Chapter 1

“Are you sure you want to use this transformation serum?” Edna grabbed Allure’s wrist, stopping her from drinking the contents of the vial. “I mean, Prince Regan has never met Lily. So, it’s impossible that he would recognise her. Even if he does, that Lycan Prince won’t mind the swap. After all, being married to the legitimate daughter of Alpha Rhysand is more profitable than marrying the daughter of a maid. Why go to such lengths just for the sake of a political marriage?”

“I don’t care about some damn political marriage. I agreed to switch places with Lily just to satisfy my curiosity. Once I have my answers, I will vanish like wisps of smoke.”

“As for the serum,” Allure freed the vial from Edna’s grip and swirled its contents slowly. “I have to drink it. Even if it’s just an act, everything should be done with perfection.”

“Since you have already decided who am I to stop you?” Edna pursed her lips and bowed from her waist. “Please pardon me for my intrusion, Miss Allure. This won’t happen again.”

“Hey, don’t be like that.” Allure made a cute face and batted her eyes pleadingly. “If you act like a stranger, who will help me with the rest of the plan?”

Edna narrowed her eyes and stared at Allure for a long moment before shaking her head helplessly, “Fine, I will make the rest of the arrangements. Irwin and I will follow you as your personal servants to the palace.”

“Perfect!” Allure threw her arms around Edna and chirped joyfully. “I knew you wouldn’t let me down. You are the only one in the world who understands me.”

That evening, an entourage of fifty red cars came to receive Allure from the Blood Moon Packhouse. The sight of the fifty red cars parked in a neat line created a dazzling display against the backdrop of the setting sun. Their sleek exteriors shimmered with an air of opulence, while the low hum of their engines hinted at power waiting to be unleashed.

“Not bad.” Allure let out a soft whistle. Her lips bloomed into a quirky smile as she walked towards the car in the centre, followed by her retinue of servants and guards. “At least the journey won’t be boring.”

“Don’t tell me you are planning to….” Edna’s eyes widened in horror and she grabbed her hand. “Allure, please… you can’t do that….”

“Why? Just because I am the bride?” Allure bit her lower lip and shook her head. “There is no way I can sit still in a car and drive quietly with such a lineup. I need to do this.”

Before Edna could say anything else, Allure freed herself from Edna’s grip and ran over to the man dressed in the black suit. “You are in charge here, aren’t you?”

“Yes, Miss Lily.”

“It should be Mrs. Smith. I might not have entered the palace, but the pact’s been sealed with our blood. Technically, I am Regan’s wife now.”

The man’s expression darkened, and something flickered in his eyes. However, he was quick to regain his composure.

“Please forgive my lack of foresight, Mrs. Smith.” Bowing from his waist, the man introduced himself. “I am Eric Cooper, Prince Regan’s assistant. Prince Regan sends his apologies for not coming to receive you personally.”

“Let’s not waste time on these formalities.” Allure waved him off and turned her attention back to the cars. “I just want to know if your drivers can compare to professionals.”

“Sorry?”

“I mean, can they drive fast through difficult terrains?”

“I guess so. They are all well trained to react to emergencies.”

“Perfect. Tell your men to prepare. If they don’t give me a tough competition during the race, I will have them all punished after reaching the palace.”

“Wait!” Eric blocked Allure’s way before she could get into the driver’s seat of the car. “I didn’t quite get you, Mrs. Smith.”

“What’s there not to understand? The drive from the Blood Moon Packhouse to the palace will take at least six hours. You can’t expect me to just sit like a doll for such a long duration.” She pushed Eric out of the way and walked to the driver’s seat. “Let’s race. It will be faster and more fun.”

“Mrs. Smith….” Eric could only watch her with a dumbfounded expression as Allure got into the driver’s seat. He looked at Edna with a distressed expression, silently begging for help. Edna shook her head, mouthed a sorry and got into the passenger seat.

Helpless, he could only turn to Allure’s father. “Alpha Rhysand, please talk some sense into your daughter. She is now Prince Regan’s wife. How can she act in such an uncouth manner? What will people say if they find out….”  

“When did it become your turn to comment on my daughter’s behaviour? If she wants to race, just accommodate her. Can’t you even do this much for the happiness of your future queen?”

“But….”

Vroom! Allure’s car whizzed past Eric, putting an end to the conversation. Allure peeped out of the window and waved, “If you guys don’t start now, the distance between us will become unsurmountable.”

