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.

said bitterly, avoiding

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

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As I turned to leave, I noted that her servant was

room and continued

I thought it

Who is

from her family's home.

them. She seemed rather bold

arrived at Lady Mei's quarters, and the door stood slightly ajar. A frown tugged at my lips. From what I knew of her, it would be unusual

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

I called out, but there

kicking in. I stepped back,

'Search the room."

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

the guards 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

gray smoke erupted from the

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 couldn't afford another dose for whatever this

CH136

her!" I shouted, my voice muffled

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

toward

the window.

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

stepped back into the hallway. I hadn't imagined that she would make it this easy to have a reason to interrogate her

window. The cool evening breeze hit my

Mei?" I asked. "Was

anything she's