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

family, Ari's place as a ward, and the rank of consorts

said. "Those without imperial children

them to

keep their benefactor on the throne longer... maybe give them time to have a kid to

considered that, but I

eat anything not on a jade

"Meaning?"

cannot hold anything harmful

them."

really a

the colors of the queen, the heart of the

loved

""He still does."

any hope of her

I frowned. "What?"

by the Phoenix, I thought...

perhaps."

condition? Perhaps he wasn't hanging on for me, but he was hanging on because my mother, in some fashion, was still

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CH19

the

manner. Returning the way Phoenix did was something different; it was believed that every queen shared a soul in some way

has anyone told you that you have a beautiful

felt the rush of her embarrassment. Apparently, my wife

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

want to keep you from opening

hostility was

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

"From inside

I could hardly rip someone apart from inside my

again, and the sound of her voice warmed me. There was a beat of

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