The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 77

CH77

Morgan

Hiro burst into fresh, heart-wrenching sobs and buried his face in my shoulder, clinging to me. He felt so small in

my arms. His sobs were muffled against my shoulder. He trembled, and | couldn't figure out what to say.

"Promiseyou won't abandon me," he cried, his voice filled with desperation. "Promise?"

| promise," | whispered, my voice barely audible. TI always be here for you,"

As he cried, | couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. It was a relief to know that he knew. The truth was out, and

while it was painful, it was also liberating. At the very least, he'd be able to start processing it all.

| know it hurts right now, but it will get better. And when you're free to leave the hospital," | continued, my voice

firm, Tm taking you with me.

"Takingwith you where?"

The dragon realm."

He gasped and pulled away, his eyes wide with disbelief. "It's realm?"

I nodded

"You're living in there? Ren, what's going on?"

| grinned. "It's a bit complicated, but what do you think? Do you want to come? Meet my husband? See the

palace?"

His jaw dropped. "You have a husband? But you said that you weren't going to get married."

"Let's talk about it when you can have cake?" | smiled. | glanced over at Kai. "What do you say? A trip? Maybe

adopt a little brother on the way!

Kai flushed and looked down at his feet.

"Really?" he asked, his voice filled with hope.

I nodded. "I won't leave you here," | replied, my voice firm. We're family, and we'll stick together."

He smiled, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you," he whispered. "I think I'd like that a lot."

You can't just take my son," Goro hissed. "T-

Before | could think more about it, | tumed. Snarling, hissing at them. I felt the air heat around me. Their eyes

widened, and they jumped back. | saw the light rippling through the air as I brought Hiro closer to me. "Stay

away from us. You've done enough." | glared at them. My husband wanted to kill you for your betrayal. You're

making it more and more of an appealing option by the second."

Adele and Goro paled, their eyes wide with fear. Kai's eyes were wide with awe. | frowned. Then, | realized that

there was a strange sensation washing over me. My skin began to tingle, a warmth spreading through my body. |

glanced at my reflection in the mirror, my eyes widening in shock. My eyes had transformed into a brilliant red-

orange, glowing with an otherworldly intensity. Ripples of flame-like light danced across my skin, illuminating my

features with an unnatural glms, Something like golden scales fluttered and flickered on my neck.

Then, | remembered Maya's words, her warning that the Trial would change me.. | had not understood then, but

the longer | looked at myself like this, the more it sunk in. | was no longer human.

Hira sagged against me, his eyes fluttering. He was barely staying awake.

"Will you stay a little longer?" he asked.

"Of course, at least until you go to sleep, okay?"

He nodded, and | gently placed Hiro back in bed, his

is small body trembling with exhaustion. As he drifted off to sleep. | looked back to where Con and

CH77

Adele were still standing. They were clearly terrified, but I didn't care. They'd put us all through so much for their

selfishness. As Kai and | headed out, 1 called for an imperial guard. She was dressed as a purse, but the bowed

her head politely.

"Please stand guard outside the door," I instructed, my voice firm. To not let anyone is without my permission,

especially not Gorn and Adele. He

needs rest

The guard nodded, salutingbefore taking her position. With a final glance at my brother, | led Kai away from

the room. My mind racing with thoughts of the future.

The change should have shocked me, but | felt no danger. By main concern was Adele and Goro. They liked to

play the victim and garner attention too much. Hiro's sudden disappearance, even if | wanted to keep it quiet for

his sake, it likely wouldn't remain quiet. As soon as we got back to the palace, Kal was already nodding off. | put

him in bed and shuffled back to the room | shared with Tsuneo. The power and odd sensations continued to

course through me. | felt water than usual. By the t| got to the room, | was sweating and desperate to get

out of all the layers. 1 was burning up. | couldnt strip fast enough. | rushed to the bathroom and turned the water

on cold. The water turned to steam around me. | opened the window and sat under the cold water.

This wasn't normal. | felt dizzy, yet no matter how cold | turned, | couldn't get cooler at all. I felt like | was boiling

in my own skin. | panted, my eyes burning. Tsuneo!

| heard the main door open, and hope sparked in me.

"Morgan?" Tsuneo called out. "Are you alright?"

1 panted, slamping against the wall. "Tsuneo,"

The door was open a second later. | couldn't even be surprised or embarrassed. | saw him dri

him drifting through the steam

"Morgan?" He called through the steam. He cin closer quickly, and suddenly, he was leaning over me. He

liftedup, and | sighed, feeling the heat starting to flow out of me. | curled closer to him. He gathered me

closer. "Are you alright? You.." He growled, lowering his head and burying his nose in my neck. "You smell so

good, darling."

"Im so hot," | said. "You're really cool...

He reached out and turned off the water. He scoopedup and carriedtoward the tub.

"How long have you been running so hot?"

"Since | got back," | gasped. Tsuneo tumed on the water to fill the tub. He loweredinto the tub gently.

The cold water felt colder, but it wasn't getting warmer. Only Tsuneo's hand on my head was seemingly cooling