Chained to old wounds

Tunço

I ate quiet, chiming in to the conversation occasionally, but my mind was uneasy. I needed to speak to Morgan, to assure her that she could believe me. Of all the women 1 had been with. An had never been on the list. But as I turned to face her, I found myself at a loss for words. How do you explain to someone that you’ve never bad a romantic or physical relationship with a woman claiming to have born your child? The thought of trying to articulate my feelings to Morgan, of confessing my complete lack of interest in Ari, filled me with a sense of dread. It wasn’t the truth, but the implications that were:

Ar desires were off–putting, her ambitions even more so.

Kai started to dig into the pudding Morgan ordered for him.

Morgan, sering my discomfort, offered me a reassuring smile. “Its going to be alright, Tsuneo,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “All of this will pass You’ll ser

Her faith in me and her unwavering support filled me with a sense of warmth and gratitude.

Thank

↑ I murmured, my voice barely audible. I looked at the kid. “Eat up. There’s a festival after dinner.”

Alestial? The two of them asked

It’s supposed to be a celebration.

Morgan smiled. “The never been to a festival… Will there be face painting?”

“And snacka?” kai asked.

“Yes”

They looked at each other, and grinned.

At the last remnants of the feast were cleared away, a surge of excitement swept through The crowd. The air crockled with anticipation as the palace grounds transformed into a vibrant spectacle of light, music, and revelry: H-led them out in the courtyard, noting that the blood had been cleaned up from when i’d returned with Morgan Together, we made our way through the crowd, the weight of the evening seemed momentarily forgotten as we

The portan

now a bustling marketplace, filled with st

stalls offering everything from exotic

ir delicacies to handcrafted trinkets. Morgan, her face- alight with childlike wonder, tugend at my arm, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“It’s time to exploer, the declined, her voice filled with a contagious enthusiasm.

She bank. Kal i hand and they headed off. I trailed behind them. I smiled, my heart warming at their infectious py. Together, we ventured into the heart of the festival, the capsd pushing and pulling at us like saves against the shore. The cacophony of sounds, the dazzling array of colors, and the intoxicating scent of food and drink created a sensory overload that was both exhilarating and overwhelming. It had been a long time since I had been In a fettinal, a long time since we’d hail a reason to live one.

My mother had led them bringing the practice back to life during her reign. We wandered through the bustling marketplace, their hands clasped

ther as we nengated the throng of people. Mangan stopped at a stall selling handmade jewelry, her eyes drawn to a delicate necklace adorned with

nes. I watched as the examined the piece. I pulled a satchel of comms out of my pocket and paid of it, draping it around her neck. She flushed

“I’a lovely on you.” I said. “And it is such a small thing

She smiled and lifted up to kiss m

It was the held few coins I had ever spent.

CHL

The festival was a dazzling spectacle of color and sound. Stalls lined the palace grounds, offering everything from exotic delicacies to handcrafted trinkets. The air was filled with the lively chatter of the crowd, the sweet scent of roasted meats, and the intoxicating rhythm of the music.

Morgan, her eyes sparkling with excitement, pulled me through the throng of people with her and Kal. Their laughter a contagious melody that lifted my spirits. We stopped at a stall selling brightly colored sweets, a dizzying array of colors and flavors that tempted the senses.

“Pick your favorite,” she said, nudging Kai. “Go on…”

He chose a handful of sweets. I chose a few for the both of us and paid. My taste buds tingled with the tartness of a piece. She hummed with delight as Kai ate his lollipop.

Morgan was attentive and warm. I found myself drawn to her, not just as a lover or a partner, but as a friend, a confidant. In her presence, I felt a sense of calm, a grounding force that anchored me. I tried to focus on the festivities, but my mind kept turning it over. The secrets I’d carried with me my entire life, ones that I had shared and ones I had not, hung over my mind like a shadow. Only my father, my mother, and Dr. Shang knew part of it, but the other part….

“What’s on your mind?” Morgan asked.

I blinked, looking down at her. Kai was a few feet away, getting his face painted.

“Later,” I whispered and kissed her temple.

She nodded, a silent understanding passing between us. For now, we would enjoy this moment of peace. I grabbed her hand, linking our fingers together.

