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

silk pillows, surrounded by an array of luxurious

of jasmine, nearly overpowering. She glanced up lazily, her eyes narrowing when

to fool simple people, but I knew goods. The amount of silk she ordered was enough for several hundred robes. She

years.

ruder than

I intend to be much ruder," I

even moving from her comfortable position. "To what do

De visit?"

are out of control, and you'll be repaying every piece of gold

it doesn't seem like you've been spending it the way

reported.

"You have no-"

the palace accounts," I said, my voice cool. "And your name comes up repeatedly in connection with extravagant expenditures. I'll give you a moment to try and justify it before I have the staff start repossessing

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

you as even half the woman as Queen Haruka. SHe flushed and sat up. "And I'm not worried

"I am a member of the royal

room in disdain that made her

I'm concerned about your copious amounts of theft from the royal coffers

CH123

learn your lesson."

her eyes flashing with amusement. "When the

Elder, or one of the

but what are you going to do to teach me a lesson? You have no real power,

about since you want to play the part of

you think anyone will care?

most insignificant parts of my very long list."