Prologue

"Welcome family, friends, and subjects! We have come together today to witness the promises in marriage of King Lucius Ramon Farneit and Princess Penelope Selene Laince."

Out of all of the smiling faces around me, I'm sure I'm the only one feeling beside myself with fear.

"This commitment is between two people who wish to share each other's lives, who will grow and change in the years to come, welcoming each other's growth with mutual love and respect."

I shouldn't be here. The one who should be--the real Penelope--high tailed it out of the kingdom in the early hours of the day; leaving me to pick up her responsibility.

As the high priest of the Farneit kingdom, I am duly authorized by law to solemnize marriages according to law and to officiate at your marriage today. I take this opportunity to wish you both much happiness in your future lives together."

My real name is Beau Colette Laince, and I'm Penelope's twin sister. Due to my weak constitution and randomly occurring tremors, I've been kept out of the public eye since the day I was born.

I guess that's why they could switch us without anyone noticing. Father told me I have to do this, for the people. He said the man in front of me, would burn our kingdom to the ground if we didn't marry. The only option with Penelope gone was for me to finally leave the dark, cramped room they kept me in to marry him. But, I didn't agree to do this. I turned father down, trying to offer different ways to settle this. However, despite that, I still ended up here.

"Lucius and Penelope, do you declare before me and before your witnesses here present, that you come here voluntarily and without reservation and that you are free by law to be married to each other today?"

No! I haven't.

I opened my mouth to say no, but it moved against my will.

"Yes, I do."

No! That's not what I wanted to say!

"Yes, I do." Lucius said, his piercing amber eyes glowing ferociously as he did. There was a twinkle of excitement in them as the words rolled off his lips.

He looks happy to marry Penelope. To be honest, I can't blame him. She's known as the beauty of the Laince Kingdom. With golden tresses, a slim figure, and tranquil pink eyes, she could enchant anyone. Her studies of botany also hailed her as a medicinal genius. While I am just the embarrassment of the royal family.

What will he do when he discovers I'm none of the above?

"Before you light the sacred flame to signify the union of your families in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage, according to the law in Farneit, is irrevocable and shall be in place until the day you both perish from this world and join the great goddess Valencia in the afterlife."

Lucius grabbed one of the candlesticks on the table in front of us. There were three: two skinny candlesticks, and one larger one. I hadn't noticed them because I was lost in thought over the situation. The priest coughed, ushering me to pick up the candlestick in front of me. I tried not to, but once again, my body moved on its own.

Lucius turned to me and held his candle out. I held mine out as well, letting the flames join as one. We turned to the third candlestick and lit it together. The flame turned into a giant fire that towered above us and roared loudly.

I've never seen something so magnificent.

"It's like that because of the high level of magical affinity I have. It's huge isn't it?" Lucius chuckled.

"Y-you did that?" I beamed, "How amazing!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, Lucius and Penelope have declared before all of us that they now wish to live and love together in marriage. Let us hope this day will form a milestone in your lives, one that you will look back upon with much joy and happiness. It therefore gives me great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. Congratulations, you may now both seal the agreement with a kiss."

A kiss?!

I've never had one before! I've only heard servants passing by my room talk about it.

I panicked as he leaned in close to me. His eyes stared directly into mine and his dark hair fell gracefully into his face as he pulled me close.

What do I do?!

I looked down to see my hands shaking.

Oh no! Not here.

He stopped short of giving me a kiss, noticing my hands. I hid them behind my back but you could still notice the shaking in my shoulders.

Why are my tremors starting up now?

In front of all these people!

Please...body...stop.

I could hear whispers fly around the room. Guests began to discuss if I had some type of affliction or illness.

This is embarrassing...I want to go back to my room.

I turned to father; his head sank into his hands.

I looked up at Lucius who was staring at me. His expression looked perplexed; shocked by the sudden occurrence of it. I turned away, preparing to run but he pulled me into the kiss. His arms wrapped around mine, shielding the crowd from seeing my tremors. As he pulled away he whispered to me.

"There's no need to be nervous. They'll only be watching this one time."

Oh...

He thinks I'm just nervous.

"L-Ladies and Gentleman, King Lucius Ramon Farneit and Queen Penelope Selene Laince!"

The crowd confusedly cheered, still taken aback by what they had seen but choosing to ignore it. Father cheered with a grin. His plan to use me as a replacement has won the safety of the kingdom.

"You did well." Lucius whispered, leading me down the aisle "I'll keep my word to your father and leave your little kingdom out of my conquest."

Now, instead of being trapped in a room, I'll be trapped in marriage.