The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 104

CH104 Tsuneo

I blinked at that, trying to keep my surprise off my face. Hope filled me. Was my mother really coming back?

You mean... You mean she's coming back?

Of course. Why would think that she wouldn'

I shook my head. A staff member, a new girl, came to me and filled my water cup. I thanked and a drained it quickly. People came in, pushing carts full of food with them. I started to eat, trying not to be saddened by Morgan's absence and savoring the quiet that hung over the room. The tension didn't bother me. It never had. Let them fear me. Fear was useful-it kept people obedient, kept them from crossing lines they shouldn't.

If more people had feared my father, I doubted that Kai would even exist.....

"You started eating without me?" I looked up as Kai came in. His little feet rushing toward me. chuckled as he pouted up at me.

"I thought you were taking a nap."

He rubbed his eyes. I picked him up and set him in Keiji's seat. Someone gasped in horror, but 1 ignored it and waved a servant over to fill his plate. Kai swung his feet under his chair, his small hands gripping the edges of his plate as he stared at me with wide, curious eyes.

"I was, but still." He pouted. "I was looking forward to eating

"Well, I havent taken a bite yet."

With you."

"We should have fruit first," he said. His small face lit up with an innocent smile. "Do you like peaches?"

"I do. Would you like some?"

He nodded. "They're my favorite. They're really good!... But aren't they out of season?"

"Not quite," I said. "There's a farm that supplies the palace that grows peaches year round thanks to the fairies."

awesome,"

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over. She brought a bowl of

cut up, Kai

should they

to do

instructions, cutting a peach for him. His bright little voice cut through the awkward silence that filled the hall. I couldn't help the slight twitch at the corner of my lips. Kai was the only one who talked to me like this,

just a little sugar on them as he instru We drank tea, then I picked one up to

or had.

legs even faster. "See! I told you they were the best

one of the slices, holding it between my cks.

lifted his chin proudly. "Lady Morgan says that even crown princes can learn something

"My wife's

servants. No one else dared speak. They avoided my gaze, each of them too

remained heavy with silence

who it was that

I heard, not that it was hard. "After all your talk and that farce, to be acting like this? He's not even trying to hide that it was all a rouse for that human..... "Care to speak up a bit louder?" Tarofu asked, taking over before I had a chance to even think about it. It seemed he enjoyed these sorts of reaction. "I don't think everyone can hear you." Why

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CH104

learn young one. There is more to dealing with coat pilities

"You don't scare

is

feet. Turning Ari haman was cruel! I don't how you did it. We've

correct term is exemplary. Beyond

"You're just-

even." I leaned on

said. He is a coward. weakling, there are many in this world like him. Consider it practice for the Convening Why not just tell

not see you as anything more than an oddity. A favorite. Disarming them requires them to see a different side of you. Your interactions with Kai are already rattling their cages... Playing the role

Toward what?

gaining eyes into whatever schemes they may