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?"

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

mentioned privacy barriers, and how, inside the palace, I could cast one on any room inside

Doctor Shang, please take your

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

up and around with shock

gave him the pages. "If gold

Her

went pale as a ghost before Jooking 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 his

face in case they

door just enough to lean out and give them a view of the crown prince

1/4 CHTO

this realm didn't, per what the guards on

side told me

he said, exasperated. "And Your Highness, you know that

he's okay," Ari said, almost whining. "Having that human was supposed. to help, then she had the nerve to

night cannot undo centuries of

"Can't we see him?"

Shang said. "I'm in the

he planned to come as soon

but it could be hours. I would advise you to to at least eat dinner Majesty and hope for good

Do you

could send Maya and have her knock

ith His

over the door, and he leaned against it, pressing his hand against his chest where he'd tucked the documents. "Is it true?"

How

prince leaped out of bed,

snarled at me. "Who do you think you are to attempt to blackmail me?

warned you, didn't I-"

That's rich! Who do you think you are?" I growled. "You couldn't watch your food and drink,

"You should be honored-"

I screamed. "Why the fuck would

Tue, Oct 15

CH10

the air around him.

Doctor

"Both of you calm down... Tsuneo, you will make

pacing on the other side of Doctor Shang, never taking his eyes off of me. I kept my gaze on him, readying myself for when he would lunge. I could see it in his face. He eyed the distance between him, me, and

explain a damn thing."

"Your Majesty-"

do if I don't, hm? Kill me? I wonder how many more centuries

find someone else."