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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CH126

everything you spent over your allotted budget. I held out my hand to Anya. who handed me th tally I'd put together. "Here's the preliminary amount. It'll be

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

"You

it is worse than I think, you'll

She shuddered.

"I'll give you an opportunity to tell me where it all

"None of

to lie, but I suggest you

scoffed. "I have

I asked, my voice barely a whisper. "Then why don't I

with fear and anger. She knew

she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "And you

replied, my voice barely a whisper.

if the

pure hatred. "How dare you," she

her insults. "I know what you're doing," I

turned a deep shade

them about your affair with Elia. I'm sure you've angered enough staff

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CH126

terror. She knew what that would mean, she

I'm right." I turned. "I'll take it in gold or

we'll take

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

we can take in the children as wards... The adults however... Well, I'm sure comfortable in the human dungeons until you die as

"They

you'll be

"Maya? Anya? Isn't she related to one of the dead Elders?" Her eyes

believe so,

traitor on two

to