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

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

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to leave, I noted that her servant was glaring at me openly. For a moment, I wondered if she was also a part

and continued down the

went smoother than I thought it would," Maya

servant. Who is

family's

She seemed rather bold to be

door stood slightly ajar. A frown tugged at my lips. From what I knew of her, it would be unusual for her

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

called out, but

kicking in. I stepped back, allowing

'Search the room."

spread out, 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,

that seemed slightly out of

yelled, instinctively ducking as thick gray smoke erupted from the wardrobe,

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.

CH136

I shouted, my voice muffled by 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

my breath, I turned back toward the

the window.

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

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

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

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

Highness. If anything she's