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.

all there," she said bitterly, avoiding

small group of staff who had come with us. Maya and Anya directed them on how to pack it up and separate

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turned to leave, I noted that her servant was

room and continued down the

than I

servant. Who

staff from her family's home. They tend

nodded. 'I'll need to look into them. She seemed rather bold to be glaring at me

I knew of her, it would be unusual for her to leave it open like that. I motioned for the guards to stay

burning on a table near the far wall.

called out, but

guards, my instincts kicking in.

'Search the room."

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

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

as thick gray smoke erupted from the

reacted instantly, covering their mouths and trying to fan the smoke away, but it was too thick, filling the room in seconds. I could barely see two feet in front of me as I coughed, the acrid

CH136

I shouted, my voice muffled by the

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 of feet, but

breath, I turned back toward the

the window.

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

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

window. The cool evening breeze hit my face, helping to clear the

about Lady Mei?" I asked. "Was she

anything she's always been