The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 7

CH7

Morgan

My heart hammered a frantic rhythm against my ribs as I debated whether to run or not. Did he recognize me? Was he here to force me back? If he was, would I survive it the second time?

My blood ran cold when our eyes met. What should I do? His gaze drifted over me, taking in my wet clothes, and he set the clipboard down. Every muscle in my body tensed, ready to bolt. But he smiled and bowed his head.

"Your Majesty, a pleasure to see you..." His voice was surprisingly gentle. His eyes were bright and excited. I stayed where I was, wondering how he knew who I was given the makeshift hood and veil.

"I suppose... you will want to speak about your relative's care?"

"Why are you here?" I managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He sighed, turning back toward my brother.

"I work here, Your M-"

"Cut the shit," I hissed.

He shook his head and turned back to me, his gaze holding a strange mix of weariness and.... pleading?

"We... we're not what you think, Morgan. The Trial is... more complicated than you think."

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Visitor hours are-"

"It's alright," he said to the nurse behind me. "I'm making an exception for her. I'll escort her out when we're done."

I heard her shuffle away. I closed the door behind me. Before I could speak, a pang of hunger twisted in my stomach. I winced at the pain. It had been three weeks since the Trial in my realm and barely a day in the other. Either way, it had been too long since I'd eaten. "I'd be honored to give you my meal," he said, nodding towards the bag sitting on the rolling table. "You must be hungry."

CH7

"And you?"

A sad smile touched his lips. "Human food does little for my appetite. Keeping our queen strong. however, could go a long way toward fixing that."

I frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"Eat, and we'll talk. Please?"

I approached the side of the bed and looked down at my brother. He was pale, but he seemed to be breathing fine.

and utensils. The scent of rice hit my nose, and before

with the

and the

He looked exhausted.

Trial,

besides finding another queen, we wouldn't have to do the Tri but both sides of

measures.

down at the lunch. The beef and rice were delicious. My stomach stopped rumbling, and my initial wariness was replaced by a wave of unexpected sympathy. Trapped, starving, and seemingly helpless-I could understand why

"I didn't know."

has made it easier to blend in. We age

still surviving if you aren't really... sustained

to help. It's getting smaller by the day?" He sighed. "We are carried forward more by the hope that we will be reunited with our families

I nodded slowly.

is this boy to

nodded. "Then, the woman, Adele, must

gave birth

twitched

"My father's brother."

It it is any consolation, they both seem more worn

"That's... to be expected. He's their

his head.

"It's Morgan

it that they've taken up odd

was holding up his end of the

seemingly charmed. "Ael, though in this town, I am called

for looking after my brother, Ael." I continued to eat. "What else can you tell me?

chance that your brother's care will stop at the end of this month as they have already been behind on the payments for the past three weeks. I've been told that your family's business is in danger of collapse as well as it has no working capital." "So it's true..." Despair threatened to

instinct not to leave the robes behind as the

I took a

we stop off at wherever they take

blinked and nodded.

3/5

container, and led me back downstairs. When

the information to my bank account to pay

and up through the end of the

little more time to figure out what to do going forward. I followed Ael out of the hospital. I walked out the front door with Ael and stood under the front entrance's

said, breaking the silence. "Do you plan to open

return home

head snagged up.

"You passed through the vell with ease, but it is still closed to the