The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 75

CH75

Tuned

Morgan sighed again..

"The accident that killed my father, the one that she helped orchestrate... he was in the car with him, and she didn't even know. It was supposed to be me in that car." She looked up at me. "If not for a sheer stroke of luck, I would not be here."

I said nothing, stunned. A pang of sadness and fear shot through me. Where would I be now if Morgan hadn't come in her cousin's place? I didn't want to think about it.

Morgan's words hung heavy in the air. A surge of protectiveness washed over me.

I reached out, my hand finding hers. Then I talked her into my arms and squeezed her clothes.

"I am so very grateful that you are here," I said. "Though I wish it had been under better circumstances, I wish that we could have met under better circumstances. I cannot regret our meeting..."

She squeezed me back, burying her face in my shoulder. I felt my robes growing wet with her tears.

"One day, when it doesn't hurt so much, will you tell me about your father?

She nodded and said nothing. As we held each other, I pushed down the anger that had started to rise. Adele and Gom deserved to be punished for their selfishness.

My lips twitched. "I could have Adele and Goro arrested. Perhaps, beaten with a whip?"

She sniffled. "That will not bring my father back. Nor wake my brother."

"No, but it might make you feel a little better." I kissed her head. "I could have them brought into the palace as

She laughed. They would both be terrible servants. Don't waste the palace. Resources like that."

*Fine. Contracted labor on some miserable little farm at the edge of the kingdom."

She looked up, her eyes sparkling with laughter. Tsunen, please. It's... fine."

servants,"

"Adultery is a heavy crime as well. Endangerment of a child. We have options. My

just as soon

"What about your brother?"

I would prefer to

froze and looked up.

Morgan

up alone and dressed in the simplest robe available. As I finished tying the sash and headed out, I heard Kal's tiny feet rushing down the hill..

realm. I paused. "I think I'm going to visit

me. Can I come?

me whether you can come or not. We best

the queen. Aren't

CHIL

such a strange thought, considering how little power I had

guess we should

took my

go! I have so

questions!"

my heart warming at his enthusiasm. "Well, don't ask them all

questions almost endlessly. Seeing Kai so excited made me think of him... It made me think of Hiro, too. Would he ever wake up?. Together, we made our way downs

down the hallway, his head in a book. He stopped, tilted his head, and looked up. gazes met, and he smiled at me. His whole face

and approached slowly. His gaze dragged over me, clearly pleased with my choice of robe for

you can see.

Our

have a meeting with my father and the Elders about Ari," he explained. "They've decided to put her

searched for my face. If you have any desires, anything you wish to

c. and T'll make

lips twitched. "I just want

as

after your meeting. Maybe if you want me

but soundly. I gasped as he drew back and placed another

be careful. He said. "I'll be fine. I'll see you

his gaze, searching for the hesitance or lie. But there was now, Whatever was going through his mind, he was seemingly at peace with it. I nodded and lifted up to retum the kiss

his eyes filled with a warmth that melted my heart. "Ill be waiting, he replied, his voice