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.

The Trial by Fire was a brutal tradition, and marrying a stranger, a prince no less

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strength in Tsuneo, his unwavering loyalty, and the way he saw through Ari's

bloomed in my chest, a feeling that went beyond simple relief. It was a glimmer 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.

unforgiving. "And then you will apologize to my wife for the blatant disrespect. She may not know all about traditions, which you do, if

small, triumphant smile played on my lips as Tsuneo took

B-But-

voice, devoid of warmth, echoed through the room as he addressed Ari. "Remove the robe." There was

streaked with dried tears, hesitated for a moment, but the steely glint in Tsuneo's eyes left her with no choice. Mumbling under her breath, she fumbled with the garment, finally pulling it off and throwing it onto the floor in a display

as she could. I checked the look of it and nodded. It would need laundering and maybe a little mending, but it would be okay. I could do that. "And

alarm. "The key? Why... why would I have that?"

gaze narrowed. "Don't play coy, Ari. Hand

sigh, Ari reached into a hidden pocket in her dress, producing a small, ornate key. She tossed it towards Tsuneo with a flick of her wrist,

he said, turning his attention back

arms in front of her chest, her chin jutting out

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on a borrowed throne. She has no place here. She won't be here for long, one way

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before I could retort, Tsuneo's voice cut through the air,

seemed to shrink under the weight of his anger, the concubines huddled together, their faces pale with fear. The servants cowered. I looked around, stunned at how

be something I was