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 bitterly, avoiding my

see," I said, nodding to the guards and the small group of staff who had come with us. 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

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leave, I noted that her servant was glaring at me

and continued

smoother than I thought it would,"

Who

family's home. They tend

look into them. She

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

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

Mei?" I called out,

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

'Search the room."

senses heightened. The longer I

seemed slightly out of place. Just as his hand touched the handle, a sharp hiss echoed through the room, followed by

ducking as thick gray smoke erupted from the

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

CH136

I shouted, my voice muffled by the

had clearly 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 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 window, the figure was

turned back toward the guards, who were fanning the

the window.

the guards. "Send out a search party. Lock down the palace and the capital. No

imagined that she would make it this easy to have a reason to interrogate

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

asked. "Was she an active child? Grew up

Your Highness. If anything she's always been quite