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.

reluctance to take

went still. That was the last thing I wanted to talk

Morgan

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 knowing glint. "You and Tsuneo, she began, her voice filled with a playful litt. "When do you two plan on giving the

twisted, and I

no intention of

part?" She blinked. "The fun part, that is. Tsuneo was always

she laughed. "What are

my son have had an... interesting marriage so far. You need advice? A woman's perspective on it? I can tell you

I never thought about it like that. Would talking to her about it make me feel more comfortable with the idea, or was that just hopebal thinking? I'd never talked to anyone about... of any nature, I didn't really see the need to since I was never planning to get married, and the guys in

her eyes sparkling

replied, her voice filled with a playful tone. As for the kids, it would probably

well, but do you know if that's

She frowned.

question. I'm not entirely sure. That might be a question you'll have to ask

"Why?"

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. "Imagine the chans he would

jaw dropped. 'Level

nodded. "And probably bring the

00

he

born into the royal family. There's no real cosmic need for it. It would be best not to talk to him about it right

realized that he was a black dragon, I knew that there was something on the horizon that needed him. I hope you're prepared for it. I hope

Prepared for...

part. I have no idea! But if you're worried about it being alright, that's probably not the case... It's much, much bigger

that."

would be nice to have all the support

turned misty. I