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wounds 25

The Dragon King’s Substitute Bride.

CH25

Morgan

I scoffed. I knew from the night before that he was a mischievous old man, but jeez. Though, I was glad that there was a bit of light in his eyes.

“Well, pons, if it’s any consolation, I feel worse for wear,” I gestured to Ari. “That one is screeching, and your other son has insinuated that I’m sleeping with Doctor Shang.”

He laughed. “Little Shang’s love is his work at the moment.” He looked at Ari. “I thought I was clear about getting along with Tsuneo’s queen.”

“She’s keeping me from seeing him.

“It’s her right.” Her jaw dropped. “I’ve been taking care of him all these years!”

“And you could not pass the Trial. He is married now. You should be relieved. It’s only a matter of time before he wakes, and he’ll be at your wedding like you’ve always wanted.”

She glared at me, and I shook my head. The old man was delusional if he thought she wanted Tsuneo at her wedding and not standing across the aisle from her. He looked down, and his eyes. brightened.

“Anya, what are you doing here? Are you getting fruit juice all over the doctor?” He scooped the little girl into his arms. She let out a little giggle that felt like a prick in my heart. Grief hit me. hard, and I averted my gaze. “You’re red. That mother of yours get you sick again?”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, looking over his shoulder at me. There was something a little unsettling in her gaze, and I thought back to the night before. Was she a mermaid?

“It can’t be proper for a young,

unmarried man to have breakfast with the queen,” Ari hissed.

“Doctor Shang is an esteemed member of Tsuneo’s retinue. There’s nothing improper about it at

He smiled at me. “Probably here to give her a cure for that headache I know she has.”

I looked at Doctor Shang, and he pulled a vial out of his robes and offered it to me.

“For your head.” He gestured across the way to the box. “For the others.”

“Thanks. You really should….” He shut his eyes, going lax in his seat and clearly asleep. The king

shook his head.

725

“Let him sleep.” He put his plate on the table and reloaded Anya’s plate. “As you are up and functioning. I’ll hopefully see you sometime later. Maya.”

She nodded her head. “Uncle.”

He grinned and left, cooing at Anya. “It’s been a while since you’ve spent the day with me, hm?”

The door closed behind him as Ari and Keiji followed him out. I looked over at Maya.

“Is… Anya his daughter or granddaughter?”

“Daughter.”

I shook my head and took the vial of medicine. Then, a sharp knock on the door came. I gestured it open, revealing a young guard, his face serious.

“Your Majesty,” he announced, bowing slightly. “The next supply delivery is prepared and awaits you in the foyer.”

Perfect timing, I thought with a sigh.

“Thank you. I’ll get started on that.“I pushed to my feet, ate the rest of my pastry, and grabbed some meat. “Maya, would you mind looking after Doctor Shang?”

Maya nodded eagerly. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

She nudged him gently, waking him. Then, they were gone, heading down the hallway. A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. I wondered if Maya had a crush on Doctor Shang or if they were just fellows in arms in this crazy palace. I slipped into shoes, leaving the rest of the food. there on the table. I exited with my bag for the day and the medications. I locked the door behind me with a barrier. The guard from earlier was still there. He escorted me to the mirror nearest Tsuneo’s bedroom so I could arrange for the pickup and delivery of the medication. That guard switched out for a seasoned–looking female guard who fell into step beside me. Her presence was reassuring. Keiji, at least, wouldn’t be a problem.

“Please wait for me here. I’ll be back shortly.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

the halls to where the mirror was. The surface of the mirror

Together, we made our way el quickly.

rippled as I stepped through. I found Ael quickly.

He scanned me quickly, his brow furrowing slightly, “You alright? You look like you haven’t slept.”

CH25

I grimaced. “Long story,” I muttered, collapsing onto the nearby bench with a sigh. “But the good news is, I’m back. And I brought supplies.”

Ael gave a relieved smile, taking the box of medicine. “I’ll send word to head to the cave… Speaking of news, your family has sent messages about the business. Not really addressed to you, but you should probably see them.”

“How nice of them to make it easy for me.”

I went back through and let the guard lead me to the foyer. Once I’d gotten everything through the gateway, I headed back to the other mirror and left Ael’s unit’s house, walking despite the regal caravan that had been restored from my use. I didn’t want the pomp and circumstance, and I wasn’t going to take it if I didn’t have to. Instead, one of Ael’s unit trailed along with me as an

escort.

The news about the family business gnawed at me. I paid the bills that had been on the books; had I missed something? Maybe it was some other trouble? What kind of trouble, though? Pushing thoughts of Tsuneo, the crazy morning, and all the rest to the back of my mind, I walked on. People looked at me, pointed, and whispered. The rumors would get out of control soon enough.

Soon, I reached the familiar sight of the Ryuyama Silks and Tailoring shop. Taking a fortifying breath, I steeled myself for whatever awaited me inside.

Pushing open the familiar door, a wave of nostalgia hit me. Seeing worn wooden shelves and the sight of bolts of fabric and accessories was like stepping back in time. But the atmosphere inside the shop was different. Gone was the usual bustle of customers, replaced by a tense silence.

Three figures stood behind the counter Goro and Adele and an aunt who usually ran the shop. Their faces were now lined with worry. The moment they saw me, the air crackled with a mix of shock and disbelief. My aunt didn’t move.

“Morgan?” Goro gasped, his voice thick with emotion. “Is it… is it really you?”

Adele rushed forward, lunging for me. I stepped back, and my escort stepped between us.

‘Please keep your distance from Her Majesty unless asked.”

My aunt’s gaze flicked between me and the guard.

“So, it’s true then,” she finally drawled, her voice dripping with disdain. “You’ve gone and become the…dragon queen.”

CH25

I wasn’t surprised that the rumors had reached them already, but her disdain was telling. Part of me knew that a lot of people would have an issue with the Dragon King stepping back into the human realm. Before I could respond, she threw up her hands.

“It’s the least you should do after your father’s death, given it’s all your fault in the first place!”

I blinked. “Excuse you?”

“If you hadn’t stepped down, we wouldn’t have been in this position in the first place!”