The Alpha’s Substitute Bride

Our father, Eses, the God of Skies, was clearly surprised to hear what my sister and I said.

"Are you sure? You two have followed Guerrian and Dexaldir everywhere since childhood."

"We're sure, Father."

When we left the Celestial Palace with the imperial decree in hand, my sister and I finally lost the composure that we had been forcing ourselves to keep.

We hugged each other.

My sister, Azena, wiped away my tears. "Bydona, don't cry. This is our chance at revenge."

Then, a few celestial lords approached us with smiles.

"Congratulations, Lady Azena, Lady Bydona. Your dreams are about to come through."

"Two imperial weddings at the Celestial Skies at once. This has never happened before."

Before we could reply, we heard yelling coming from nearby.

"I told you to slow down! Why are you running so quickly?!"

Guerrian, the God of War, was carrying Seraphine in his arms. Although he was scolding her, the worry in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Seraphine stuck her tongue out cheekily. "Guerrian, I'm fine. It's just a minor injury."

Guerrian placed her on a bench. Then, he bent down and blew gently on the wound on her knee.

Dexaldir, the Keeper of Fate, quickly ran over as well. His expression became concerned when he saw the injury on Seraphine's leg.

He reached out to pinch Seraphine on the cheek and asked dotingly, "Can you promise to be more careful in the future?"

"Yes, Dexaldir. You and Guerrian can stop nagging me."

Dexaldir sighed. Then, he carefully applied medicine to the wound. Worried that it would hurt her, he blew on it carefully.

Witnessing the entire scene, the celestial lords who had just congratulated us exchanged awkward smiles before quickly excusing themselves.

Everyone in the entire Celestial Skies knew that I liked Guerrian, while Azena liked Dexaldir.

However, everyone also knew that Guerrian and Dexaldir were close to a flower nymph, Seraphine.

Many had even secretly placed bets to see if Azena and I would actually get what we wanted.

Seraphine looked over, and our eyes met.

She immediately pushed Guerrian and Dexaldir aside and knelt to the ground, ignoring her injuries.

"L-Lady Bydona, I've finished cleaning the palace and planted the flowers like you asked! I-I wasn't slacking off!"

Guerrian and Dexaldir looked at Azena and I with resentment in their gazes.

"Seraphine, your leg is still injured. Why are you kneeling?"

Dexaldir tried to pull her up, but Seraphine would not budge.

Guerrian clenched his fists and looked at me. "Is this how you usually treat Seraphine?"

He continued, "You're even following me! We're not married yet! Don't treat me like you own me!"

Dexaldir looked at Azena with equal contempt. "It's one thing for Bydona to do this. Why did you learn from her to stalk me as well?"

I opened my mouth, but before I could retort, Seraphine started prostrating herself, knocking her forehead on the ground constantly as if I had truly mistreated her.

"Lady Bydona, Lady Azena, I-I'm s-sorry. I know you're mad. Thank you, Lord Guerrian, Lord Dexaldir. I-I'll leave at once."

When getting up, the pain caused her eyes to redden instantly. She bit her lips, not daring to make a single sound.

She had just taken a step back when Guerrian grabbed her by the arm, saying, "Seraphine, don't go. Don't cry. Tell me, do the two of them often pick on you?"

Seraphine bit her lips and shook her head.

Dexaldir spotted the imperial decree in Azena's hand.

He said impatiently, "Azena, you've already gotten what you wanted, but you'll never be able to control my thoughts or my heart.

"It would be better if we kept our distance. Don't try to change anything. This marriage is something you forced upon me. This is the price you'll have to accept."

Then, he picked Seraphine up.

Seraphine suddenly clutched her chest. Her face paled.

"Seraphine!"

"Seraphine! Are you alright?"

Both men looked extremely worried. Guerrian held Seraphine's hand tightly.

Azena and I swapped glances. We could not be bothered by their entire act, so we thought of leaving.

That somehow seemed to infuriate Guerrian. He called out after me and said, "Bydona, you want to marry me? Sure, but at the same time, I'll be marrying Seraphine too. I'll inform the God of Skies myself. You'd better not cause any trouble. If not, I'll call off the marriage. The entire Celestial Skies will feel my wrath!"

To have said such words so casually… Guerrian had completely forgotten his responsibility as the God of War.

I was blind to have fallen for such a man in the past.

Dexaldir looked at Guerrian and sighed. "You're the God of War. Seraphine would indeed be safer with you. Bydona, listen to Guerrian. Ticking him off will do you no good."

Their tone was so condescending, as if they were doing us a favor.

I snickered and plainly replied, "Sure."

My calm tone forced Guerrian to swallow the words he had been prepared to spit out. He looked at me incredulously, thinking that I was throwing a tantrum.

"What are you playing at? Seraphine once saved my life. Now that she's weak, shouldn't I be responsible for looking after her? If everyone in the Celestial Skies were as cold and heartless as you, this place would be no different than the Phlegethon Legion!"

Ignoring him, Azena and I turned around and left.