The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 10

The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

CH10

Morgan

Crown Prince Fake Sleeper went pale and still mid-snarl, but I kept my eyes on Doctor Shang, He was the most important person right now.

"Doctor Shang?" A muffled voice called from the other side. "I've brought His Highness, Prince Keiji, and Lady Ari to see His Highness. Are you nearly done?"

The crown prince's eyes widened. I put my hand on the doorknob. I locked eyes with him, and he bared his teeth. I held his gaze evenly. He clenched his hands at his sides and started shaking. His cheeks darkened, and his eyes started to glow. "No, but I can pause here. Have them wait a moment so I can redress him," Doctor Shang called out. I watched the soft haze around the room shimmer when he spoke.

I'd spent the last two days in the human realm pouring over all the texts after I'd gone to the Ryuyama family vault for the coinage. They'd mentioned privacy barriers, and ho palace, I could cast one on any room inside that only I could manipulate. The queen is the keeper of imperial secrets.

"Of course, Doctor Shang, please take your time."

inside the

Fake Sleeper locked eyes with me for a tense moment, then did something unexpected. Baring his teeth in a silent snarl, he retreated back to the bed and took up his usual place on it. With a flick of his wrist, Doctor Shang sent the striking dummy back into the closet and closed the door. Before he stepped to the door, I stopped him and lowered my voice, willing a privacy barrier between the antechamber and Fake Sleeper's bedroom.

He glanced up and around with shock in his eyes.

I gave him the pages. "If gold won't do it, perhaps this will."

He frowned and looked down. His eyes darted over the sheet. He went pale as a ghost before looking back at me. His eyes glossed over. I could see the moment he'd made his decision. He stuck-out his hand, and I gave him my brother's records. He folded them all and tucked them into pulling up a hood to cover

his robe. I released the privacy barrier and stepped away from the door

my face in case they came in.

He

opened the door just enough to lean out and give them a view of the crown prince still in bed. I closed my eyes, breathing softly and focusing on keeping them from hearing me. Dragonkind

The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

CH10

Morgan

Crown Prince Fake Sleeper went pale and still mid-snarl, but I kept my eyes on Doctor Shang. He was the most important person right now.

"Doctor Shang?" A muffled voice called from the other side. "I've brought His Highness, Prince Keiji, and Lady Ari to see His Highness. Are you nearly done?"

prince's eyes widened. I put my hand on the doorknob. I locked eyes with him, and he bared his teeth. I held his gaze evenly. He clenched his hands at his sides and started shaking. His cheeks darkened, and his eyes started to glow. "No, but I can pause here. Have them wait a moment so I can redress him," Doctor Shang called out. I watched the soft haze around

the Ryuyama family vault for the coinage. They'd mentioned privacy barriers, and how, inside the palace, I

Shang, please take

retreated back to the bed and took up his usual place on it. With a flick of his wrist, Doctor

glanced up and around with shock

gold won't do it, perhaps this

Her

He stuck out his hand, and I gave him my brother's records. He folded them all and tucked them into his robe. I released the

in case they came

to lean out and give them a view of the crown prince still in bed. I

1/4 CHTO

of abilities that others of this realm

side told me

about this," he said, exasperated. "And Your Highness, you know that medical examinations like the one His

almost whining. "Having that

cannot undo centuries of

"Can't we see him?"

Shang said. "I'm in the middle of

to come as soon as you're done. We'll

I would advise you to to at least

Doctor Shang. Do you

and have her knock when

ith His

closed the door. His privacy barrier went up over the door, and he leaned against it, pressing his hand against his chest where he'd tucked the documents. "Is it true?" he whispered almost too softly to

How much

of bed, rushing across

snarled at me. "Who do you think you are to

warned you, didn't I-"

couldn't watch your food and drink, and thousands of people have suffered for it, and you think you have the high ground

"You should be honored-"

not!" I screamed. "Why

Oct

CH10

the air around

Doctor

in between us, holding up his hands. "Both of you calm down... Tsuneo, you will make your condition

I could see it in his face. He eyed the distance between him, me, and Doctor Shang with his eyes. Doctor Shang

explain a damn thing."

"Your Majesty-"

don't, hm? Kill me? I wonder how many

find someone else."