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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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 collected tonight. Lady Mei's face flushed crimson, her eyes filled with anger. "You can't do

one way or another." I smiled. "And your family will be contacted to get the balance

"You

I said. "And if it is

She shuddered.

give you an

grumbled. "None of your

I

scoffed. "I

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

and anger. She knew I was

afraid of anything," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "And you can't

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

happen if

expression one of pure hatred. "How dare you," she

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

face turned a deep shade of

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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knew what that would

fear tells me enough to know that I'm right." I turned. "I'll take it in gold or coins." "Wait!" I looked back at her, waiting. "You can't... I

we'll take your family estate

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

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

head. "They didn't-It was

you'll be

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

so, Your

traitor on two

to do with