The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 43

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Morgan

Ari's tears faltered for a moment, her lower lip trembling as she cast a wounded look at Tsuneo.

"But Tsuneo," she whimpered, "she attacked me! I'm telling the truth!"

anger simmering

Tsuneo's gaze flicked back to her, and this time, there was no mistaking the anger s beneath its cool surface.

"The truth?" he repeated, his voice a low growl. He took a step closer, his eyes landing on the jade and gold fabric draped over Ari's form. Something nostalgic flickered across his face, quickly followed by a surge of icy fury.

"That, he spat, his voice laced with disgust, "is my mother's robe. Explain, Ari. How exactly did. this 'gift' come into your possession?"

People around us gasped. It was perfect. I could have asked for a better setup. Ari's carefully constructed facade crumbled. The color drained from her face, leaving her ashen and speechless. She stammered, her carefully crafted story dissolving into a pathetic whimper. The sight brought an unexpected wave of... relief. It wasn't the sweet, triumphant kind, but a quiet satisfaction that washed over me, a validation that I hadn't anticipated.

Tsuneo believed me, and.... I was right about his feelings about the robe.

I couldn't remember many people ever believing me in confrontations like this. I remembered countless arguments with Goro's daughter. She thrived on getting me into trouble. Her and her favorite cousin, a boy who hated me because I'd beat him in a sparring match when we were five, would lie, and fabricate stories, and every time, despite my tearful pleas, no one would believe me. Everyone, save for my father. He was my rock, my unwavering defender, the only one who saw through their charades and believed me. He'd been so fair... So kind.

He hadn't deserved to die the way he had.

The memory brought a lump to my throat, a bittersweet mix of sadness and gratitude. I missed my father dearly, the pain of his absence was still a fresh wound. But in that moment, witnessing Tsuneo's unwavering belief, a tiny spark of hope flickered within me. Perhaps, in some strange way, my father would have approved of him.

marriage, of course. The Trial by Fire was a brutal tradition, and marrying a stranger, a prince no less

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unwavering loyalty, and

of something deeper, a sense of connection that transcended the chaos of the past few days. It glanced at Tsuneo, his anger slowly giving way to a thoughtful frown.

will explain yourself," Tsuneo said, his voice cold and unforgiving. "And then you will apologize to my wife for the blatant disrespect. She may not know

on my lips

B-But-

"Remove the robe." There was no room for discussion in his tone, a stark contrast

with no choice. Mumbling under her breath, she fumbled with the garment, finally pulling it

much as she could. I checked the look of it and nodded. It would need laundering and

"The key? Why... why would I have that?" But the tremor in her

Ari. Hand it over before my patience

a small, ornate key. She tossed it towards Tsuneo with a flick of her wrist, the silver glinting in the

back to Ari, "an apology is in

She crossed her arms in front of her chest, her chin jutting out defiantly, "Apologize? For what? That woman," she

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she gestured towards me, "isn't even a real queen. She's just a human on a borrowed

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me, but before I could retort, Tsuneo's voice cut through

concubines huddled together, their faces pale with fear. The servants cowered. I looked around, stunned

had to be something I