As Alexander was about to board the carriage, his mother handed him a small, orange-filled bottle. "You'll need this," she said. "Drink it, and your voice will become feminine, so no one at the palace will suspect you're a man, especially not the 3rd prince."
Alexander took the bottle, his eyes fixed on the mysterious liquid. His mother spoke again, "The potion will only last for three days, so write to me, and I'll send more to the palace."
Alexander nodded silently, his mind racing with thoughts of the deception he was about to embark on. He boarded the carriage, its bright blue color a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside him. The carriage door closed, and Alexander was alone, the small bottle clutched in his hand.
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*The Royal Wedding*
At Windsor Castle, the king summoned the 3rd prince, Henry, to await the arrival of his bride-to-be, Princess Sophia. The queen spoke to Henry, her voice filled with warmth. "My dear son, aren't you delighted that your long-awaited marriage to Princess Sophia is finally taking place?"
Henry smiled, his eyes sparkling with joy, as he recalled the childhood proposal he made to Sophia. She had been overjoyed, and Henry's heart had been filled with love for her. He replied to the queen, his voice sincere. "I'm thrilled, my beloved queen."
Henry was a kind and compassionate person, loved by many in the palace. Though not exceptionally handsome, his cute face, charming smile, and gentle nature had won the hearts of those around him. The palace staff and servants adored him, and they were overjoyed when they learned that he was to be married. They hoped that Sophia would appreciate Henry's goodness and not hurt him.
As Henry waited for Sophia's arrival, he felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. Little did he know that the person he was about to marry was not the real Sophia, but her twin brother, Alexander, disguised as the princess.
Alexander, dressed in a stunning yellow gown, his silver hair curled and loose, made a grand entrance into the palace. His piercing gaze swept across the room, meeting the eyes of the royal family and guests gathered before him. Henry, standing at the center, looked utterly bewildered, his eyes shining with a mix of surprise and wonder.
Alexander, maintaining his disguise as Sophia, remained composed, his expression serene. Henry, however, couldn't hide his astonishment. He remembered Sophia as a petite, smiling girl, but the person standing before him now was a statuesque beauty with an enigmatic gaze.
Henry's eyes roved over Sophia's face, searching for a glimpse of the girl he once knew. But Alexander's mask remained intact, revealing nothing. The air was thick with tension as the two locked eyes, the silence between them palpable.
The guests and royalty watched with bated breath, sensing the undercurrents of this encounter. They knew that this marriage was a union of politics and power, but they couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay hidden beneath the surface.
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*The Royal Wedding Ceremony*
Henry approached Alexander and gently took his hand, leading him to the altar where the king and queen awaited. Alexander remained silent, his expression unreadable, while Henry beamed with joy.
As Henry kissed Alexander's hand as a sign of respect, Alexander's eyebrows furrowed in irritation. He glanced away, struggling to maintain his composure. He reminded himself that he was pretending to be Sophia and couldn't afford to arouse suspicion.
"How are you, my princess?" Henry asked, his voice filled with warmth and happiness. Alexander hesitated for a moment, collecting his thoughts before responding in a soft, feminine voice.
"I'm the same as always, my beloved prince," Alexander replied, forcing a gentle smile onto his lips. He hoped that his disguise would remain convincing, at least for the duration of the ceremony. Little did he know, this was only the beginning of a complex web of deception and intrigue.
...
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*An Uncomfortable Encounter*
As the wedding ceremony came to a close, Alexander excused himself to take a walk outside the palace, seeking some fresh air to clear his head. However, Henry trailed closely behind him, a perpetual smile plastered on his face.
"Where are you headed, my bride? Let me carry you; I know you must be tired from standing for so long," Henry said, his voice dripping with affection.
Alexander's irritation grew, and he couldn't help but snap at Henry. "Can you even lift me? I'm taller than you, after all," Alexander retorted, his voice cold and laced with annoyance.
Henry's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, his expression turning sheepish. "Ah, yes, of course, you're right. I forgot about that," Henry said, his voice tinged with embarrassment.
Alexander's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. He couldn't believe he was stuck with this man, who seemed to be oblivious to his growing discomfort. Little did Henry know, Alexander's annoyance was only the beginning of a tumultuous relationship.