The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 123

CH123 Morgan

"Are you going to talk to her right now?" Maya asked.

"Her and the others," I said, smirking. "They're not feeling the hurt of Tsuneo's end of their access to the royal funds. Could you work on finding out where they could also be getting their funds. from while I... sow some discord."

I opened the ledger. "You think Lady Maro knows she's only one of many?"

Maya jumped up. "I'm coming."

I laughed and looked at Anya. "Anya?"

She looked a little uncertain.

I could use a scribe and someone a little more familiar with the harem's expenses..."

She bit her lip, then nodded.

I closed the ledger with a snap, grinning, feeling mischievous, devious in a way I hadn't been able to in a long time. I had always been crafty when I needed, and it was so much better to bring people to a grinding halt by leveraging their own weaknesses against them. "What can you tell me about Lady Maro?"

I didn't know which one she was off the top of my head, but Maya had plenty to say. Lady Maro had always been one of the more... ambitious members of the harem, but this level of indulgence was probably the main reason she had never been considered to be a part of Haruka's council. To think she thought that no one would ever catch her, was telling.

She was a spoiled woman. Maya said she was a noble's daughter, his favored daughter and that noble's patriarch was an Elder. Figured.

I chuckled, smoothing down my robe and squaring my shoulders. This was going to be good as Maya kept giving me all the details I needed.

As I made my way through the corridors of the palace, I kept my steps firm and deliberate. The servants murmured as we passed, nodding their heads and smiling a bit. When I reached the harem's entrance. From there, Anya led the was to Lady Maro's chambers, I knocked once-loudly

and pushed the door open without waiting for an invitation.

CH123

a pile of silk pillows, surrounded by an array of luxurious

scent of jasmine, nearly overpowering.

knew goods. The amount of silk she ordered was enough for several hundred robes. She hadn't had nearly that much laundry

years.

even ruder than your

intend to be much

even moving from her comfortable position. "To what do I

De visit?"

and you'll be repaying every piece of gold over the amount set

like you've been spending

reported.

"You have no-"

with extravagant expenditures. I'll give you a moment to try and justify it before I

playing on her lips. "Oh, darling. Is that what this is about? Surely, you don't begrudge me a few luxuries. After all, as a member of the royal harem, I am entitled to certain... comforts." Her tone was dripping with condescension. "Not that you would know about that being just

"Luxuries? No. I suppose you need something to comfort you since the king would neve consider you as even half the woman as Queen Haruka. SHe flushed and sat up. "And I'm not worried about this obnoxious scent you have in the air

disdain. "I am a

in disdain that made

copious amounts of theft from

CH123

learn your lesson."

speak to me like that," she hissed. She scoffed, her eyes flashing with amusement. "When the king returns, we'll see how he

still living Elder, or

glared at me. "You talk a bit, but what are you going to do to teach me

be worried about since you want to play

you think anyone will care? Aren't there

my