The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 126

CH126 Morgan

I thought about that for a moment, the truth of it settling deep inside me. "We wear crowns, live in grand palaces, and that distracts from the truth,

"The truth?"

"We're

still just people at the mercy of an establishment that isn't always fair."

Lady Jun nodded, her expression softening. "Hayato... he's been kind to me, despite everything that's been happening. He never pressured me or abused me. He encouraged me to... pursue all kinds of education when my brother wouldn't let me... I want to make things right with him." She clenched her jaw. "I want to be free."

I grinned. "That's most of the battle, you know.' I turned. "Join me and the council for dinner tonight. Tsuneo will likely be there." I paused. "I suppose I should look into who is a part of his council other than Doctor Shang."

Her lips quivered as she smiled through her tears. "Thank you, Crown Princess... for the opportunity. I will be there."

I nodded. "I have other people to scold. I'll see you later. And, no matter what your brother and whoever else had led you to believe, you're stronger than you realize, Lady Jun. Don't let anyone Elia, your brother, or even yourself-convince you otherwise."

We stood there for a while in silence, the gentle rustling of the wind through the trees offering a strange sense of calm. She nodded and I left, walking back inside with Maya and Anya.

"Why did you have her come outside?" Anya asked, frowning.

She smiled and wiggled my eyebrows. "Later. For now, we go to who is next on the list. Who is...?"

""Lady Mei."

Great. I didn't think that was Keiji's mother, but I couldn't be sure. Her extravagant spending habits seemed suspiciously similar to Lady Maro's. I headed to Lad

Mei's room. The door was

open and I entered, finding her lounging in a similar position to Lady Maro, draped in a bathing robe. Her servant was fanning her. "What do you want?"

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hand to Anya. who handed me th tally I'd put together. "Here's the preliminary amount. It'll be collected tonight. Lady Mei's face flushed crimson, her eyes filled with anger. "You

on trial to get answers, one way or another." I smiled. "And your family will be

eyes bulged. "You can't

if it is worse than I

She shuddered.

an

grumbled. "None of

I suggest you

Mei scoffed. "I

voice barely a whisper. "Then why don't I just have them collect

anger. She knew I was onto her, she knew she

she stammered, her voice barely

smiled. "Oh, But you are," I replied, my voice

will happen if

of pure hatred. "How dare you," she hissed, her voice barely a

ignored her insults. "I know what you're doing," I said, my voice firm.

a deep shade of crimson.

amusement. "I'll tell them about your affair with Elia. I'm sure you've angered enough staff members that they'll be

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CH126

of pure terror. She knew what that would mean, she knew the consequences of

fear tells me enough to know that I'm right." I turned. "I'll take it

we'll take your

pleaded, her voice barely a whisper. "You can't. It's been- my family- we'll be disgraced forever!

adults however... Well, I'm sure comfortable in the human dungeons

shook her head. "They didn't-It was

you'll be

I asked. "Maya? Anya? Isn't she related to one

so, Your

on two

had nothing to do