The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

CH19

Tsuneo

"My father is a grieving man."

"So Keiji said. I need a little more than that.

My thoughts drifted back to the fateful day 1 fell ill. The news of my mother's murder had plunged the realm into mourning, a thick shroud of grief hanging heavy in the air. Days blurred into a haze of whispered condolences and endless funeral rites.

Then came the fever, the agonizing grip of chills that left me shivering despite the oppressive heat. My vision blurred, the world morphing into a nightmarish kaleidoscope of colors. The last thing I remembered before succumbing to the darkness was the worried faces of my father, Maya, and Doctor Shang's voice coming from across the room.

Waking up, days, or perhaps weeks later, to find myself a prisoner in my own body was a terrifying experience. My once-powerful limbs felt like lead weights, my voice a hoarse croak. I could feel Doctor Shang and Maa fussing around me and my father's constant presence, but only my mind was awake. I'd known then that I had been poisoned. With what, I had no idea. The more pressing question was, by whom?

"I agree." 1 blinked and pulled out of my thoughts. "Figuring out who will likely tell you the how and why. Though, do you have a good guess?"

My mind raced, piecing together fragments of conversations, scrutinizing the faces of advisors and nobles who had flocked to the palace in the wake of my mother's death. Greed, ambition, and a thirst for power - these were the undercurrents that ran through the opulent halls of the palace, a darkness lurking just beneath the gilded surface.

Then, I frowned. I hadn't spoken to her, hadn't said a word. She'd felt my thoughts. I shivered at the heat that rushed through me at the realization. Our connection, the tie the heavens had looked around us and the Phoenix had blessed, was growing stronger as her connection to the palace grew. Water sloshed beyond the door.

"I have a short list, but I'm curious about your thoughts on it."

"I'll let you know after the dinner."

"How about a crash course on court politics?"

"Useful... Do I have something to wear for this? Tell me I don't have to wear that heavy stuff

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CH19 again?"

I laughed. "You, my queen, can wear whatever you want."

that

the Imperial family, Ari's place as a ward, and the rank of consorts and concubines attached to my father. "What happens if

be returned home," I said. "Those without imperial children anyway.

them to their

on the throne longer... maybe give them time to

that, but

eat anything not on a jade

"Meaning?"

made by the spirits of life. They cannot hold anything harmful

them."

and gold, really a thing

are the colors of the queen, the heart

your father loved

""He still does."

there... any hope

I frowned. "What?"

blessed by the Phoenix, I thought...

perhaps."

blinked. My brain was a mess. Hope, confusion, doubt, and so many other things rushed through me. Had I been wrong about my father's condition? Perhaps he wasn't hanging on for me, but he was hanging on because my mother, in some fashion, was

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CH19

the

was something different; it was believed that every queen shared a soul in some way et was at

smiled." has anyone

the rush of her embarrassment. Apparently, my

possibilities... Are there people who will want to keep the

will want to keep you

hostility was only

a fierce possessiveness coloring my voice. "As long as I'm around, I won't let anyone harm

"From

rip

warmed me. There was a

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