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

pack it up and separate it for cataloging. "The treasury will inspect everything, anything over the amount will be returned to you.

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leave, I noted that her servant was glaring at me openly. For a moment, I

room and continued

I thought it

servant. Who

her family's home. They tend to keep to

'I'll need to look into them. She seemed rather

door stood slightly ajar. A frown tugged at my lips. From what I knew of her, it would be unusual for her to leave it open like that. I motioned for the guards

the flicker of a few candles left burning on a table near the far wall. Something felt off.

Mei?" I called out, but

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

'Search the room."

I stood near the entrance, my senses heightened. The longer I stayed, the more I felt something wasn't right. "Maya,

that seemed slightly out of place. Just as his hand touched the handle, a sharp hiss echoed through the

ducking as thick gray smoke erupted from the wardrobe, billowing out in

feet in front of me as I coughed, the acrid scent stinging my lungs. It wasn't poison it seemed.

CH136

her!" I shouted, my voice

hand reaching out just as

turned back toward the guards, who were fanning the

the window.

She went out the window." I turned back to the other half of the guards. "Send out a

imagined that she would make it this easy to have a

open window. The cool evening breeze hit my face, helping to clear the lingering smoke from my

me about Lady Mei?" I asked. "Was she an active child? Grew up in

Your Highness. If anything she's