The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 21

The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

CH21 Morgan

Following Maya's lead, I exited Tsuneo's chambers, the crimson silk robe clinging luxuriously to my skin. The diadem, surprisingly heavy on my head, felt less like an ornament and more like a shield. It was a bit like bringing Tsuneo with me, and it was surprising how much comfort that brought me.

As we walked through the opulent corridors, flickering torches cast long, dancing shadows on the walls. The air itself seemed to hum with an unseen tension, a stark contrast to the quiet intimacy. of Tsuneo's chambers. The palace was calm, reaching out to me and whispering that everything would be okay, but I was still nervous.

Finally, Maya stopped before a set of massive oak doors intricately carved with scenes of dragons and mythical creatures. Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself for what was on the other side. I lifted my chin and pressed my hand to my concealed sword's hilt for a moment.

Everything will be fine, Ren.

The doors swung open with a flourish, revealing a sight that momentarily stole my breath away. The family dining room was a magnificent space adorned with shimmering tapestries and gleaming golden candelabras that cast a warm glow over the long, ornately carved table. At its head sat Tsuneo's father. He looked up and smiled warmly at me. Flanking him on either side of the table were a startling number of people. I recognized Keiji and Ari, but that was all. The others varied in games, ranging from teenagers to those seemingly on the cusp of middle age. A good number of the women looked about Tsuneo's father's age. Some wore expressions of mild curiosity, while others- particularly a striking woman with fiery red eyes who bore an uncanny resemblance to Keiji - glared at me with undisguised hostility. That had to be his mother, the king's first consort.

The others who glared at me were probably concubines, too. The skeptical ones were definitely his sisters. He had a lot of siblings. How had his father had any time to have a relationship with his mother when he was making all of these kids?

I walked in, scanning the room, noting the only empty seats were closer to his father. Keiji was on

my list of dates, but he wasn't the only one. His mother was on the list, and I bet I'd add a

few others. He had brothers who eyed me. Was this whole place a viper's nest? It was uncannily familiar.

Goro had killed my father and wanted to kill me.

CH21

Tsuneo had likely been nearly assassinated by someone in his family, and that same person would probably want to kill me, too.

Great. Out of one murderous family and into another. Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and met gaze with every person before looking at the king. His eyes twinkled.

back, please, take a

Where?

where the second set of jade plates were. The one between him and Keiji was

the empty throne beside

the empty seat beside him. The display of wealth and power couldn't mask the raw grief that still clung to him like a shroud, but his scales seemed a little darker than when I had

her.

I was going to be completely alone. Best to get

to the diadem in my hair. His lips twitched into a

voice was warm. "I am glad that Doctor Shang is adhering to his wishes. Perhaps he will

blush crept up my neck, both at the compliment and the reminder of what

Tsuneo.

curious to know the why behind it. Doctor Shang was

dodgy about it."

sound that echoed in the vast room. "Because he understood the bond between a king and his queen from a young age, sooner than

realized you existed."

a jolt through

meant for you, one who had been chosen, crafted, and gifted

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CH21:

"Soulmates?

around, but I

is hard to believe in magic without

at his wife's place setting. The sorrow in his

wrenching.

of dragons... what

serving dinner.

influenced by it. Soulmates, as you call them, is magic. It can strengthen us and change us in ways that are unexpected. There is really no way to explain it to someone who has not experienced it." He smiled. "Your display of power, the fact that you can come and go through the mirrors as