The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 44

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Morgan

Ari's bravado seemed to falter for a moment, her gaze flickering betweenand Tsuneo. Then,

with a defiant toss of her head, she spat, "I will not apologize to a human usurper."

The room erupted in gasps. The concubines, who had been mere observers until now, exchanged. wide-eyed

glances, the weight of Ari's words settling heavily in the air. Usurper?

"She's stolen the place of your rightful bride! The rightful queen!"

The nerve of her. Fury surged through me, hot and potent. | didn't care about her thoughts aboutbeing here.

She was an idiot and asked to be here. It was the principal of the thing. This woman, this viper, had the audacity

to speak of a 'rightful bride" while simultaneously

disrespecting the memory of Tsuneo's mother? | clenched my fists, the urge to slap the smug look off her face

threatening to consme.

But before | could react, Tsuneo did. His voice, when he spoke again, was devoid of any warmth, a chilling echo

of the fury simmering beneath the surface.

"Guards!" he boomed, his voice echoing through the room. The doors flew open with a bang, revealing two stoic

figures clad in black armor. It was my guard, the Queen's Guard, oddly enough., Their presence alone

commanded respect, their silence a stark contrast to the commotion that had just unfolded.

Tsuneo didn't waste any words on explanations. He pointed a rigid finger at Ari. "Escort Lady Ari back to her

chambers," he commanded his guards, his voice laced with steel. "And seize any and all items that may have

belonged to my mother."

A collective gasp rippled through the room. Ari's face paled, the color draining from her cheeks like blood from a

severed vein. "No, Tsuneo! You can't do this!" she shrieked, her voice laced with desperation. "Those are my

things! Gifts from your mother!" "You're a liar. As such, | can't believe a word out of your mouth." His gaze held a

chilling emptiness, devoid of any sympathy for her plight. We will determine the legitimacy of those claims

later," he said, his voice cold.

The guards marched forward, their movements swift and efficient. Ari, realizing the futility of resistance, slumped

in defeat. As they shered her out of the room, she cast a final venomous glare in my direction, promising silent

threats that hung heavy in the air. The doors slammed shut behind them, leaving a heavy silence in their wake.

The tension in the

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room remained palpable, the weight of the confrontation hanging in the air.

Tsumco

The heavy oak doors slammed shut with a finality that mirrored the state of my emotions. The air hung thick

with the residue of Ari's defiance, her venomous words echoing in the cavernous chamber.

Rightful bride. | scoffed. It was a blatant challenge to Morgan's position and, by extension, mine. | had to figure

out how to deal with her later after | had to calm down a bit. Fury gnawed at me, a cold, metallic tang in my

throat. Disloyalty, | could handle. But disrespect towards my wife, the woman who had not only saved my life but

also begun to breach the walls I'd built around my heart - that was something | wouldn't tolerate. Especially now

when everything in this situation. was already working against our relationship. Ari was a spoiled brat. She

always had been. A lot of that was my father's fault, allowing her to be treated like a princess rather than a ward.

But more of that was the concubine's fault for filling her head with nonsense.

wa

It didn't matter that her father was a war hero. A dragon's heart was not swayed by diplomacy or bound by

politics.

My gaze fell on Morgan, her posture relaxed, a hint of a satisfied smile playing on her lips. The sight of it, a stark

contrast to the turmoil within me, sent a calming wave washing over my dragon. Contentment, a feeling | hadn't

known | craved, swirled within him, mirroring my own desire for peace and normalcy. She was also undeniably

sexy right now.

"Morgan," | began, my voice rough with the remnants of anger, "I apologize for the spectacle."

She turned to face me, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Spectacle?" she questioned, a playful lilt in her

voice. "It was more of a one-woman show, wouldn't you say?"

A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of my lips. Indeed," | conceded. "But a show nonetheless, and one that

shouldn't have happened in the first place."

Her smile softened, her gaze meeting mine with a warmth that sent a familiar flutter in my chest. "Don't worry

about it, Tsuneo," she said, her voice gentle. "It seems your... little sister has a rather inflated sense of her own

importance."

"Sister, | scoffed, the bitterness of the word leaving a sour taste in my mouth. "Ari is no sister of mine. Not

anymore. No sister of mine would treat you like this."

1 met her gaze, a silent understanding passing between us.

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"Leave her to me," | assured her, my voice firm. "I will speak with her... or perhaps my father can have a word.

One way or another, she will be brought into line. If she will not see reason after

that, you have my full support to do as you feel you must."

The corners of her lips curved upwards in a genuine smile, a sight that sent a jolt of pure pleasure through my

dragon. Seeing her happy, content... it filled a void | hadn't even realized existed. Perhaps, just perhaps, amidst

the chaos and uncertainty, a seed of something real, something hopeful, had begun to take root. | cupped her

face.

"I hope you are not deeply offended."

She scoffed. "I'm not offended at all."

| pressed a kiss to her forehead and sighed. "This is not how | wanted your few days after what happened to go."

"What's life without a little ?"

| chuckled. Seeing her amusement, her willingness to move on, soothed the prickling unease within me.

With a newfound lightness in my step, | gestured towards the doorway. "Shall we return to our chambers, My

Lady?"

Morgan's smile widened, a playful glint in her eyes. "Lead the way, Your Highness."

"I'll get this cleaned and returned, Maya said with a slight bow and a knowing smile.

"Thank you, Maya... Do make sure that it's all returned and held for Morgan?"

She grinned. "Down to the last bracelet and earring, Your Majesty."

| turned back to the kitchen staff. "My apologies for the interruption."

Then we left. As we walked side-by-side down the opulent corridors, a comfortable silence settled. between us.

Yet, the weight of the unspoken hung in the air. The events of the afternoon had. brought us closer. | could see it

in her eyes, feel it in her aura. She seemed to trustmore.

We reached the heavy wooden doors of our chambers, and | paused, a thought striking me.

"Morgan," | said, my voice hesitant. "Would you... care to joinfor lunch? Before you return to... your realm

this afternoon?"

Her smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "Lunch? she echoed, a

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hint of amusement in her voice. "Is this... a date, Your Highness?"