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

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

one way or another." I smiled. "And your family will be contacted to get the balance from their estate, even if that means

bulged. "You

if it is

She shuddered.

an opportunity

grumbled. "None of

but I suggest

scoffed. "I have nothing

"Then why don't I just have them

paled, her eyes filled with fear and anger. She knew I was

of anything," she stammered, her voice barely a

"Oh, But you are," I replied, my voice barely a whisper. "You're

what will happen if the truth

of pure hatred. "How dare you," she

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

turned a deep shade of crimson. This was too

a mixture of menace and amusement. "I'll tell them about your affair with Elia. I'm sure you've angered enough staff members that they'll be glad to tell exactly how often you vanish to

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CH126

Mei's eyes widened, her expression one of pure terror. She knew what that would

turned. "I'll take it in gold or coins." "Wait!" I looked back at her, waiting.

said, we'll take

whisper. "You can't. It's been- my family-

in the children as wards... The adults however... Well,

her head. "They

you'll be

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

so, Your

traitor on

to do with