The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 36

CH36

Tsuneo

""The queen!"

"Crown Prince Tsuneo is awake!"

No one seemed bothered by the sight of me covered in blood, too caught up in the happiness of having me awake and having Morgan back. Then, from the back of the crowd, a single, hesitant cheer erupted. It was followed by another, and another, until the courtyard echoed with a joyous din. Relief. Disbelief. And a healthy dose of awe washed over the gathered throng.

A ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of my lips. This wasn't how I expected to reveal that I was. awake, but it would do. The road ahead would be long and arduous. Now that Keiji and his supporters among the elders were dead, it would be harder to figure out who else stood against me, but I wouldn't worry about that now. Today, I just wanted to look after Morgan.

I looked down at her. She frowned, curling closer to me. A single tear escaped her closed eyelids, tracing a glistening path down her cheek. I pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"You're safe now, Morgan. I promise."

The jubilant roar of the crowd seemed to recede into a dull hum as my father materialized before me at the palace gates. Relief etched itself onto his weathered face, battling with a flicker of concern at the sight of my bloodstained form.

"Tsuneo," he boomed, his voice rough with emotion. "By the ancestors, you're..." He reached out a hand, his grip firm despite the tremor that ran through it as it fell on my shoulder. "You look..." he hesitated, searching for the right words. "Not entirely yourself, son." Guilt gnawed at me. The transformation always left me feeling drained and knowing that I had probably just started the ticking clock on my father's life set me on edge. Losing Keiji would be a heavy blow for him, but without the throne to hold onto... I lowered my gaze.

"I apologize, Father," I rasped. "There... there were complications."

He frowned. "Complications..."

"Keiji, three elders, and several imperial guards are dead." I paused. "I killed th caves. They kidnapped Morgan."

in the dark.

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... and that's what woke you," He glanced at Morgan. "And the alarm."

I nodded. "1-"

the air, shattering the fragile moment of reunion. Emerging from the throng of courtiers was Keiji's mother, her face contorted in a mask of grief and

across the courtyard, a stark

me, snarling and lunging at me. The guards blocked

have you done to

over Keji's robe around my waist, too small

Tsuneo," he commanded, his voice low and dangerous. "Take her wife to your chambers and see

din of the crowd. I couldn't place who it was and I didn't care. More important matters demanded my attention. Morgan, still unconscious, remained cradled in my arms. Mounting the waiting steps, I ignored the curious stares and hushed whispers that

looked up

a

I get a

"Perhaps later."

put

firmly, glaring at her and clutching

turned from her and headed up the stairs. I nodded at the familiar faces I passed. Maya saw

get you

kit and food, Maya.

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CH36

I felt like my defenses could come down at little. I headed toward the bathroom,

-

in my mind the dank cavern, the desperate fight, the chilling satisfaction of Keiji's demise. But the memory that lingered most potently was the sight of Morgan, struggling to the last moment-thrashing, screaming, kicking even as her heart

Dragon hearted....

the line of her jaw. "You were so brave, Morgan," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

eyelids sparked a flicker of hope. Perhaps the magic of the palace was affecting her or it was her own magic waking her. I needed her awake, needed to

came back, I could trust her to

Ignoring it, I kept staring at Morgan, willing her

bathroom to the antechamber. I lay her

"Ari?" I sighed.

was

"You didn't even think about how I felt seeing you awake and covered in blood after all this