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

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

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to leave, I noted that her servant was

room and continued down

than I thought it would,"

Who is

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

them. She seemed rather bold

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

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

called out, but there was no

exchanged a glance with the guards, my instincts kicking

'Search the room."

near the entrance, my senses heightened. The longer I stayed, the more I felt something wasn't right.

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

gray smoke erupted from the wardrobe, billowing out in

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

CH136

I shouted, my voice muffled

the back of the room, heading toward the window. I lunged forward, my hand reaching out just

back toward

the window.

other half of the guards. "Send out a search party. Lock down the

I hadn't imagined that she would make it this

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

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

Highness. If anything she's always