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 was far from ideal. But maybe, just

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seen the strength in Tsuneo, his unwavering loyalty, and the

the chaos of the past few days. It glanced at Tsuneo, his anger slowly giving way to a thoughtful frown. He met my gaze,

"And then you will apologize to my wife for the blatant disrespect. She may not know all about traditions, which you do, if my mother were here, would you think she would say?

small, triumphant smile played on my lips

B-But-

through the room as he addressed Ari. "Remove the robe." There was no room for discussion in his tone,

pale and streaked with dried tears, hesitated for a moment, but the steely glint in Tsuneo's eyes left her with no choice. Mumbling under

startled gasp and lunged forward. I gathered it into her arms, dusting it off as much as she could. I checked the look of it and nodded. It would need laundering and maybe

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

narrowed. "Don't play coy, Ari. Hand it over before my patience

her dress, producing a small, ornate key. She tossed it towards Tsuneo with a flick

turning his attention back

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

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on a borrowed

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but before I could retort, Tsuneo's

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 fearful they were. Sure, he was angry, but there was nothing in

be something I was