The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 73

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Morgan

The air shook with the threat. Her hands grew long, vicious-looking claws and her eyes turned slitted. Before I realized that I had darted around Tsuneo, blocking Ari's claws with my sword and holding out a hand to stop Tuinen. He froze in place, his eyes burning, and Ari shrieked in agony. Her claws snapped, broke, and ripped out of her hands against the blade of my sword. The sound of my blade rang through the air like a song. I could smell the blood in the air. The Elders murmured in fright.

She reeled back in agony right into the arms of the guards.

"Until you are prepared to come clean about the parentage of Kai, you are placed under house arrest. Should you continue to hold that the crown prince is Kali's father, then you will be arrested and transferred to the dungeon for your terrible acts." Her eyes, filled with a mixture of fury and fear, met mine for a brief moment.

"Why don't you believe me? I've been here way longer than that human winch. Tsuneo, tell them the truth! Tell them, but he's yours. Don't let them do this to me. Don't you love me? We were always supposed to be together. We are supposed to be together, but he went poisoned your mind!*

Slowly, she was dragged away, her protests echoing through the hall. The room fell into a stunned silence.

I felt bad for Kal. It was terrible to watch. I turned to the child, who was watching the commotion with wide eyes. He looked surprised but relieved, too.

I knelt down, meeting his gaze. "Don't worry," I said, my voice gentle. Everything will be alright."

back towards where Ari's voice was still coming down

unpleasantness of the past few minutes. "And then, perhaps, take a

chaos towards a quieter room where he could feel safe. As we walked, I glanced back at Tsuneo, and our gazes met for a

you for your great wisdom and compassion. I commend you. I could not have asked for a

A blush

crept up my cheeks. "Thank you, Your

with snacks and sat with him, but my mind kept going back to Ari. The sight of Ari, her face contorted in rage as she was dragged away, sent a shiver down my spine. Her behavior, her complete disregard for the child's well-being, was a stark reminder of Adele. She, too, had been consumed by her own desires, and her love for Goro was the

know, but I tried to fake a smile

through tutoring. Maybe you learn how to

you really think

Tsuneo

away, her protests echoing through the hall, Elled me with a strange mix of relief and unease. Relief that she had been silenced, at least temporarily, but unease at the

banking on my father's goodwill. The nature of the golden dragon being ever merciful and forgiving. She didn't know I was a black dragon, so she couldn't have been counting on my sense of mercy. She must think I was a gold dragon the way my father is and that

to shreds. She had threatened Morgan-my wife and phoenix. There was nothing in me that said

my father's gaze. "I know in your heart, father, that she is basically another daughter to you. But if she continues with this lie, if she continues to threaten Morgan, if she wants to purport that either we had a relationship or that she forced one upon me, I see nothing in myself that

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between us, I would have killed Ari without a second thought. I would not attend her funeral. I would