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?"

need my help,

never needed you, Ari," he said. "You're no

am more than that! I'm more than

be

a breath. The shadows filled the hallway and

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CH55

heart and my throat. Then, the 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 marry. This was his

he snarled. "If you can't respect her, then

faltered, momentarily taken aback by the intensity in his gaze. Slowly, the darkness retracted and I saw Tsuneo

this Ari. I

dare he let her come between us? He knew as well as I that we were always meant

from 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 tried the handle, but it was locked. I

on the door, my fists hurting from the force.

short, furious bursts. How had it come 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 this go. Tsuneo and I

Soon.

to be his wife. He'd see. Everything would be as it should be. Gritting my teeth, I stalked down the hallway, my steps echoing in the oppressive silence. I paced the hallway outside Tsuneo's office seething. The nerve of him to lock me out. He'd

the hushed whispers of two passing servants. Their words struck me like a physical

her favor, that's

time before they throw her

she's so

Ari lost it again? She's becoming unhinged," one of the servants

losing it more and more. Honestly, she only has

blood ran cold. My hands clenched 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 kind of joke? I stormed around the corner,

you just say?" I demanded; my