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

to pack it up and separate it for cataloging. "The treasury will inspect everything, anything over the amount will be returned to you. If you are short,

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expression darkened, but she said nothing more. As I turned to leave, I noted that her servant was glaring at me openly. For a moment, I wondered if she was

her room and continued

than I thought it would,"

servant. Who

own staff from her family's home. They tend to keep

She

ajar. A frown tugged at my lips. From what I knew of her, it would be unusual for her to leave it open like that. I motioned for

candles left burning on a table near the far wall. Something felt off. The air was still, and a

I called out,

kicking in. I

'Search the room."

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

ducking 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 scent stinging my lungs. It wasn't poison it seemed. I suppose when she went back for the vial, she

CH136

I shouted, my voice muffled by the

out just as the figure moved, but the smoke made it impossible to

toward the guards, who were fanning

the window.

the guards. "Send out a search party. Lock down the

to follow my orders, and I stepped back into the hallway. I hadn't imagined that she would make it

breeze hit my face, helping to clear the

I asked. "Was she an active child? Grew up

Your Highness. If anything she's always been