Alexander’s gaze remained on Amara longer than a few seconds, making the latter suddenly find herself wondering whether she should have kept quiet after all.

Just as she began regretting interrupting, he finally spoke. "...Very well."

Relief immediately spread across Elowen’s face. "Really?"

Alexander nodded once. "You may stay."

Elowen could hardly contain her excitement. "I knew you would eventually agree."

Alexander watched her calmly. "Don’t make a habit of sleeping over in my house. And I mean it."

Her smile immediately softened into an obedient one. "I won’t." She nodded earnestly. "I will only come once in a while."

Alexander accepted the answer without another comment.

The conversation naturally came to an end, and dinner continued in the same peaceful atmosphere as before.

The following morning passed just as quietly.

After breakfast, Elowen prepared to leave. As one of the staff carried her overnight bag toward the waiting car, she turned toward Amara with a bright smile.

"I will come again soon."

A big smile appeared on Amara’s face. "I will be looking forward to it."

Then Elowen glanced at Alexander. "The next time I come, I would like to take Amara sightseeing around the city."

Alexander looked at her briefly before giving a slight nod. "Mm."

Satisfied with the answer, she smiled. "Then it’s settled." She hugged Amara one last time before climbing into her car.

The vehicle slowly disappeared through the estate gates, leaving the house peaceful once again.

---

Time passed quickly.

By afternoon, Amara found herself standing outside Alexander’s study with the sealed letter clutched gently in her hands.

Jasper, who had led her there, stopped beside the closed door. "His Highness is inside."

Amara nodded. "Thank you."

Jasper gave a respectful bow before quietly taking his leave. After steadying herself, Amara raised her hand and knocked gently.

"Come in."

She slowly opened the door. Alexander was seated behind his desk, reading through several documents. He looked up as she entered.

She instinctively lowered her head. "Greetings, Your High—"

"You don’t need to."

She stopped mid-sentence and then, slowly, she looked back up at him. He had set the document aside.

"We are no longer at the palace." He spoke calmly. "When we are here, you don’t need to greet me with royal courtesy."

Amara’s brows furrowed lightly. She simply stood there, uncertain how to respond. "I..." She frowned slightly. "Then..." Her voice became noticeably smaller. "...how should I address you?"

Alexander did not answer immediately, leaving the study to fall completely silent. She held his gaze, waiting patiently. Several moments passed before he finally spoke.

"Alexander."

The single word struck her like a clap of thunder. Her eyes widened instantly. "W-What?"

She stared at him in disbelief. He wanted her... to call him by his name? In that moment, she genuinely wondered if she had misheard.

Seeing her frozen expression, Alexander calmly continued as though nothing unusual had been said.

"Put the letter on the desk." His eyes shifted briefly toward the envelope in her hands. "I will have it delivered."

Amara looked down at the letter as though only just remembering why she had come. "Oh..." She quickly stepped forward and carefully placed it on the desk. "T-Thank you."

He gave a slight nod before returning his attention to the documents before him.

Amara remained standing there for another brief second, still trying to process what had just happened. Then quietly, she excused herself and left the study. Only after the door had closed behind her did she realize that her thoughts were in complete disarray.

She walked slowly along the hallway without any clear destination in mind. The letter had been delivered. That should have been the only thing occupying her thoughts instead, one word continued to echo inside her head.

Alexander.

How was she supposed to call the Alpha Prince by his name? Even thinking about it made her heart race.

By the time she reached the end of the hallway, she still had no idea how she had managed to walk all the way there. Her mind remained hopelessly distracted, unable to think about anything except the conversation she had just had inside the study.

---

Amara did not realize how absent-minded she was until she reached her bedroom.

She pushed the door open almost mechanically before stepping inside, her thoughts still hopelessly tangled.

Without thinking, she walked past the sitting area and only stopped when Mrs. Woods, who had been arranging a few fresh flowers on the coffee table, noticed the unusual expression on her face.

The older woman immediately set the vase aside and walked over. "My Lady?"

Amara looked at her blankly, as though she had only just remembered where she was.

Mrs. Woods’ smile gradually faded into concern. "Is everything alright?"

Amara blinked but did not answer. Seeing her hesitation, Mrs. Woods could not help worrying. "Did... His Highness refuse to send your letter?"

The question finally pulled Amara completely out of her thoughts. She shook her head almost immediately. "No."

Mrs. Woods looked relieved. "Then what happened?"

Amara let out a slow breath before walking over to the sofa. She lowered herself onto it, still looking as though she was trying to make sense of something that had happened only moments earlier.

Mrs. Woods remained standing beside her, patiently waiting. After a long pause, Amara finally looked up at her.

"His Highness..." She hesitated again. "...told me to call him by his name whenever we’re in private."

Mrs. Woods stared at her, her lashes fluttering. "...Eh?"

The single sound she made came out almost automatically, her face showing pure disbelief.

Amara gave a helpless nod. "He said I no longer have to observe royal formalities when we’re at home."

Mrs. Woods continued staring at her.

Thinking that perhaps she had not explained herself clearly enough, Amara repeated herself. "He wants me to address him by his name."

Then, quite suddenly, the look of astonishment on Mrs. Woods face disappeared. In its place came a broad, delighted smile.

"My Lady..." She clasped her hands together happily. "This is a good thing."

Amara looked at her in confusion. "A good thing?"

"Of course." Mrs. Woods nodded enthusiastically before taking the seat opposite her. "Do you know what this means?"

Amara slowly shook her head.

Mrs. Woods smiled even more warmly. "It means His Highness is beginning to lower the walls between the two of you."

Amara looked puzzled. "I don’t understand."

Mrs. Woods chuckled softly. "Think about it, My Lady. Formalities create distance between people. They are necessary in the palace because everyone has to observe rank and status. But here..."

She looked around the spacious bedroom before smiling. "...this is your home." Then she turned back to Amara. "When a husband tells his wife to stop addressing him so formally, it means he no longer wishes for there to be that kind of distance between them."

Amara’s eyes gradually widened.

Mrs. Woods continued gently, "Dropping formalities is often the very first step for a husband and wife to grow closer to one another."

The words settled over the room.

Amara just stared at the older woman. Her lips parted ever so slightly then her jaw slowly dropped.