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.

there," she said bitterly, avoiding my

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

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turned to leave, I noted that her servant was glaring at me

and

than I

servant. Who

family's home.

to look into them. She seemed rather bold to be

what I knew of her, it would be unusual

room was dark, save for 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

out, but there was no

kicking in. I stepped back, allowing the guards to

'Search the room."

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 the staff

reaching for a wardrobe that seemed slightly out of place. Just as his hand touched the handle, a sharp hiss echoed through the room, followed by a loud

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

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

CH136

shouted, my voice muffled by the

just as

under my breath, I turned back toward the guards, who

the window.

guards. "Send out

hallway. I hadn't imagined that she would make it this easy to

The cool evening breeze hit my

Mei?" I asked. "Was she an active

anything she's always been quite