The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 55

The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

CH55

Ari

Fury coursed through me, a white-hot inferno that threatened to consume me whole. The sight of Tsuneo, his face practically glowing with happiness as he leaned in to kiss that human... it was unbearable! Jealousy, a venomous serpent, coiled itself around my heart, squeezing the air from my lungs. He opened the door and ushered her inside. His eyes flickering with pleasure.

This couldn't happen. He was mine, destined to be by my side. I would be and always should have been the future queen at his side. This human interloper had to go and fast. My carefully laid plans would need to be accelerated. No more waiting for the opportune moment, I had to act.

Now.

Stomping my foot, I stormed out of the hallway, expecting Tsuneo to follow, eager to discuss his upcoming duties. But to my further outrage, he didn't even glance at me as he left down the hallway in the opposite direction. As if I didn't exist. It was too much. The king's door shut behind. that human, leaving me fuming in the corridor. No one even seemed to notice my presence. I saw the king through the door, but his attention was on that human. The injustice of it all! Years of loyal service, waiting to be crowned queen. How could they treat me like this? I turned to look

down the hallway after Tsuneo.

My voice echoed off the stone walls as I yelled, "Tsuneo! Where are you going? You need to start your duties for the coronation, and-"

He didn't turn back to look at me.

"I don't need your help, Ari. I can handle my duties on my own."

My blood boiled. How could he be so stubborn?

""Don't forget that I've been here all this time!"

He stopped and looked back at me. "What is your point?"

my help,

said. "You're

than that! I'm more than that human in makes it another week,

be lucky if

in a breath. The shadows filled the

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CH55

darkness seemed to rise up, looming over me with Tsuneo's eyes. But this wasn't the man that I knew I was going to

of my wife," he snarled. "If you can't respect her, then you'll have to

his gaze. Slowly, the darkness retracted and

this Ari. I mean

come between us? He knew as well as I that we were always meant to be together. He was only putting on this show

me!" I shouted, chasing after him. My footsteps echoed loudly as I hurried down the corridor, but he didn't slow down. He reached his office door and slammed

reached the door and tried the handle, but it was locked. I gasped. I had never been locked out of

fists hurting

to this? How had Morgan twisted him so completely against me? Against us? That human woman had poisoned him so completely. I leaned against the door, closing my eyes and willing myself to calm down. But the anger and betrayal were too strong. I wasn't going to let

Soon.

to lock himself away, fine. But this wasn't over. Not by a long shot. I was going to be his wife. He'd see. Everything would be as it should be. Gritting my teeth, I stalked down the

snatch of conversation reached my cars, and carried on the hushed whispers of two passing servants. Their

her favor, that's

matter of time before

she's so

how Ari lost it again?

it more and more. Honestly, she only has herself to blame.

into fists. They were talking about me! The very idea, the indignity of it all, sent a fresh wave of fury crashing over me. They thought they could talk about me like that? Like I was some

I demanded; my