The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 113

CH113 Tsuneo

We

showered and sunk into the bath soon after, but Morgan started to nod off, so I pulled her out soon after. She murmured something, warm and sleepy as I gave her drying clothes and left her to get dressed alone.

I turned to the closet, retrieving sleepwear for the both of us. I offered her a sleeping robe as she came out still wrapped in her towel.

"It's meant to be cold tonight, the start of winter. Stay in the steam while I get the fire going."

She frowned. "It's midsummer."

I chuckled. "In the human realm, yes, but here, it is the beginning of winter. The Convening of the Celestial Compass will be the first day of spring."

She took the robe with a grateful nod, disappearing behind one of the dividers in the bathroom to peel off her towel. 1 busied myself slipping into my own and heading into the main chamber. I lit the fire with a burst of dark flames that caught quickly then burst into a bright orange flame, quickly filling the room with warmth.

As the fire crackled, I got the heated flooring activated and closed the window covers. I heard the soft rustling of fabric as she changed. I couldn't help but smile slightly, a sense of normalcy settling in amidst the chaos of everything else.

There was still so much to do, but at least these quiet moments were back. When she emerged, she was wrapped in the robe, her hair now looked a bit drier, and she had a rosy glow to her skin.

I crossed the room to her, pulling her into my arms. She melted into me, her head resting against my chest. For a long moment, neither of us said anything.

"We need to talk."

"There's a lot we should discuss before breakfast tomorrow." I chuckled. "It's guaranteed to be a show."

She pulled back, her eyes wide. "Do you even think they'll show up to breakfast?"

I blinked at that and burst into laughter. How did Morgan know my parents so well?

"Maybe not, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't. Kai's missed you."

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and nodded. We climbed in together and I pulled her close. The erant of her skim filling my nose set my heart at ease. As we lay together, lost in the quier of the night, I te the irritation and stress start to fade. As I drifted off to sleep, I murmured "I love

67.67.

morning, I woke up to the chill that had led the room outside of the Mankato, Mirgin was curled into my arms her breathing

morning." I whispered, my voice barely

stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Morning," she replied, her voice

on the lips. Her cheeks

think we have time to lay

gauging the time by the sliver of light coming

"Plenty."

And then, I remember everything that

bell began to ring, sending a song through the whole palace the way it had when Morgan had passed the Trial. My heart pounded. I sat up, exhilarated

my mother would make her reappearance as loud as

"What is that?"

smiled. "Summoning the royal

to see the look on my brothers and sisters faces when they saw mother, let alone the what the harem members would look like. As we made our way to the dining hall, I couldn't help but feel a

CH113

the family. My father was already there, his eyes filled with a joy and peace. He looked at least ten years young, seated in his usual seat. My mother sat beside him, drapped in her favorite ro my father's gold one trimmed in opal "Tather,"

up with a wry smile. I

led Morgan around the table toward them. And what did you have to

make her agreeable?"

she could be a petty

table. She threw her arms around me and squeezed tightly. She

well, little one." She pinched my cheek.

stepped aside, gesturing to Morgan.

Morgan

we were both unconscious. We spoke with Pyra about the kingdom and the next steps for us

flesh," she said and pulled back. "I look forward to causing