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 in

court: the Imperial family, Ari's place as a ward, and the

without imperial

them to their own

benefactor on the throne longer... maybe

considered that, but I could see her

eat anything not on

"Meaning?"

by the spirits of life. They cannot hold anything

them."

and gold, really a thing

colors of the queen, the

father loved your mother,

""He still does."

there... any hope

I frowned. "What?"

all this talk about being blessed by the Phoenix, I thought... resurrection was

perhaps."

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

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CH19

the

never been any records of a resurrection of that manner. Returning the way Phoenix did was something different; it was believed that every queen shared a soul in some way et

has anyone told you that you have

of her embarrassment. Apparently, my

possibilities... Are there people who

they will want to keep you from

was

you, I growled, a fierce possessiveness coloring my voice. "As long as I'm

laughed. "From inside

not... I could hardly rip

sound of her voice warmed me. There was a beat

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