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.

she said

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 returned to you. If

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

and continued

smoother than I

Who

staff from her family's home. They tend

into them. She seemed rather bold to be glaring at

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

table near the far wall. Something felt

called out, but there was no

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

'Search the room."

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

moved toward the back of the room, reaching for a wardrobe that seemed slightly out of place.

thick gray smoke erupted from the wardrobe, billowing out

thick, filling the room in seconds. 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 suppose when she went back for the vial, she couldn't afford another dose for

CH136

her!" I shouted, my voice muffled by

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 of

under my breath, I turned back toward the guards,

the window.

went out the window." I turned back to the other half of the guards. "Send out a search party. Lock down the palace and the

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 and

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

me about Lady Mei?" I asked. "Was

Your Highness. If anything she's always been