“I had thought that Regan is crazy, but this woman is crazier.” Letting out a sigh of defeat, Eric commanded, “Follow Mrs. Smith’s car and flank her. We need to make sure that she reaches the palace safely.”

“You shouldn’t have done that, Allure.” Edna chided as they drove along the winding road. “You shouldn’t have picked on that guy, Eric. After all, the Regan Palace is his domain. Now that we have pissed him off, he will make things difficult for us.”

“Do you think they won’t make things difficult if we remain laid back? This is just a political marriage. Regan won’t bother supporting me. He might even create troubles to torment me.” Allure pulled out a bubble gum and stuffed it into her mouth. “Since we are destined to be at loggerheads, we might as well be unrestrained and enjoy ourselves.”

Five hours later, a single red car came to a screeching halt in front of the Regan Palace. The Regan Palace was an imposing structure spread out over several hectares, oozing with grandeur and class. Its exquisite architecture and artistic design boasted decades of history. However, there seemed to be something missing. It seemed too cold and desolate for a place occupied by so many people.

“It’s so cumbersome to wear a dress while racing,” Allure grumbled as she stepped out of the car and turned to look at the back of her dress that was crumpled. “The next time I wear a dress, remember to carry a leather outfit with you so that I can change any time.”

“Didn’t you say earlier that you wanted the act to be perfect?” Edna walked out of the car, adjusted the pleats of her long red dress, and fixed her veil. “Why did you suddenly choose to race? Lily wouldn’t do something so reckless.”

“It’s impossible for me to act like a gentle doll. So, I changed my mind.” Allure looked around with nonchalance and walked popped a bubble. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Just follow my lead.”

“Report to your prince that his bride is here.” Allure walked over to the guard and spoke with a certain amount of disdain in her tone. “Will he receive me at the gate, or am I supposed to just walk in?”

“Mrs. Smith…. This….” The guard got all flustered and bowed from his waist. “Please pardon us for the lack of reception. We didn’t expect you to arrive so soon.” Fidgeting with his fingers, he asked hesitantly. “Didn’t an elite entourage go to the Blood Moon pack to escort you? If you don’t mind, can I ask where they are?”

“They must be on their way. With their speed, it will take them at least an hour more to arrive. Don’t tell me that I have to wait here till they all arrive.”

“Of course not, Mrs. Smith,” a tall, hunky man came running out of the gate and bowed to Allure. “I am Ronald Black, the chief of security. Prince Regan has ordered me to escort you to the Rosewood Pavillion. The ceremony will proceed once everyone is here.”

“Alright, lead the way.”

Allure signalled Edna and Irwin to follow as walked after Ronald. However, before Edna and Irwin could take a single stepped another guard blocked their way. “Rosewood Pavillion is a place reserved for royal members. You both can’t go there. Please follow me to the servant’s quarters.”

“I grew up with Mrs. Smith. So, we are more like sisters. Can you make an exception and let me follow her?” Edna handed the guard a pouch filled with gold coins. “I am afraid she won’t feel comfortable in an unfamiliar environment without anyone by her side.”

“What in the hell are you trying to do?” The guard gasped in horror and threw away the pouch. “It’s Prince Regan’s direct order that Mrs. Smith should go alone. My entire family will be slaughtered if I go against it. So, please don’t make things difficult and come with us.”

“If you don’t want to help me, then don’t. Why are you making up such ridiculous excuses?” Edna snorted and picked up the pouch. “I never heard anyone receiving capital punishment for such a minor crime.”

“What do you know? There is no dearth of people getting killed for the slightest mistakes in this palace. Just yesterday, Prince Regan executed a woman because she served him the wrong dish.”

“Shawn is right. I saw Prince Regan kill her with my own eyes.” The other guard standing next to the pillar supplied, trembling with fear, “You are new here, so it’s natural that you don’t know about Prince Regan’s true nature. He might look handsome, but he is cold, arrogant, and ruthless. He can slaughter an entire village just because he is unhappy. The only way to stay safe in this palace is to stay out of his way and follow all his orders.”

“I am worried about Allure… I mean Lily,” Edna whispered to Irwin as they followed the guard reluctantly. “If Prince Regan is as heartless as they are saying, it will be difficult for her to deal with him alone. We need to find a way to reunite with her after entering the palace.”