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 box.

lax in his seat

725

table and reloaded Anya's plate. "As you are

Anya. "It's been a

closed behind him as Ari and Keiji followed

Anya his daughter

"Daughter."

a young guard, his face serious. "Your Majesty," he announced, bowing slightly. "The

I thought with

pushed to my feet, ate the rest of my pastry, and grabbed some meat. "Maya, would you mind looking after

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

wait for me here. I'll

"Of course, Your Majesty."

mirror was.

we made our way el

stepped through.

quickly, his brow furrowing slightly, "You alright? You

2/4

CH25

story," I muttered, collapsing onto the nearby bench with a sigh. "But the good news is, I'm

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

caravan that had been restored from my use. I didn't want the pomp and circumstance, and I wasn't going to take it if I didn't have to. Instead, one of Ael's

escort.

had I missed something? Maybe it was some other trouble? What kind of trouble, though? Pushing thoughts of Tsuneo, the crazy morning,

and Tailoring shop. Taking a fortifying breath, I

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

shop. Their faces were now lined with worry. The moment they saw me, the air crackled with a

voice thick with emotion. "Is it... is it really