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

he said. "You're no more than a sister to

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

be lucky

a breath. The shadows filled the hallway and surged towards me. I backed

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CH55

Tsuneo's eyes. But this wasn't the man that I knew I was going to marry. This was his dragon, and I had

you can't respect her, then you'll have to deal with me. This is the only warning you will

his gaze. Slowly, the darkness retracted and I saw Tsuneo standing over me again, his

this Ari.

dare he? How dare he let her come between us? He knew as well as I that we were always meant to be together. He

from me!" I shouted, chasing after him. My footsteps echoed loudly as I hurried down the corridor, but he didn't slow

the handle, but it was locked. I gasped. I

pounded on the door, my fists hurting from the force. "Open this door right

chest, and my breaths came in 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 had a bond, a connection that couldn't be severed so easily. Morgan might think she had won, but, I wasn't going to give up. I'd kill her myself if I had

Soon.

the door. If Tsuneo wanted 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 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 regret this.

whispers of two passing servants. Their words struck me like

her favor,

a matter of time before they throw

goodness, she's

again? She's becoming unhinged," one of

the queen showed up, she's been losing it more and more. Honestly, she only has herself to

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

did you just say?" I demanded; my voice laced with