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

and Anya directed them on how to pack it up and separate it for cataloging. "The treasury will inspect everything, anything

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

her room and continued down the

smoother than I thought it

Who

her own staff from her family's home.

them. She

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

near the far

called out, but there

a glance with the guards, my instincts kicking in.

'Search the room."

spread out, moving cautiously through the space. I stood near the entrance, my senses heightened. The longer I stayed, the more I felt something wasn't right. "Maya, Anya have

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

ducking as thick gray smoke erupted from

two feet in front of me as I coughed, the acrid scent stinging my lungs. It wasn't poison it seemed. I suppose when she went back for the vial, she couldn't afford another dose

CH136

shouted, my voice muffled

lunged forward, my hand reaching out just as the figure moved, but the smoke made it impossible to see clearly. I heard

breath, I turned back toward the guards, who were fanning the

the window.

back to the other half of the guards. "Send out a search party.

she would make it this easy to have a reason

the nearest open window. The cool evening breeze hit

I asked. "Was she an

Highness. If anything she's always been quite