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,"

a heavy crime as well. Endangerment of a child. We have options.

head. "I would just as soon never see them

"What about your brother?"

head. I would prefer to bring him with

up. "Would you

Morgan

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.. "Morgan, are

the human realm. I paused. "I think I'm going to visit my little

Can I come? Can I

my head. "I don't think that's exactly up to me whether you can come or not. We best

the queen. Aren't

CHIL

argue with it. It was such a strange thought,

guess we should

cheered and took my band,

I have so

questions!"

warming at his enthusiasm.

had asked 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 the corridor. The doors and windows must have been

main palace corridor, I spotted Tsuneo walking 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 lit up with happiness. "We're going

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

can see. Kai is

Our

Unfortunately, I have a meeting with my father and the Elders about Ari," he explained. "They've

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

T'll

want you to

be as soon as I know the truth.

could go later after your

my face and lowered his lips to mine, kissing me gently but soundly. I gasped as he drew back and placed

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

through his mind, he was seemingly at peace with it. I nodded and lifted up to retum the kiss briefly His eyes widened. "We'll

a warmth that melted my heart. "Ill be waiting, he replied, his