The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 124

CH124

Morgan

Finally, Lady Maro swallowed hard, nodding once. I'll... I'll have it ready in a few days."

"Tonight, I said and turned.

"That's ridiculous!"

"Aren't the silks and things here?" I cocked an eyebrow. "I think letting you have until tonight is

more than generous."

She shut her mouth. I narrowed my eyes.

.or

"I'll take it in gold, jewels, or goods, Lady Maro. Tonight."

Without waiting for a response, I turned to leave. Then, I slowed as I reached the door, preparing

for the actual blow.

"Before I go..." I looked back at her. "Do you know where Elia is?"

Lady Maro hesitated, her eyes darting nervously from side to side. "No," she replied, her voice

barely a whisper. "Why would I know where he's gone? He was banished."

I raised an eyebrow, my eyes fixed on her. "Are you sure?" I asked, my voice filled with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity.

Lady Maro's eyes widened, her expression one of fear. "I don't know. How dare you accuse me

I shrugged.

"That's too bad," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "If you happen to see him, tell him that his brother, the king, is going to formally adopt his son." "His son?" She asked.

"Of course. Don't you think Kai will make a great addition to the family? He certainly deserves the luxuries of the palace, even though his father is a traitor."

I could see the pain welling up in her eyes, maybe even a bit of betrayal, but I

knew that she would deliver the message... probably not

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news of Kai's adoption would be a bitter pill for Elia to swallow. He seemed to be a jealous and possessive man. And there was a good chance that Lady Maro would pass what happened to Ari as well, but I'd see. I hoped that the news would force Elia to do something hasty, so we could deal with him before the Convening, but given our luck, there was a good chance that he was

had planted a seed of doubt in Lady Maro's mind. All I had to do was wait. As I left Lady Maro's chambers,

stunned. "I'm seeing a

Let's get going to Lady Jun's chambers. It's better to give the speech to as many as possible right now so they'll all be ready

Lady Jun. Maya seemed confused. She seemed to know I

Lady Jun wasn't exactly at the top of the list for other suspects,

harem records, Lady Jun had been

a traitor. That could mean

was certain of was that I needed to talk to her. She was softer than Lady Maro. Was she desperate for love, for attention? Maybe

on the door

Lady Jun

Princess," she said. "What brings

need to speak to you. May I

Her room was nowhere near as lavish

servant coming out of the bathing chamber. She wasn't a palace

from side to side. "You need

asked, her voice

About Elia."

eyes widened, her expression one

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about him?" she

a flicker of amusement playing on my lips. I heard you had quite the relationship with him before he

Jun's face paled, her eyes filled

loyalties lie,' she stammered, still

file in my hand. Her eyes dropped to

never taken more than Queen Haruka

true, but based on your living quarters

more nervous. She turned to

woman scurried away. I narrowed my eyes and she turned, starting

in any way," she said, fretting her hands. "I... I simply... I was lonely with the king away and... The borders-" "Where did the money go

The border wars have been... hard on my family. You cannot fault me for that." "Maybe,"