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-"

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

voice echoed across the courtyard, a stark contrast to the

on me, snarling and lunging at me. The guards

have you done

a cold glint. His gaze drifted over Keji's robe

and your wife need rest. Leave us, Tsuneo," he commanded, his voice low and dangerous. "Take her wife to your chambers

care. More important matters demanded my attention. Morgan, still unconscious, remained cradled in my arms. Mounting the waiting steps, I ignored the curious

Tsuneo!" I looked up

her a thin smile.

get

"Perhaps later."

frowned. "Just put her down,

glaring at her and clutching Morgan to

familiar faces I passed. Maya saw me and hurried ahead of me to open

I get you

kit and food, Maya. Thank

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CH36

and she bowed out quietly, I closed the doors behind me and took a deep breath. Within the familiar confines of my chambers, I felt like my defenses could come down at little. I headed toward the bathroom, slowly

-

events of the night replayed 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

Dragon hearted....

my thumb gently tracing the line of her jaw. "You were so brave, Morgan," I murmured,

affecting her or it was her own magic waking her. I needed her awake, needed to hear her voice, to know that she was

maya came back, I could trust her

door startled me. Ignoring it, I kept staring at Morgan, willing her to wake with every fiber of

sigh, I carried her out of the bathroom to the antechamber. I lay her on the plush couch before going to the door.

"Ari?" I sighed.

brow was

Her eyes were glossy. "You didn't even think about how I felt seeing you awake and covered