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

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

CH136

85%1

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

left her room and continued down

than I thought

Who

from her family's home. They tend to keep

need to look into them. She seemed rather bold to be glaring

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

candles left burning on a table near

out, but there was

kicking in. I stepped back, allowing the guards to go

'Search the room."

moving 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

wardrobe that seemed slightly out of place.

as thick gray smoke erupted from the wardrobe, billowing

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

CH136

I shouted, my voice muffled by

planned to escape, 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

my breath, I turned back toward the

the window.

half of the guards. "Send out a

back into the hallway. I hadn't imagined that she would make

cool evening breeze hit my face, helping to clear the lingering smoke from

I asked. "Was she an

Your Highness. If anything