The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 83

CH83 Tsuneo

How much longer would it be? Had it been minutes? Hours? Every second of not feeling her presence felt like an eternity. This was maddening. How had my father hung on all these years? I paced the chamber, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn't help but feel anxious. This was the heart of the kingdom, the heart of the palace. This was literally the safest place Morgan could be in our entire realm. And yet, I did not feel that she was safe because she wasn't here. Morgan's absence felt like a vold that seemed to consume everything.

I turned to my father, his gaze fixed on the gate where the statues had not moved again, still blocking the way.

"Father," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "What's happening?"

He didn't respond, his eyes still fixed on the portal. I reached out, my hand resting gently on his shoulder.

"Father," I repeated, my voice filled with a mixture of concern and fear.

He turned to me, his eyes filled with a strange intensity.

"Sit down," he said, his voice barely a whisper. We should talk as it seems that your mother has quite a bit to say to your wife."

1 hesitated, my mind racing. What did he mean by that?

I sat down, my heart pounding in my chest. As I looked at my father, a sense of unease overtook me. He was acting strangely, his behavior filled with a mixture of anticipation and dread. The golden scales on his neck seemed duller and patchier than ever. A part of me knew he wasn't just shedding them, per se

"Tsuneo," he began, his voice filled with a

with a sense of urgency. "You must tell me the truth."

My heart skipped a heat. The truth? What truth?

"About what?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

He hesitated, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and determination.

to

That was the last

Morgan

didn't actually hate me. I'd heard plenty of horror stories about mother-in-laws. Haruka's eyes were filled with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, regarded me with a

and I

have no intention

fun part, that is. Tsuneo was always quite popular, so I know he knows what to do,

and she

You need advice? A woman's perspective on it? I can tell you want him, or

was that just hopebal thinking? I'd never talked to anyone about... of any nature, I didn't really see the need to

eyes sparkling

to share," she replied, her voice filled with a playful tone.

said that as well, but do you

She frowned.

be a question you'll have to ask him. Even if it's not a literally, it

"Why?"

a knowing glint in her eyes. "You've only been in his arms for a short time, so you don't know what he's like. Possessive protective. Outright dangerous in the right circumstances. All dragons are protective of those they consider their treasure. Family and all that," she replied, her voice filled with a mixture of amusement and concern.

dropped. 'Level the

nodded. "And probably bring the

00

know he was at

family. There's no real cosmic need for it. It

on the horizon that needed him. I hope you're prepared for it. I

burched. Prepared for...

beamed. "That's the fun part. I have no idea! But if you're worried about it being alright, that's probably not

that."

it would be nice to

eyes turned misty.