The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 97

CH97 Tarofu

Tsuneo was boiling with anger, but | let him seethe, holding Anya in my arms. My own anger banked for now. This

was not a pain | could fix. That was not my gift, but my Pyra, my wife and Morgan, she could fix this, alleviate the

agony | could feel radiation from Anya. She sniffled, burying her face in my chest as she trembled.

"I know it hurts. | know how hard you've worked to afford even a bit of comfort from what she's

done."

She sobbed, and | could see her pushing through her agony, pushing through the blinding pain that would have

dragged a weaker person into madness, all of it in silence and alone.

"I cannot apologize enough for what has been allowed to happen to you. | cannot... undo what has been done,

but | can do everything | can to make it right, you understand?"

She nodded, sniffling, gripping ontoas if she didn't want to let go. She likely didn't. My Pyra was the only one

who completely returned from the otherside, nestling at the heart of her future lives, but our daughter, our

Iridescent Moon, Mitsuki, our first daughter had sof her mother's propensities. She seemed to melt in my

arms the way she had when she was just a hatchling. | stroked her hair.

"Thank you for speaking up, Anya," he whispered and pressed a kiss to her temple. 'It'll all be over, soon, okay?"

She nodded. | draped the scarf back over her head and over her face gently then scanned the

room.

"Doctor Shang, take her into your care."

He seemed stunned but he nodded and | handed her off to him. When | turned back to Ari, she was glaring after

Anya. It took everything inno to kill her then, but I held back. Killing her would be too easy, and it would do

nothing to figure out whose child Kai was. | gestured. She was pulled up by the magic that bound her on the

ground onto her knees, her head pulled back to look up at me, | could see the pain she'd caused across the

palace. Then, | saw Morgan and a flash of a blade, her fierce dark eyes glaring at Ari as if she would cut her head

off at the least provocation.

Quite a bride you have, Tsuneo.

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He laughed from the back of my mind.

"You have betrayed the royal family," | said. "You have betrayed the confidence placed in you as a ward, the

leniency, and mercy that has been granted to you. You have betrayed this kingdom. What do you have to say for

yourself?"

She choked, snarling. "They're all lying. | can't believe you would believe a bunch of worthless peasants over

me!"

"Do tell," Hayato cut in. "Exactly how you cinto the possession of a lapis lazuli spun robe."

"It was gift."

"From who?"

"I don't have to answer that-"

"Ari!" He thundered, slamming his hand on the throne's arm rest, he glared at her. Golden scales rippling up and

down his neck. Everyone gasped, and | almost smiled. "Just tell the truth, you ungrateful child! Every one in

attendance knows, without a doubt, the last ta lapis lazuli spun

robe was made and who it was gifted to."

His eyes watered and he scowled. "I took you into my family in honor of your mother. You were

just a child and while the laws at the tsaid that you were to be killed, | spared you, and you do this?"

She flinched. "Your Majesty, that's not-

"Quiet," he said, glaring at her. And | have heard enough of your crimes... your beliefs... you lack

of contrition."

He shook his head. 'l... | cannot bring myself to kill you, Ari. It is not in my nature. However, you will not enjoy

the life you have been afforded. You will live as a traitor for the rest of your days." "But-

"Perhaps garner a bit of leniency with the truth of Kai's parentage."

She scowled. "He is Prince Tsuneo's son."

"Do you wishto survey the entire kingdom for every man you've slept with in the past five years, Ari?" He

asked. "Perhaps the humiliation will be enough to make you tell the truth!" | smirked as she flushed.

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CH97

He took a deep breath, rubbing his forehead. "I cannot think of a punishment fitting this. Severe enough... | know

enough to know that there are not many options for Kai's parentage. Was it Keiji?" "It's Tsuneo," she cried. "You

can't"

"Korin? Elia?" The gasp that went through the room rattled me.

Who is Elia? | asked, prodding Tsuneo.

My father's brother, he was exiled from the palace for attempting to take the throne from him.

I snorted. That made sense. | could see his face and smiled.

"| suppose we'll have the tto look into it... Though, we could simply ask Kai, hm?"

Ari scowled. "He's too young to know anything!"

"I beg to differ, he knows enough to know that his father calls you his phoenix." I smiled.

Hayato looked sick. He closed his eyes and murmured to himself.

"Guards, take her to the dungeons."

""No," | said, stepping in.

Hayato looked atwarily.

"The dungeons are too kind," | said, looking down at her. "Well, the dungeons the guards have access to are, and

they are far too easily escaped." "Tsuneo... you cannot propose to kill her."

"Death is too kind," I replied, my voice firm. "She deserves to suffer, to know the pain she has

caused and suffer the same."

Hayato looked atwarily, "What do you suggest?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"Exile," | said and smiled. "Permanent exile so that she will never be able to return." "What of Kai?"

"Do you think Kai deserves a mother who would lie, steal, maim, and use him for her own

ambitions?" | scoffed. "His father does not even deserve such a bride."

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1 smirked. "Though, perhaps that too is an option.

"What is your thought?"

"Kai's father must be nearby. Should he be captured, we will send them into exile together, but Ari will go first."

"Do | have your leave, Father?"

He held my gaze. There was hesitance, but then, he nodded.

We're going to transport her? Tsuneo asked.

Who said anything about transporting her? We cannot catch her lover without proper bait.

| felt his confusion, but | said nothing. He would see soon enough. | turned to face her, my power surging through

me. | raised my hand, my fingers collecting darkness in the air. The shadows deepened and turned heavy as they

swirled around the room. A wave of darkness swept through the room, the shadows swirling and twisting,

forming a monstrous figure that towered over Ari.

Ari's eyes widened in terror. She looked up. Hayato stood up.

"Tsuneo-"

The Elders gasped fearfully. | ignored them all and set the creature forward. Its jaws snapped open. as it lunged,

its claws outstretched, its teeth bared. She screamed, high and shrill into the air.

"Nol"