The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 23

CH23

Tsuneo

The reports were all over the place, but they were useful. Knowing what the staff was gossiping about and exactly what they said was useful, but I didn't care about it. My mind was focused on what could be happening at dinner right now.

Based on the hour, they definitely started the Empty and Harmonious Cups ceremony. I wondered what kind of questions he would ask. My father had always had a strange sense of humor, but he seemed positively gleeful at imagining the questions he would ask and the debates he would engage in with my future wife. I wish more than anything I had the strength to use my connection to the palace to listen in, but perhaps he would just have her play again when it was revealed that I was awake.

My mind conjured the image of Morgan and the way she'd looked dressed in my crimson silk robe. She was so beautiful. My cock stirred, and I let my head fall back against the headboard with a soft groan.

It had been years since I'd enjoyed the touch of a woman. I honestly wasn't sure how much longer I could manage. It was easier when she wasn't here, and I didn't have time to think about

1. it. Having Ari sneak into my room so often and be absolutely creepy about it really dulled my libido. Now, it was roaring to life.

The door creaked open. I went still. She closed it, and I felt her barrier go up. Then, she stumbled into sight of the doorway, revealing a sight that sent a jolt through me. Morgan, her face flushed. and a mischievous glint in her normally serious eyes, stood swaying slightly in the doorway. My robe slipped halfway off her shoulder, revealing the slightly sheer black layer beneath the outer

robe.

"Yourdad's a jerk." she pouted. "And I'm pretty sure the red-eyed lady is evil. Is that Keiji's

mom?" 2

"Yes... I'm impressed that you managed to walk all the way here."

up her hands. "Maya helped me! And you should see your

an eyebrow at her. "You managed to

the sheer black layer fell off, and she stood there in

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CH23

racing, and when she got to the end of the bed, she hauled herself over the footboard. The strap of her slip slipped down

around the room, effectively blocking any prying eyes or ears. Her laughter echoed in the now soundproof chamber as she flopped down onto the plush covers. A seductive glint entered her eyes as she met my gaze. The diadem glinted on her

do you say, Your

to the invitation in her voice. But as I leaned in, a different sensation registered -- a shiver, a barely audible whimper. Confusion washed through me. Then, as she curled closer, her body seeking warmth against

mumbled, burying her face in my

genuinely cold. Despite the logic screaming at me that this was a terrible idea, my body betrayed me the moment her skin touched mine. Getting cold was an odd reaction to the wine used for the ceremony, but she was human, and no one had ever had a human plan

yet somehow...endearing. I held

push it down as her scent filled my nose. A low, rumbling growl rattled through my chest. She giggled. Every muscle in my body tensed, fighting the urge to pull her closer, to press myself against

me, not from the temperature but from the conflicting emotions churning within

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I set the

on the bedside table and settled into sleep beside

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sob from her. I opened my eyes. Her body tensed, and she whimpered in her sleep, tears staining the front of my

whispered, her voice thick with sleep and