The Alpha's Replacement Bride

Crown Prince Ezekiel

Talent.

Harriet sat on her horse, which stood beside the Emperor's horse.

And he stood on the ground, in his azure robes and the crown of the Crown Prince. Ezekiel Euclase, the emperor's only son.

Even in the eyes of the Crown Prince like him, it was clear that Harriet Goldlane's presence by the Emperor's side was irreplaceable.

Ezekiel Euclase's eyes opened. Dawn in the capital's sky was already breaking, as the sun began to appear. Ezekiel got off his bed and rubbed his face.

Harriet would also attend today's court meeting; after a year, the woman left the capital to become the ruler of the West Fort Region with her brother.

Ezekiel got dressed and prepared himself. His steps were followed by a row of servants and assistants heading to the throne room where the meeting was to be held. In the long hallway, he saw a woman strolling, looking to the side of the garden. That woman was Harriet Goldlane.

Harriet Goldlane always looked beautiful in stunning dresses and had neat hair in a bun decorated with gold and gems. No one could deny that she was well-dressed and capable of being a perfect noble.

She was like precious metal cast in a mold, born instantly perfect with all her talents and powers. Behind Harriet, followed by a dozen Lycans, was a man Ezekiel recognized as Old Duke Almandine's trusted assistant.

Ezekiel furrowed his brows. So, the woman had already managed to grip the new power.

As they passed, automatically, like a programmed robot, Harriet Goldlane bowed respectfully. There was no flaw in her movement. Ezekiel nodded in response.

"Harriet Goldlane presents her greeting to the Dragon's Son, His Highness the Crown Prince," Harriet didn't even change her expression.

"It's a surprise to see you back," said Ezekiel flatly. Even though he said he was surprised, he didn't show his surprise.

Harriet smiled gently in her unique way. Ezekiel recognized it as the woman's perfect business smile.

"Please," Ezekiel held out his hand to offer to escort her to the meeting room, and Harriet didn't refuse. This made Ezekiel slightly move his eyebrows in displeasure.

Harriet herself didn't change her smile at all; she was unpredictable.

"I heard you just got married," said Ezekiel.

"I'm honored that Your Highness is concerned about my marriage," Harriet said softly.

"Of course," said Ezekiel. "I commend how the Marchioness turned a bad situation into an advantage. Everyone saw the misfortune of your brother becoming a monster, but instead, you saw the opportunity to become the wife of a dying old man and heir to the Duchy."

Silence.

The Lycans behind Harriet heard it and widened their eyes in surprise at the rudeness of Ezekiel's words. However, Ezekiel and Harriet were still strolling side by side. Harriet turned and showed a smile that didn't change or waver to the Lycans escorting her from behind, calming them down.

"The next step is just to wait for those old farts to die, and you'll take over everything, won't you?" quipped Ezekiel.

Harriet chuckled.

"You are right. After my husband and His Grace Old Duke pass away, I will be the Matriarch, the sole head of the Duchy until my son grows up," said Harriet calmly.

Ezekiel waited for Harriet to speak again to deny his words, but Harriet remained silent. The woman stared ahead without hesitation as if not taking his provocation. 

Did this woman admit it?

The Crown Prince was astonished. Harriet dared to say such a thing calmly in front of the Old Duke's men?

Harriet's words also took aback the Lycans. But it was a fact, and that didn't mean what Harriet said insulted anyone. Harriet had become the Luna, and the Old Duke, their Alpha, chose her as Almandine's daughter-in-law. 

Ezekiel's provoking words couldn't shake that fact, and all of the Lycans had accepted Harriet as their new Luna once Harriet climbed the tower into the Young Lord's room.

As they reached the corridor near the throne room, Harriet unlinked her hand from Ezekiel's arm. 

"Your Highness, I hope you said all of that just to hurt my heart, not to antagonize me and Almandine Duchy in the future," Harriet said calmly.

Looking straight into the eyes of Ezekiel, who was surprised at her words, Harriet smiled gently. 

"I hope that, as the future Emperor and future Duchess, we can work together well and professionally without grudges or prejudice," she continued softly.

Harriet bowed perfectly and entered the throne room, followed by her Lycan guards.

Ezekiel was rooted to the spot with an angry face. Staring at Harriet's back, he remembered how calm she had been in the face of his provocations. He remembered how perfect that woman's answer was to his stunts and how she ignored them in a way that avoided offending him.

A perfect noblewoman whom his father wanted to sit on the highest throne, Harriet Goldlane. 

A woman who could work based on her perfect senses and had almost no personal feelings involved at all.

Ezekiel hated Harriet Goldlane. Was she even still human? Wasn't she more like a heartless monster? How could a young woman like her face such a provocation calmly as if it was nothing?

Maybe if it were other people, they would think Harriet was a wonderful woman. But why didn't they believe Harriet was too per?

Now that she was Almandine's daughter-in-law and would become a future Duchess, it would be even more impossible for Ezekiel to surpass her. That woman would shine even more once she got her stage.

And Ezekiel was worried that now that she had real monsters in her hands, she would be further away from humanity and threaten all peace on this continent.

Harriet Goldlane was too dangerous.

As he expected, he had to cut off her influence on this continent before it was too late. If his father couldn't see the danger Harriet could bring to this continent, then he would force him to.

He would force everyone to see how terrifying the demon behind the beautiful mask was.