The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 16

CH16

Morgan

Tsuneo stepped back into the bedroom and out of sight. I lowered the barrier and let Doctor Shang in. He was alone, carrying a box and a satchel. There was a smudge of something on his check, and an herbal scent drifted across the room when he entered. "I've marked the remedies," he said and set them on the table. "They're intensive, but they are not quick fixes. I would need more time for that, but those remedies are brewing."

He set the remedies on the table and showed them all to me. There were three weeks worth of

remedies for my brother and a bunch of other vials filled with shimmering liquid. The glowing

blue ones were for his sister.

"There should be enough for the next three weeks in your time. Have Imperial Captain Ael and whoever else works with him attend to your brother to administer the potions. I'll have more intensive ones ready soon." "Thank you."

He pulled out a roll of paper and handed it to me. "These are notes about the notes for what the Elders have put together for you. They have it all gathered in the foyer."

I winced. "I'll.. figure it out on the other side."

I wasn't sure how best to get it all, considering the distance between the mirror in the unit's house and the gateway for the Trial. I hauled the bag of gold onto my shoulders, but Tsuneo came up behind me, taking the bag from me. Doctor Shang's eyes widened. "You-"

"Take the cart," Tsuneo said. The closet opened, and a floating box came out. "You are the queen. You don't carry a bag like a commoner."

I scoffed. "I'm Morgan, and I've carried a lot of bags."

He chuckled and put the bag and remedies in the box. "Not anymore."

The journals stood up and floated into the closet. Doctor Shang looked stunned, but he said nothing. Tsuneo cupped my face. There was a pleased light in his eyes.

'Safe journey, wife."

1/4

CH16

"Wait," I said, grabbing his sleeve before he turned away. "About the money and stuff."

"Wife-"

embarrassment that washed through me. "And like I

just

"Why can

money. It's yours ar...

not humoring you not taking

jaw. "A loan

cocked an

from their sovereign

A wave of heat swept through me, but it felt like it came from beyond me. It was dizzying and gone just as quick

blinked. My stomach flipped at the insinuation in his voice and in his

made clothes for the imperial family, right? Your

sword."

lips twitched, and he skimmed his

A smile tugged

"First rule of survival."

said, the word

of electricity that hit me at the

sound in

name on his lips. He

consider something... incredibly lavish for a...wedding

what?" I stammered, momentarily forgetting about the loan.

glint. "A king always gives gifts to his queen. I have a lot to make up for." He chuckled, a rich, rumbling sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Look forward to it." He turned away, and I wished I could say that something more than curiosity was building in me. Doctor Shang looked amused and grinned, looking between

believe the last time was meant to be

scoffed. "You want an ungrateful wife?

I said, there is much to make up for."

a mess. I headed out of the door with Doctor Shang. He grinned at me and hustled off down the hall.

The room was empty, but the house wasn't. I could feel their presence,

passed until I

the corner and

Majesty, welcome back." His gaze dropped to the floating box behind me, and

blue ones are for his sister. The top ones are for my brother, and the

none too soon. We had just run

his head. "Thank you. I will get them distributed across all the

Trial, and I have no idea how to get it through different mirrors." His eyes bulged. "There will be no need. I'll gather caravans and horses to transport

3/4