Chained to old wounds

The Dragon King’s Substitute Bride

CH21

Morgan

Following Maya’s lead, I exited Tsuneo’s chambers, the crimson silk robe clinging luxuriously to my skin. The diadem, surprisingly heavy on my head, felt less like an ornament and more like a shield. It was a bit like bringing Tsuneo with me, and it was surprising how much comfort that brought me.

As we walked through the opulent corridors, flickering torches cast long, dancing shadows on the walls. The air itself seemed to hum with an unseen tension, a stark contrast to the quiet intimacy. of Tsuneo’s chambers. The palace was calm, reaching out to me and whispering that everything would be okay, but I was still nervous.

Finally, Maya stopped before a set of massive oak doors intricately carved with scenes of dragons and mythical creatures. Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself for what was on the other side. I lifted my chin and pressed my hand to my concealed sword’s hilt for a moment.

Everything will be fine, Ren.

The doors swung open with a flourish, revealing a sight that momentarily stole my breath away. The family dining room was a magnificent space adorned with shimmering tapestries and gleaming golden candelabras that cast a warm glow over the long, ornately carved table. At its head sat Tsuneo’s father. He looked up and smiled warmly at me. Flanking him on either side of the table were a startling number of people. I recognized Keiji and Ari, but that was all. The others varied in games, ranging from teenagers to those seemingly on the cusp of middle age. A good number of the women looked about Tsuneo’s father’s age. Some wore expressions of mild curiosity, while others- particularly a striking woman with fiery red eyes who bore an uncanny resemblance to Keiji – glared at me with undisguised hostility. That had to be his mother, the king’s first consort.

The others who glared at me were probably concubines, too. The skeptical ones were definitely his sisters. He had a lot of siblings. How had his father had any time to have a relationship with his mother when he was making all of these kids?

I walked in, scanning the room, noting the only empty seats were closer to his father. Keiji was on

my list of dates, but he wasn’t the only one. His mother was on the list, and I bet I’d add a

few others. He had brothers who eyed me. Was this whole place a viper’s nest? It was uncannily familiar.

Goro had killed my father and wanted to kill me.

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Tsuneo had likely been nearly assassinated by someone in his family, and that same person would probably want to kill me, too.

Great. Out of one murderous family and into another. Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and met gaze with every person before looking at the king. His eyes twinkled.

“Welcome back, please, take a seat.”

Where?

It was a test. I glanced over the table and rounded the table to where the second set of jade plates were. The one between him and Keiji was likely for Tsuneo, so I took the seat across from that

one, between Keiji’s mother and the empty throne beside the king.

He looked impressed, and a lump formed in my throat, seeing the empty seat beside him. The display of wealth and power couldn’t mask the raw grief that still clung to him like a shroud, but his scales seemed a little darker than when I had first met him. Taking a deep breath, I forced a small smile. I glanced at the doors. Maya gave me an encouraging nod and closed the door behind

her.

So… I was going to be completely alone. Best to get comfortable.

The king’s gaze drifted to the diadem in my hair. His lips twitched into a misty smile.

“It’s as lovely as when he made it,” he rumbled. His voice was warm. “I am glad that Doctor Shang is adhering to his wishes. Perhaps he will wake up sooner rather than later.”

A blush crept up my neck, both at the compliment and the reminder of what the diadem meant to

Tsuneo.

“Since I’ll be here for a while… I’m curious to know the why behind it. Doctor Shang was pretty

dodgy about it.”

He chuckled a rich sound that echoed in the vast room. “Because he understood the bond between a king and his queen from a young age, sooner than his mother wanted..and he took to it, hard. and fast.” He chuckled. “I suspect that he loved you, at least the idea of you, from the moment he

realized you existed.”

His words sent a jolt through me.

“Such is the way of dragons,” he said. “To know there is one meant for you, one who had been chosen, crafted, and gifted to this world for you… it’s a heady thing. Humans once believed in such things. Is that no longer the case?”

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“Soulmates?

I asked. “It’s… a romantic thing people throw around, but I wouldn’t say it’s something I believe in.”

He nodded. “I imagine that it is hard to believe in magic without some proof of it.”

He shook his head, glancing at his wife’s place setting. The sorrow in his eyes was heart-

wrenching.

“You said it’s the way of dragons… what did you mean by that?”

He sat back as the servants came forward to start serving dinner. The rest of the table was silently. listening and watching.

“Dragons are creatures of magic; as such, we are influenced by it. Soulmates, as you call them, is magic. It can strengthen us and change us in ways that are unexpected. There is really no way to explain it to someone who has not experienced it.” He smiled. “Your display of power, the fact that you can come and go through the mirrors as you please, give me hope that you will start to feel it soon… and that will wake him.”

My heart sank as I looked at him. Tsuneo was right to be wary. His father sounded like he was just waiting for him to wake to let go of the tether he was holding on to. My eyes stung at the thought. Sympathy bloomed in my chest. I wouldn’t wish losing a father, a good father, on

anyone.

It seems like the king had really made the decision to start the Trials out of necessity.

As dinner continued, I tried to catch snippets of their conversations, but nothing really stuck out as useful or interesting. Keiji’s mother made it a point to shift away from me and wore a look of continuous disdain throughout the dinner. I ate slowly, marveling at the craftsmanship of the

plates.

“Tell me about yourself,” he said. “I am told that your father was the former head of your family…. And I thank you for making Imperial Captain Ael and his men a priority in your efforts.”

“He was,” I said. “He died, and I volunteered to go through with the Trial in my cousin’s place.”

“Circumventing imperial will,” Keiji’s mother commented..

“Not quite,” I said. “I stepped down as head of the family to leave it to my uncle.”

He leaned forward. “Interesting decision. I assume there was a reason for it.”

J smiled thinly. “Many, and nothing that should be discussed over dinner… At least not before.

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dessert.”

He chuckled. “The palace’s pastries, I hope, will be up to standard.”

“The food was delicious, so I bet it will be.” I took a deep breath. “Is this the point where we can stop pretending?”