The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 45

CH45

Tsuneo

The word, unfamiliar and foreign, hung in the air between us. A frown creased my brow.

"A date?" I repeated, unsure of the meaning.

Morgan's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and a soft laugh escaped her lips. "It's a human custom," she explained, her voice warm. "A casual meal spent with someone you... care about."

My heart skipped a beat. Care about. The words resonated deep within me, a truth I couldn't deny. The way I felt about Morgan - the growing warmth in my chest, the sense of peace that washed over me in her presence - it went beyond duty or obligation. My dragon, the palace, had chosen her, and I was slowly, or maybe all too quickly in surprising ways, starting to realize why.

A slow smile spread across my face. The idea of spending more time with her, in a casual setting, filled me with a joy I hadn't anticipated. Normally, I would have courted my wife before we were married.

Perhaps dates were similar to that.

"A date, then," I said, my voice echoing my newfound enthusiasm. "Yes, I would very much like

that."

Relief and a hint of delight danced in her eyes. "Excellent," she said, her voice barely above at whisper. Then I shall get ready. Perhaps a lighter gown this time, one that doesn't restrict my movement quite so much." A playful glint returned to her eyes. My own gaze drifted down to the elegant black and ice blue robe she wore. It was mine, and I liked the look of it on her.

"Perhaps a shorter one that won't drag everywhere?"

A sheepish smile tugged at my lips. "Indeed," I conceded. "Perhaps something more... comfortable. There are many to choose from."

watched her enter our chambers and left a guard in the hallway. I wondered which of my shorter robes she would choose to wear. It didn't matter much to me. Seeing her in my clothes was more than enough. Hopefully, I could see to this task before she was ready. Dealing with Ari

lunch. I ran into Maya as soon as

her, she squealed and dashed off to get

more than

chuckled, calling my

dragon. We were growing

I issued a series of swift commands. Ari's access to my mother's old rooms, including her library and office, was to be strictly barred. Any attempt at entry would. be met with force. The Captain,

the King's chambers. The weight of the situation. pressed upon me, but the image of Morgan's smile, the warmth in her eyes,

heavy oak doors, I found my father seated by a window, his once-proud posture slumped with fatigue. Dark circles rimmed his eyes, and his hand trembled slightly as he gripped a goblet of wine. Guilt

announced, my voice firm

of surprise crossing his weary features. "Tsuneo," he rasped, his voice weak. "What

picture of her insubordination and

he muttered, his voice laced with disgust. "Ari has always been... spirited, but this... this is unacceptable."

CH45

weary sound that spoke volumes of his current state. "You're

would cause a stir and

the streets like the thief she is, I'm sure Morgan would gladly

think of happier things. When do you

perhaps it would be best to postpone the coronation for a while longer," I suggested, my voice hesitant. "My recovery is... taking longer than anticipated. I wouldn't want

nodded, forcing a grimace. "Precisely. It wouldn't be fair to

filled with a mixture of worry and something akin to relief. "Perhaps you're right," he finally conceded. Focus on your recovery,

the budding connection between Morgan and me, and perhaps, just perhaps, he understood why I needed more time - not just to recover physically but to

I said, my voice