Page 10 of Alpha's Impostor Bride

“You have to eat,” she insists. “You have to take this, as well.”

I eye the small vial in her hand with some tired interest. “Is that poison for me?”

She frowns, displeased. “Of course not. It’s an antidote for the poison in your system. You were being fed poison in the East, Your Majesty.”

“Ah.” A glimmer of understanding. “I’m afraid that antidote won’t work on me.”

Harriet blinks. “I beg your pardon?”

I shrug, keeping my tone nonchalant. “I was fed that poison from a very young age. The king doesn’t have to worry; it hasn’t taken away my ability to bear children. Nor will I die from it. It was meant for an altogether different purpose. You shouldn’t waste the antidote on me. I’ve taken it a couple of times. It has no effect on me anymore.”

Harriet’s hand tightens around the vial. “Ma’am, who gave you the poison?”

I give her a small smile. “It’s not important anymore.”

I take off my crown, and as I do, I hear her ask, “Was it Princess Vivian?”

My body freezes at her question.

When I look at her, her voice is gentle. “I’m aware that you’re not the princess. King Cedric has appraised me of the situation.”

“I see.” My heart is thudding in my chest. “Then”—I glance at her, confused—“why are you treating me with so much respect? I don’t expect you to—”

“You are still a person, Your Majesty. And you’re the queen of this kingdom now, as well as the king’s fated mate. You are the strongest person in this kingdom after the king.”

Strongest, huh? I want to laugh. Instead, I look away. “Okay.”

“Would you mind telling me your name?”

“Vivian.”

She chuckles softly before kneeling by my side. “Your real name.”

I look at her, my heart aching as I whisper, “I don’t think I’m supposed to tell you that.”

“I am to be your most trusted maid, Your Majesty. Unless you give me a reason to, I will not betray you.”

I stare at her. I might get into trouble for this, but the idea of having my identity completely stripped from me is suddenly unbearable. A tear slips down my cheek as I answer hoarsely, “Leanna. Leanna Avery.”

“That’s a lovely name,” Harriet says kindly, and I nearly sob.

“I—Thank you.”

“Would you like to eat something, Miss Leanna?” My head jerks up at her use of my name, and she smiles. “When it’s just the two of us, would you like me to call you Miss Leanna?”

“Are you sure you won’t get in trouble?” I ask hesitantly.

Her smile broadens. “Of course not. Why don’t I fetch you something to eat, and then I will show you around the castle and the nearby villages?”

I nod.

“Bella Asher is going to be your royal assistant. Every queen has a personal maid and an assistant. Bella has been managing the affairs of the castle, but she is going to hand them over to you over time.”

I nod again.

Harriet gets up and pours me a glass of water. “I know King Cedric seems a little harsh, but he’ll come around eventually.”

I concentrate on the water. Come around to what? I remember the way he looked at me, the unconcealed disdain in his eyes. I know enough about the Northern Wolf Kingdom to know that they value the purity of blood. The royal family has never mated with commoners. I may have been taught everything Princess Vivian knew, but at the end of the day, my blood is not royal, and I am nothing but a mere substitute.

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