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

Maya and Anya directed them on how to pack it up and separate it

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As I turned to leave, I noted that her servant was glaring at me openly. For a moment, I

and

than I

Who is

own staff from her family's home. They tend

them. She seemed rather bold

and the door stood slightly 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 the guards to stay alert as I pushed the door open, stepping

near the far wall. Something felt off. The air was still, and a strange tension settled over the

out,

kicking in. I stepped back, allowing

'Search the room."

cautiously through the space. I stood near the entrance, my senses heightened. The longer I stayed, the more

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

gray smoke erupted from the

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.

CH136

I shouted, my

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 feet, but by the time I made it to the

back toward the guards, who were

the window.

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

imagined that she would make

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

asked. "Was she an active child? Grew up

Your Highness. If anything she's always