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,

said, 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

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

and

I thought it

servant. Who

family's home.

into them. She seemed rather bold to

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

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

Mei?" I called out, but

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

'Search the room."

space. I stood near the entrance, my senses heightened.

of place. Just as his hand touched the handle,

I yelled, instinctively ducking as thick gray smoke

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,

CH136

I shouted, my voice muffled by

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

my breath, I turned back toward the guards, who

the window.

of the guards. "Send out

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 he relationship with Elia

hit

Mei?" I asked. "Was

If anything she's always been