The Substitute Bride

Impostor bride taking her sister's place x scheming crown prince who protects his wife

Married first, in love later / mutual devotion / hidden agendas

My sister eloped with her lover the night before her wedding, leaving me, her replacement, to take her place and marry into the Eastern Palace.

My sister and I looked about seventy or eighty percent alike. I planned to get through the ceremony with this face and find another way out once things settled down.

On our wedding night, I clutched the calming needle hidden in my sleeve and lowered my eyes, afraid to look at the crown prince and worried he'd see through my disguise.

But he lifted my veil, his warm breath brushing my ear, and chuckled. “Why bother? You've clearly liked me since we were young.”

One word, “A-Zhao,” shattered every bit of my disguise. It was a childhood nickname only I had. He'd already seen through my identity, even noticing the little movements I made to hide the needle.

I was so frightened that I knelt to beg forgiveness, but he gently helped me up. His fingertips traced the back of my hand, his tone both teasing and certain. “Who do you think helped your sister escape?”

Theme: Love crosses mountains and seas