The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 139

CH139 Morgan

Who was this woman, and what was she talking about?

You may be a phoenix, but you're playing with the same fire as the rest of us, and it's only a matter of time before you get burned. The woman shook her head. There will be no light to resurrect you from those ashes, and he will not care. "Morgan?"

1 blinked away the vision, seeing Tsuneo standing in front of me. His eyes flickered with some sort. of knowledge. It probably wasn't his conscious thoughts. I smiled, pushing away the ominous feeling at the back of my mind. "Yes?"

He narrowed his eyes. "Are you alright?"

"Just fine," I said. "I suppose... you're here to usher me off to bed like a good husband?"

Maya snickered behind me. My face heated and a wry smile took over Tsuneo's face.

"To sleep at least, and eventually. For now, I actually came to ask about all the commotion." He stepped closer, cupping my face. "I felt you leave the palace."

Tsuneo

Her eyes widened. "You can tell when I leave?"

"I can..." Now, at least, but it was mostly Tarofu's doing. He'd been anxious when he'd felt her leave the palace and the city grounds. He'd only calmed down when he'd felt her heaving back to the palace.

"Mei," she said. "She tried to escape... I went after her and had her taken to the dungeons to think on what she wants to own up to in court. Though now that you've reminded me, is there a way to detain her family?"

I raised a brow, surprised at how swiftly she handled it, but not displeased.

"Of course. And her stall?"

better be

ruthlessness that I found both necessary and, if I were to admit it, deeply attractive. She wasn't hesitating, and in times like these, that

he

What is it?

a long moment. It's

terrible liar,

I said. "Maybe I should let you

laughed. "Not

She turned back to wave goodbye, and Maya

Heavens help me.

I woke up oddly refreshed. Tarofu was still troubled and silent. Morgan and I dressed for breakfast and headed to the dining hall where the rest of the family was. The air of the palace was thick with tension. It seemed like news of Mei's arrest had spread. Everyone seemed to be on edge or pissed off, as if they were all waiting for the next blow to fall. As we entered the dining hall, I could

with fury etched into his face. His hands clenched around the edges of his chair, his gaze never leaving me as if he had a lot to say and was

was so hard to remember his name... Or Tarofu

the atmosphere was

completety oblivious to the tension as he should be. I exchanged a brief glance with Morgan, her expression was unreadable but calm. I

me.

"You are lovely."

first and started to serve her and then. myself, hoping that the meal might dull the tension. Suddenly, when Mei's son rose suddenly, slamming his fist on the table. The sound echoed in the silent room. "How dare you imprison my mother!" he spat, his voice shaking with rage. "You have no right. You're not the king!

"No."

quiet. Everyone's eyes flicked between us, but I carried on

"What did you say?"

"It's a complete sentence."

"You have no right!"

are her son, I will at least give you the kindness to explain. Your mother violated the rulings of the queen, upon being faced with forcible corrections, she tossed a smoke bomb and tried to flee toward the tiger kingdom." I sipped. "Before we even get into the Why of her running, the fact that she abused her position and then refused

Much like his mother, it didn't

doesn't justify locking her away like a criminal!" He roared, taking a

tilted my head slightly. "She is a