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.

head." He gestured across the way to the

going lax in his seat and clearly asleep. The king shook

725

table and reloaded Anya's plate. "As you are up and functioning. I'll hopefully see you sometime later. Maya."

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

Keiji followed him out. I

Anya his daughter

"Daughter."

on the door came. I gestured it open, revealing a young guard, his face serious. "Your Majesty," he announced, bowing slightly. "The

timing, I thought with

pastry, and grabbed some

gone, heading down the hallway. A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. I wondered if Maya had a crush on Doctor Shang or if they were just fellows in arms in this crazy palace. I slipped into 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. That guard switched out for a seasoned-looking female guard who fell into step beside me.

for me here. I'll be back

"Of course, Your Majesty."

mirror was. The surface of the

made our way

stepped through. I

slightly, "You

2/4

CH25

muttered, collapsing onto the nearby bench with a

Speaking of news, your family has sent messages about the business. Not really addressed to you, but you should probably see them." "How nice of them to

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

escort.

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 the rest to the back of my mind, I walked on. People looked at me,

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

fabric and accessories was like stepping back in time. But the atmosphere inside the shop was different. Gone was the

Goro and Adele and an aunt who usually ran the shop. Their faces were now lined with worry. The moment they saw me, the air crackled with a mix of shock and disbelief. My aunt didn't

thick with emotion. "Is