When he was done, we headed further into the crow. We stumbled upon a stage where a group of musicians were performing a lively folk song, I lifted him onto my shoulders so he could look around and over the throng of people.

The music was infectious, and before long, we found ourselves swaying to the rhythm, our bodies moving in unison with the crowd. As we danced, I stole a glance at Morgan. Her laughter, a clear and infectious sound, filled the air. I remembered being a child on my father’s shoulders, out among the people.

I remember Reiji being there as well, turning his nose up at the festivities.

The song came to an end almost too quickly before we headed back through the crowd.

As we wandered through the bustling marketplace, a particularly lively stall caught our attention. A large wooden tub filled with water and floating apples drew a crowd of onlookers, their laughter and cheers adding to the festive atmosphere.

Look at that,” Morgan exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Let’s try it!”

Before I could respond, Kai looked down at me, his face alight with curiosity. “Please?” he pleaded, his eyes wide with anticipation. “I’ve always wanted

I smiled at that and lifted him off my shoulders,

I couldn’t resist the enthusiasm in his voice. “Alright, let’s give it a try,” I said, a smile spreading across my face.

As we approached the stall, the game’s organizer, a jovial–looking man with a booming voice, welcomed us with a hearty laugh. “Welcome to the apple bobbing contest,” he announced, his voice echoing through the crowd. “First prize for the most apples caught goes to the handsome prince or the beautiful princess!”

A chorus of cheers erupted from the onlookers, and I couldn’t help winning a prize for Morgan made me eager

it but

feel a surge of adrenaline. Competition was in my blood, and the prospect of

Twin you a prize, Kai promised bravely. “A good unel

Morgens eyes twinkled, grinning. I believe you.

I caught her gaze, and her eyes widened. She giggled, waving at me,

The Dragon King’s Substitute Bride

CH 65

Tsuneo

Let him win?

Another dragon? I looked across the tub as he bounced in place and almost scoffed at myself. I caught her gaze and nodded. He might be a dragon, but he was but a child.

I wondered if Morgan’s father had ever let her win, or if this was just custom among humans to let children win occasionally.

I knelt down, facing the tub, my knees sinking into the soft earth. The water had been colder than I had anticipated, cooling the earth further. My robe was probably ruined. Kai kneeled beside the smaller tub of water, his small body trembling with excitement.

Morgan, her face a mask of amusement, cheered us on.

I took a deep breath and plunged my head into the water, my teeth closing around the first apple I could find, but I waited, listening for the cheering for Kai. 1 could hear him bobbing around for an apply, struggling, after a few more moments, he sat up and a louder cheer errupted. I sat hack, grinning at him as he took the apple out of his mouth and lifted it up for the game officiant to see,

“I did it!”

“So you did,” I said, glancing at Morgan. She grinned at me, lifting her thumb at me, but I had no idea what that meant. The look on her face said it was a good thing.

As we stepped away from the tub, the game organizer presented Kai with a beautifully crafted wooden box, filled with an assortment of handmade trinkets. He promptly turned around and offered it to Morgan. She kneeled.

“It’s beautiful, Kal, but don’t you want to give it to your

Kai dropped his gaze and shook his head. It was as much confirmation as I needed.

“You don’t have a girl you like?”

He wrinkled his nose.“… Lady Morgan is the first girl to be kind to me.”

Her eyes softened and she held out her hands. “Then, I’m honored to be the first one you give a gift to. Thank you. It’s perfect.”

I couldn’t help but smile watching them. He threw his little arms around her, squeezing her tightly.

When she looked up at me, I froze. Her eyes were glossed over and there was this fiercely protective and furious expression on her face.

“Are there fireworks?” she asked.

I nodded. “They should start soon.”

She blinked quickly, subtly wiping the tears away before pulled hack. Her expression turned bright and warm.

We should find a good spot to watch them!” She said. “And grab snacks.

Yeah!”

I led them in the better snack parlors before lifting them both into my arms and flying them to the top of one of the building’s roofs,

As the darkness Took

Kais

ok over, the Eyeworks began. The sky erupted in a dazzling kaleidoscope of colors above the forest.

is eyes wide with wonder, bounced in his seat. It’s so pretty…”

puffed Morgm close to me, resting my head on hers as we watched.

Do they leave feworks in the human realm?” I asked.

“They do, but only in big cities,” she said. “They re expensive.”