The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 41

CH41

Morgan

My heart pounded a steady rhythm against my ribs as I re-entered the opulent confines of my chambers. The walk with the King had been... enlightening, to say the least. The weight of the situation to his son's death and the issue with the veil between the two realms settled heavily my shoulders. I really hope nothing is up exciting sometimes. Though, but given my track record of this place, just seemed unlikely. Still, a sliver of hope remained, fueled by the King's unwavering support and the growing bond I shared with Tsuneo. They really weren't as bad as I was expecting, given the whole Trial bit.

Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, I was greeted by a cacophony of hushed whispers and suppressed giggles emanating from the handmaidens. Maya's eyes widened at my arrival. The others hurried away from me, leaving us alone. I'd ever seen it, and I wasn't looking forward to figuring out what they were talking about now. Still, I needed to know.

"My Lady," she began, her voice barely a whisper, "there's... something you need to know."

The urgency in her tone sent a shiver down my spine. "What is it, Maya?"

"It's... about Lady Ari," she said hesitantly. "There's a... stir among the concubines."

I raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement dancing in my chest. Ari's attempts to garner attention were hardly news. It was obvious that she had a thing for Tsuneo, and it clearly wasn't going away though he was married and clearly not interested in her. "And what, pray tell, is causing this stir?"

"She... appeared in the gardens earlier, Maya continued, her voice dropping even lower, "wearing the queen's outer robe."

"The queen's? Mine?" We weren't exactly the same size. Why would she be in my room-anyway? Not that I was in there much. I swear, for a palace full of nobles and royalty, they had very little security. That would have to be something I talked to my father-in-law about. "The late queen's robe."

My amusement evaporated, replaced by anger on Tsuneo's behalf. His mother's things shouldn't be touched without his knowledge. Least of all by someone who was just using it for attention.

"You're sure? You're sure it's a robe of the late queen?" I breathed. The thought of Ari parading in Tsuneo's deceased mother's clothes left a bitter taste in my mouth. CH41

Could she get any more tasteless? Tactless? Obvious?

Maya nodded, her eyes wide. "The very same, My Lady. She claims I was a gift from His Highness, Tsuneo himself."

bestowing such a personal item - a relic of his own grief- upon Ari was laughable. Furthermore, Tsuneo wouldn't have had the opportunity. His mother had been murdered around the same time he himself had fallen

and thought no one would call her out on it. Either that meant there were more people inside the houses that were against the opposition here than I thought, or Ari

someone who isn't

grinned. "Several,

"Good. Let's go."

myself to remain calm. This was bigger than a petty squabble. Ari's audacity, her blatant disregard for protocol, could have serious repercussions. The servants were quick to gossip, and I could only

exactly what

is Ari right

in the main corridor. Heading towards the kitchen that serves the main

eyebrow at her. "Why would she

her eyes." Probably to harass the kitchen staff into

make a new

fell into step

was the queen in that regard for

no one stopped

been a queen

hear, but I guess I should have known that

2/4

CH41

be the answer.

hallway and through the corridors. The palace

"Shouldn't you change?"

I asked. Any thief can wear stolen clothes. Only the wife would be wearing

have the heart of a dragon, Lady Morgan.

you.