The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 59

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Morgan

There was that word again.

Mae 1) Ele”

"Ease your heart. What matters most is the bond you share, the trust you are building." He leaned. forward, his

voice dropping to a low murmur. "It's been a long tsince I've seen Tsuneo so... engaged. He cares for you,

Morgan. That much is clear."

A warmth bloomed in my chest at the King's words. "I am starting to care for him as well, Your Majesty, |

admitted, surprised by my own candor. It almost feels like a lifethas passed since the Trial,..

"lI am glad. Though we will never forget that period of time, it is good not to dwell on it," the king said, a glint of

amusement in his eyes. "But before love stories and happily ever afters," he added, his voice turning serious, "I

have to warn you about the remaining Elders and the factions at

work.

"The Elders, | echoed, the gravity of the situation returning. Are they all like the ones that were with Keiji?"

"No. Sare worse." The King shook his head sadly. "Knowing Tsuneo, | do not expect many of them to survive

his wrath if they have aims against you."

My breath caught in my throat. | remembered the bloodbath from my kidnapping.

"Could I... convince him otherwise?"

He smiled. "I suppose only twill tell about what sort of sway you have over my son..."

"Why do they hate me? | didn't ask to be here..."

"It is an old issue. Many have issues with the fact that their daughters cannot simply step into the position of the

queen, though they are eligible to be in the harem. Do you think you'll have children, Morgan?" grimaced. "No."

He smiled. "That is perfectly fine. Though, depending on how things go... Perhaps give sthought about

members of Tsuneo's harem."

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I wrinkled my nose. "I know at least one person who would jump at the chance."

He laughed. "Ari you mean. She is not eligible."

1 frowned. "Why is that?"

He blinked. "She is otherwise entangled."

Did she know that?"

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He shook his head. "That is a long way away. For now, know that more than you know, Morgan, your bravery,

your level-headedness, and temperament can be a powerful tool for unity. But for now," he added, his voice

softening, "you need rest. And perhaps more twith Tsuneo as a couple." He gestured toward the day. "Come

in, son.

The door trembled and Tsuneo leaned in tentatively.

"Father..."

"He's been waiting for you," the king said, his voice filled with a knowing smile. Tsuneo flushed.

"Go on. | believe you two have a date planned?"

With a nod, | rose from my seat. | headed toward him and took his head, letting him leadout

of the room.

"Everything okay?"

I nodded. "Fine, I think... He mentioned your harem."

He wrinkled his nose. Yeah, let's talk about that. At least half a century from now."

| laughed. "How long do you think humans live?"

He smirked at me, a knowing look on his face. "I suppose you'll have to see."

We ended up eating lunch in our chambers as Tsuneo seemed to be growing tired. | didn't mind climbing back

into bed with him for an afternoon nap. A gentle breeze ruffled the silken curtains, carrying the sweet scent of

blooming jasmine into the room. Sunlight slanted through the window, casting a warm glow on Tsuneo's face as

he slept beside me. A content sigh escaped my lips. If things could always be this peaceful it would be too soon.

A few days passed since my talk with the king, and a sense of peace had settled over us. We'd fallen into a

comfortable routine, the shared bath at the end of each day becoming an intimate ritual. Soaked in the warm,

lavender-scented water we'd talk about our days, sharing stories and

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laughter that echoed softly off the stone walls. Lunchtfound us stealing moments together in the palace

gardens, the stolen bites of food punctuated by whispered secrets and lingering touches. He was just as busy as

| was, but he made tto cwithto the human realm when he could. He helped mend fences, shared

his knowledge of agriculture, and even enjoyed a good-natured gof catch with sof the children.

Despite the growing closeness, our relationship hadn't progressed beyond heated kisses. | could. tell he wanted

more, but he didn't push me. Tsuneo was patient, respecting my boundaries and unspoken anxieties. For the first

tsince arriving in this strange, beautiful kingdom, | felt a flicker of something akin to normalcy. A normaley so

profound, it almost allowedto forget the bizarre circumstances that had broughthere.

We met in the hallway heading back to his room, or our room as it had become. He sighed deeply as soon as the

door closed behind us and drewclose for a sweet kiss.

"I haven't seen you all day," he grumbled, burying his face into my shoulder. | laughed.

"We've got a few hours. Bath?"

He hummed, and we headed to the bathroom. We showered and slipped into the bathtub. The steam curled

aroundin a fragrant embrace as | sank deeper into the warm water. Leaning back against the cool tiles, |

glanced across the vast bath at Tsuneo. His brow was furrowed in concentration, a stark contrast to the usual

relaxed expression he wore during our nightly ritual.

"What troubles you?" | asked, my voice soft in the quiet of the room.

He sighed; the sound heavy with frustration. "The public hearings," he admitted, running a hand through his

damp hair. "They've been... unproductive, to say the least."

Concern tugged at my heart. "What happened? Did the Elders resist the idea of cooperating with

the humans?

Tsuneo snorted. "Resist? That's putting it mildly. They practically launched into a tirade about our supremacy,

taxes, and so on. It's an age-old argument. All the accusations about humans of wanting to steal our magic."

He rolled his eyes. "It's fear-mongering and greed for power and control."

My stomach clenched. That kind of attitude wouldn't lead to progress. "But surely, sof them must see the

value in establishing a relationship after all this time. What about all the stuff about the two realms needing to

drain into each other?"

"A few," he conceded. "But their voices are drowned out by the ones clinging to the old ways. They

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don't believe the danger exists, or that it's not that serious."

A thoughtful silence descended between us, broken only by the gentle lapping of the water. An idea sparked in

my mind, a way to bridge the gap between the two sides.

"Tsuneo," | began, hesitantly at first, "what if | attended the next hearing? Maybe if they heard a human voice

speaking about it, it might change their perspective."

He smiled. "I was going to suggest you come."

He reached across the water, his hand brushing against mine. "I'd love that."

"I'll... get to see what you do all day." | squeezed his hand back, a warmth spreading throughthat had

nothing to do with the bathwater. He laughed. "Be prepared to be bored, though."

| really don't like the idea of him having a harem of her not wanting children. | somehow have a feeling that

these 2 will be different and he won't have a harem and she will en....