The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 136

CH136 Morgan

"I've passed that on to Tsuneo. He said that there's a list of sworn guards who can be trusted, and he'll work on getting the others sworn in or incarcerated to be investigated. "That will go for the staff, too. Everyone will be thoroughly screened, and the palace's defenses

will be restored before then."

Maya and Anya took note, before we could move on, a knock sounded on the door.

"Come in."

The door creaked open, and two guards entered.

"Your Majesty," one of them said, bowing respectfully, "we are ready to accompany you."

Was it that time already? I guessed so.

I nodded, standing from my chair. "Thank you. Maya? Anya?"

They stood as did Jun who hurried ahead to get back to her room before we arrived at the harem.

We walked down the long corridors, the flickering torches casting eerie shadows on the walls. My footsteps echoed against the marble floors, matching the rhythmic stride of the guards.

We stopped at the first door, and I nodded to the guard. He knocked firmly.

A moment later, the door opened, and Lady Maro appeared, her face still pale from dinner. I met her gaze, watching the resistance and irritation war in her eyes.

""Lady Maro."

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she stepped aside, allowing us to enter. Inside, there was a table piled with jewelry, gowns, and various other luxuries she had purchased with the extra funds.

she said

with us. Maya and Anya directed them on how to pack it up and separate it for cataloging. "The treasury will inspect everything, anything over the amount will be returned to you. If you are short, we'll be

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I noted that her servant was glaring at me openly. For

room and

went smoother than I thought it

Who

brought her own staff from her family's home.

look into them. She seemed rather bold to

tugged at my lips. From what I knew of her, it would be unusual for her to leave

room was dark, save for the flicker of a few candles left burning on a table near the far wall. Something felt off. The air was still, and a strange tension settled

called out, but there was

guards, my instincts kicking in. I stepped back, allowing the guards to go

'Search the room."

cautiously through the space. I stood near the entrance, my senses heightened. The longer I stayed,

of the guards moved toward the back of the room, reaching for a wardrobe that seemed slightly out of

ducking as thick gray smoke

was too thick, filling the room in seconds. I could barely see two feet in front of me

CH136

shouted, my voice

window. I lunged forward, my hand reaching out just as the figure moved, but the smoke made it impossible to see clearly. I heard a soft thud and a scuffle of feet, but by the time I made

my breath, I turned back toward the guards, who

the window.

other half of the guards. "Send out a search party. Lock down the palace and the capital.

back into the hallway. I hadn't imagined that she would make it

toward the nearest open window. The cool evening breeze hit

can you tell me about Lady Mei?" I asked. "Was she an active child? Grew

anything she's always