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.

said bitterly, avoiding

nodding to the guards and the small group of staff who had come 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

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expression darkened, but she said nothing more. As I turned to leave, I noted that her servant was glaring at me openly. For a

her room and continued

went smoother than I thought it

Who

own staff from her family's

them. She seemed rather

the door stood slightly ajar. A frown tugged at my lips. From what I knew of her, it would be unusual for

dark, save for the flicker of a few candles left burning on a table near the far wall. Something felt

called out, but there

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

'Search the room."

entrance, my senses heightened. The longer I stayed, the more I felt

out of place. Just as his

down!" I yelled, instinctively ducking as thick gray smoke

seconds. I could barely see two feet in front of me as

CH136

her!" I shouted, my voice muffled by

planned to escape, but she couldn't have gotten far. Through the haze, I saw a shadow dart toward the back of the room, heading toward the 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

back toward the guards,

the window.

of the guards. "Send out a search party. Lock

guards scrambled to follow my orders, and I stepped back into the hallway. I hadn't imagined that she would make it this easy to have a reason to interrogate her about

moved toward the nearest open window. The cool evening breeze hit my face, helping to

I asked. "Was

anything she's always been quite