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.

the way to the box. "For

should...." He shut his eyes, going lax in his seat and clearly asleep. The

725

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

"It's been a while since

behind him as Ari and Keiji followed him out. I looked over at

his daughter or

"Daughter."

the door came. I gestured it open, revealing a young

I thought with

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

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.

for me here. I'll

"Of course, Your Majesty."

halls to where the mirror was. The surface

we made our

as I stepped through. I found

his brow furrowing slightly, "You alright? You look like you haven't

2/4

CH25

bench with a

box of medicine. "I'll send word to head to the cave... Speaking of news, your family has sent messages

back through and let the guard lead me to 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

escort.

news about the 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 the rest to the back of my mind, I walked on. People looked at me, pointed, and whispered. The rumors

reached the familiar sight of the Ryuyama Silks and Tailoring shop. Taking a fortifying breath, I steeled

shelves and the sight of bolts of fabric and accessories was like stepping back in

and an aunt who usually ran the shop. Their faces were now lined with worry. The moment they saw me, the air

with emotion.