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.

lunchbox and utensils. The scent of rice hit my nose, and before I realized it, I was devouring the

of a better word, every person involved with the Trials on this

queen died and

He looked exhausted.

Trial,

we wouldn't have to do the Tri but both sides of the

measures.

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 slowly,

still surviving if you aren't really...

the day?" He sighed. "We are carried forward more by the hope that we will be reunited with

I nodded slowly.

this

the woman,

gave birth to

lips twitched

"My father's brother."

both seem more worn down every

be expected. He's their

his head. "Well, Your

"It's Morgan

taken up odd jobs to

holding up his end of the bargain,

though in this

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

collapse as well as it has no working capital." "So it's true..." Despair threatened to engulf me. Ryuyama Silks and Tailoring had been part of the family for generations. They said that we used to dress the imperial family.

the robes behind as the fabric

took

at wherever they take payments

and

3/5

empty container,

them the information to

Hiro's care and up through

heart felt a bit relieved, knowing that I had a 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

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

return home

head snagged

passed through the vell with ease, but it