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

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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but she said nothing more. As I turned to leave, I noted that her servant was glaring at me openly. For a moment, I wondered if she was also a part

her room and

went smoother than I thought

Who

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

She seemed rather bold to be glaring at

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

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

out, but there

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

'Search the room."

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

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

as thick gray smoke erupted from the

reacted instantly, covering their 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

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my voice

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

breath, I turned back toward the guards, who were

the window.

out the window." I turned back to the other half of the guards. "Send out a search party. Lock down the palace and the capital. No one

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

breeze hit my face, helping to clear the

about Lady Mei?" I asked. "Was she an active child?

Your Highness. If anything she's