Chained to old wounds

CH49

Morgan

I was a bit nervous about dinner. It was odd that he was calling us to dinner like this. Tsuneo, thankfully, seemed oblivious to my sudden unease.

“Thank you, Captain, he replied, his voice smooth. We will be there shortly.”

He gave a curt nod and disappeared down the hallway. Left alone, I looked up at Tsuneo, apprehension clouding my joy.

“Everything alright, Morgan?” he asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

“It’s just…” I hesitated, struggling to find the words. “Is everything alright, you think?”

Tsuneo’s lips curved into a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry,” he said, his voice calm. “It’s just dinner.”

Taking a deep breath, I forced a smile. He knew more about court politics than I did.

With a nervous flutter in my stomach, I allowed Tsuneo to lead me down the hallway. Relief washed over me as we entered the familiar haven of his chambers. The whirlwind of the day, the joy of returning with Tsuneo, and the looming uncertainty of the king’s dinner had left me emotionally drained.

“I think I’ll freshen up before dinner, I announced, sinking down onto the plush chaise lounge.

Tsuneo nodded, his gaze lingering on me for a beat longer than necessary. “Of course,” he said, his voice a husky murmur. “Would you like some assistance?”

The possessiveness in his tone sent a shiver down my spine. “I can manage,” I replied. “Though… maybe if you could… pick something appropriate for dinner?”

He grinned and didn’t push. He disappeared into his closet, emerging a moment later with a garment draped over his arm. It wasn’t a robe that looked mostly black except for the aurora like patterns sewn into it. It reminded me of his eyes.

“How about this?” he said, holding it out to me. “It’s… comfortable.”

“You… really like to see me in your clothes, don’t you?”

He made a low, hungry sound in his chest. “I adore it.”

CH49

Was it possession? Intimacy? Maybe it was both. The idea was both thrilling and a little unsettling.

With a shy smile, I took the robe from him. “Thank you, Tsuneo,” I murmured. ‘It’s lovely.”

I slipped into the bathroom to freshen up and change. The silk was cool and luxurious against my

skin. The robe, designed for his broader frame, pooled around my feet, the sleeves hanging loose over my hands. I tied the belt tightly around my waist and came out, feeling a little silly.

“You look… radiant,” he said, his voice a low rumble.

A blush crept up my cheeks. “Thank you,” I mumbled again, unsure of what else to say.

With a final lingering look, he gestured towards the door. “Shall we?”

Taking a deep breath, I nodded. Together, we left our chambers and headed towards the dining

hall.

The moment we entered, the room fell silent. All eyes turned to us, their expressions a mix of curiosity, disapproval, and… anger.

There, seated at the long table beside the King, was Ari. Her face was flushed, her eyes narrowed with a fury that sent a jolt of unease through me. The king’s consorts, a gaggle of women adorned in shimmering silks and jewels, also glared in my direction, their disdain barely veiled.

It seemed like they were upset from earlier still, or maybe they were mad that my words about bothering the staff went for them as well. I looked across the table. The food hadn’t been served yet, but I couldn’t imagine it would be that bad. Ignoring their hostility, Tsuneo escorted me to the head of the table. With a gentle hand on my back, he ushered me towards my seat.

As I sat down, the tension in the room crackled like static electricity. But Tsuneo, oblivious to the undercurrent of animosity, took his rightful place beside me. He looked… happy. Relief flooded his features, a stark contrast to the worry and fatigue that had etched lines on his face just a day ago.

The king, however, seemed to share Tsuneo’s joy. His eyes, though weary, held a spark of warmth as they met mine. A ghost of a smile played on his lips.

Tsuneo, it warms my heart to have you back.” He bobbed his head and pointedly did not look at the empty seat Keiji had once occupied.

It felt a bit eerie and oddly respectful that the chair was still there but no one spoke about why it was empty. As if he was acknowledging his sons death and his wrongs all at once.

CH49

Tsuneo bowed his head. “It is wonderful to be back among the walking again, father.”

No one said much else. The staff came out with large platters. I recognized a few of them and they smiled at me, placing the dishes on the table. Everything looked delicious and I told them so. Then, dinner started. The oppressive silence was broken only by the clinking of silverware and the murmured conversation of the people further down the table servants. We were nearing the end of the meal, the tension slowly giving way to a semblance of normalcy.

Suddenly, the heavy oak doors of the dining hall burst open with a loud bang. A woman, her face. contorted with rage and grief, stormed into the room. Her eyes were fiery and red–rimmed. Her eyes, narrowed with hatred, landed on me.

“Is it you? Are you the human wretch pretending to be queen!” she shrieked, her voice laced with venom. “Are you the one that killed my brother?”

A wave of nausea washed over me. Keiji had a sister? And judging by the hostility in her eyes, she wasn’t open to condolences, even if he had been a total creep and got what was coming to him. Before I could even speak, Tsuneo rose to his feet, a fierce protectiveness hardening his features.

“Princess Amara,” he addressed the woman, his voice cold and hard. “You will not speak to my wife like that, or you’ll have to deal with me.”

“You think I care? You’re barely alive?” she spat, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “She murdered my brother! Do you think I wouldn’t find out? That she could just get away with it? We should have just killed them all years ago!”

“Watch your-

“Did she not murder my brother in cold blood?”

Tsuneo’s gaze met hers, unwavering.

“No,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “I killed Keiji after he kidnapped and assaulted Morgan.”

A gasp reverberated through the room. My father’s face went pale with shock. He slumped back in his chair. The consorts exchanged wide–eyed glances, their earlier animosity replaced by a morbid curiosity.

Ari, however, seemed unfazed by the revelation. A cruel smile twisted her lips.

“Shame that he couldn’t finish the job,‘ she remarked flippantly. “It would have been better that way for everyone involved.”

CH49

Tsuneo turned with a snarl. Fire came out of his nose. The smoke filled the air. His voice roared through the air. Everyone lurched back and away from him. Ari was still in place. The fire rushed over the table, scorching the table.

Someone screamed, but I noted that the flames danced over my hands but didn’t even sing the sleeves of the robe I was wearing. Instead, it felt like liquid fire poured into my hands.

What on earth did that mean?