The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 135

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Morgan 085

I shuddered as the door closed behind me. My hand skimmed over my concealed sword. I wasn't

sure what I would do this time, especially now that he had no real means to catch me off guard.

The image of that battlefield, the blood and the burning air filled my mind. Pyra shuddeered and retreated further into my mind, recoiling from the memory.

As uncomfortable as it made her, she had to accept that it was a part of her.

The darkness and death she'd caused, the darkness that she loved in Tarofu was a part of her.

I rested my head back against the door and took a deep breath, hoping and wishing that things wouldn't be so hard going forward. Something told me that was just wishful thinking, but I had to have some hope.

I didn't see Tsuneo until later that evening, when it was time for dinner. The room was tense. I

could feel the weight of everyone's stares, even before I had said anything. The long table was set, glimmering with polished silverware and the finest dishes, as though the grandeur could mask the growing resentment. But nothing could, not tonight..

I glanced down at Kai, swinging his legs happily as if nothing was wrong. It was charming to see him happily enjoying his food, oblivious to the tension in the room.

Tsuneo sat beside me, quiet but present as always. I appreciated his steady calm. This wasn't going to be easy, but it had to be done.

I took a deep breath, casting a sweeping glance around the table. Lady Maro sat with a cool indifference that didn't quite hide her arrogance and anger. Lady Jun was more composed, though her hands fidgeted subtly in her lap. The rest of the family was quiet, avoiding eye contact, waiting for whatever was coming.

1 cleared my throat to address the family.

you all know," I said, my voice steady, "we've been reviewing the royal

Lady Maro stiffen ever so slightly, but I kept my gaze

Haruka were meant to ensure that the palace functioned. smoothly and fairly for everyone." I paused, letting the weight of my words settle over them. "But

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spent far beyond your allotted

silverware against a plate as Kai innocently fumbled with his food. The tension grew thick, like the still air before a storm. I kept my eyes scanning over the

to gather the items purchased with the extra funds and return them to the royal treasury-or repay the value in gold. I've had your personal attendants made aware of the amounts and will leave it to you to decide what

followed. Heavy and

the first to break it. "You expect us to

no room for "This is not up for debate. The money spent belongs to

argument.

say. I could see the rebellion in her eyes, the way she bristled at the idea of being held accountable. But the memory of Ari, and what Tsuneo had done to her, hung in the air like a shadow. She paled, the fight

a reason," I continued, softer now but no

then you chose to face the consequences

shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her hands now tightly clasped in her lap. She had spent

instructions, you will have a much

speak, but the woman beside her stopped her, whispering

his eyes darting between me and his plate, oblivious to the tension that

"Are we getting dessert?"

at Tsuneo, who chuckled softly. beside me, and

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are. It'll

I'm so hungry! My tutor had me running around

room