The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 25

The Dragon King's Substitute Bride.

CH25 Morgan

I scoffed. I knew from the night before that he was a mischievous old man, but jeez. Though, I was glad that there was a bit of light in his eyes.

"Well, pons, if it's any consolation, I feel worse for wear," I gestured to Ari. "That one is screeching, and your other son has insinuated that I'm sleeping with Doctor Shang."

He laughed. "Little Shang's love is his work at the moment." He looked at Ari. "I thought I was clear about getting along with Tsuneo's queen."

"She's keeping me from seeing him.

"It's her right." Her jaw dropped. "I've been taking care of him all these years!"

"And you could not pass the Trial. He is married now. You should be relieved. It's only a matter of time before he wakes, and he'll be at your wedding like you've always wanted."

She glared at me, and I shook my head. The old man was delusional if he thought she wanted Tsuneo at her wedding and not standing across the aisle from her. He looked down, and his eyes. brightened.

"Anya, what are you doing here? Are you getting fruit juice all over the doctor?" He scooped the little girl into his arms. She let out a little giggle that felt like a prick in my heart. Grief hit me. hard, and I averted my gaze. "You're red. That mother of yours get you sick again?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck, looking over his shoulder at me. There was something a little unsettling in her gaze, and I thought back to the night before. Was she a mermaid?

"It can't be proper for a young,

unmarried man to have breakfast with the queen," Ari hissed.

"Doctor Shang is an esteemed member of Tsuneo's retinue. There's nothing improper about it at

He smiled at me. "Probably here to give her a cure for that headache I know she has."

I looked at Doctor Shang, and he pulled a vial out of his robes and offered it to me.

across the way to the box. "For

in his seat and clearly asleep.

725

He put his plate on the table and reloaded Anya's plate. "As you are

cooing at Anya. "It's been a while since you've spent the day with me,

as Ari and Keiji followed him

Anya his daughter or

"Daughter."

of medicine. Then, a sharp knock on the door came. I gestured it open, revealing a young

I thought with a

my pastry, and grabbed some meat. "Maya, would you mind looking after Doctor Shang?" Maya nodded eagerly. "Of

shoes, leaving the rest of the food. there on the table. I exited with my bag for the day and the medications. I locked the door behind me with a barrier. The guard from earlier was still there. He escorted me to the mirror nearest Tsuneo's bedroom so I could arrange for the pickup and delivery of the medication.

wait for me here. I'll

"Of course, Your Majesty."

to where the mirror was. The

made our way el

through. I found

me quickly, his brow furrowing slightly, "You alright? You look like

2/4

CH25

"Long story," I muttered, collapsing onto the nearby bench with a sigh.

your family has sent messages about the

foyer. Once I'd gotten everything through the gateway, I headed back to the other mirror and left Ael's unit's house, walking despite the regal caravan that had been restored from my use. I didn't want the pomp and circumstance, and I wasn't going

escort.

family business gnawed at me. I paid the bills that had been on the books; had I missed something? Maybe it was some other trouble? What kind of trouble, though? Pushing thoughts of Tsuneo, the crazy morning, and all

of the Ryuyama Silks and Tailoring shop. Taking a fortifying breath, I steeled myself for whatever awaited me

a wave of nostalgia hit me. Seeing worn wooden shelves and the sight of bolts of fabric and accessories was like stepping back in time. But the atmosphere inside the shop was different. Gone was the usual bustle of customers, replaced by a tense

and an aunt who usually ran the shop. Their faces were now lined with worry.

his voice thick with emotion. "Is it...