The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 30

CH30

Tsuneo

The silence stretched for a moment. What was the plan? Morgan started to wrap my shoulder with bandages. Her gaze met mine.

"Let's get you settled back in."

Morgan nodded, her expression unreadable. Without a word, she helped me back onto the luxurious bedsheets, the cool silk a welcome contrast against my heated skin. The lingering warmth of her touch on my arm sent a fresh jolt through me, a bittersweet reminder of the interrupted moment.

As I sank back against the pillows, she began putting away the medical supplies, her movements brisk and efficient. Once finished, she knelt beside the bed and, with surprising ease, shoved the

medical kit under the ornately carved frame.

With a flick of my wrist, a wave of shimmering energy pulsed through the room. The pool of blood vanished. It vanished from my robe and hands. The robe mended itself.

"That was impressive."

I smiled.

"Think you can manage to play dead long enough?

I nodded and settled into my usual position. Before I closed my eyes, she slipped out of the pink robe, leaving just the thin, see-through middle layer and her slip. I shut my eyes, trying to block the image out of my mind, and push down my jealousy at the thought that he would see her like that. She ran a hand through her short hair, but her diadem remained in place as she opened the door.

"What do you want?" She asked. "And how dare you just barge into his room. Have you no respect?"

"You..." His voice turned sleazy. "What took so long?"

"What does it look like?" She asked. "I'm exhausted because I actually do work. If you want to take his spot, shouldn't you be working on taking on some of his duties?"

"There's at least one duty I'd like..."

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even if you were the only

She followed him to the door

I'll assume you're an intruder:

as the sound of Keiji's retreating footsteps faded away. With a sigh, I cracked open one eye to see Morgan standing by the massive oak door. The sound of her footsteps returned. My other eye remained closed, but a sly smile played on my lips. Morgan, it seemed, was growing

That was

unable to contain my amusement.

escaped her lips. Then, I opened my eyes, and the heat in my veins turned boiling. She didn't reach for her outer robe, and the see-through robe did

my lips.

out there. Did you get a chance

I nodded.

I'm starving. Rest,

eyes trailed her every movement, captivated by the elegant curve of her spine and the way the light cast shadows on her body. The air crackled with unspoken tension, a potent mix of desire and adrenaline. I was dead tired and turned on. It was hell. I lay back, blinking up

and a wall of shimmer jade and gold light cover it. My gaze drifted down, and a jolt of electricity shot through me. Her outer robe lay discarded on the floor. I bent down and picked it up, burying my nose in

I headed back to bed. Part of me was thrilled - she was here, with me, in

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mine alone, sent a dark scowl etching lines on

my voice

her head out of the bathroom. I could tell she had only dropped the see-through

"Yes?"

-

I choked out, the single word encompassing a maelstrom of emotions possessiveness, jealousy, and a desperate need to claim her completely. But something held me back: a respect for her and a fear of smothering the fragile connection we were building. "Don't...

smile played on her lips. "Like what?" She

amusement.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, a playful banter felt like a welcome. She laughed and ducked back into

came back out, dressed in a clean slip and a different robe. She sat beside me, and suddenly, she gasped. My gaze darted to her hands, where a thin red line marred the pale skin on her wrist. The sight sent a

with a nonchalant wave of her hand. "Just

convinced. The thin line seemed too deliberate, too clean-cut to be a mere sewing. mishap. Rising on my elbow, I ignored the protest from my still-aching shoulder and reached for her

me see," I commanded, my voice firm but laced

moment's pause, she relented, extending her hand towards me. I summoned the medical kit from under the bed and held her hand gently. A warmth bloomed in my chest as I started to treat her hand.