Chained to old wounds

CH113

Tsuneo

We s

showered and sunk into the bath soon after, but Morgan started to nod off, so I pulled her out soon after. She murmured something, warm and sleepy as I gave her drying clothes and left her to get dressed alone.

I turned to the closet, retrieving sleepwear for the both of us. I offered her a sleeping robe as she came out still wrapped in her towel.

“It’s meant to be cold tonight, the start of winter. Stay in the steam while I get the fire going.”

She frowned. “It’s midsummer.”

I chuckled. “In the human realm, yes, but here, it is the beginning of winter. The Convening of the Celestial Compass will be the first day of spring.”

She took the robe with a grateful nod, disappearing behind one of the dividers in the bathroom to peel off her towel. 1 busied myself slipping into my own and heading into the main chamber. I lit the fire with a burst of dark flames that caught quickly then burst into a bright orange flame, quickly filling the room with warmth.

As the fire crackled, I got the heated flooring activated and closed the window covers.I heard the soft rustling of fabric as she changed. I couldn’t help but smile slightly, a sense of normalcy settling in amidst the chaos of everything else.

There was still so much to do, but at least these quiet moments were back. When she emerged, she was wrapped in the robe, her hair now looked a bit drier, and she had a rosy glow to her skin.

I crossed the room to her, pulling her into my arms. She melted into me, her head resting against my chest. For a long moment, neither of us said anything.

“We need to talk.”

“There’s a lot we should discuss before breakfast tomorrow.” I chuckled. “It’s guaranteed to be a

show.”

She pulled back, her eyes wide. “Do you even think they’ll show up to breakfast?”

I blinked at that and burst into laughter. How did Morgan know my parents so well?

“Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t. Kai’s missed you.”

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She smiled and nodded. We climbed in together and I pulled her close. The erant of her skim filling my nose set my heart at ease. As we lay together, lost in the quier of the night, I te the irritation and stress start to fade. As I drifted off to sleep, I murmured

“I love you.

67. 67.

The next morning, I woke up to the chill that had led the room outside of the Mankato, Mirgin was curled into my arms her breathing soft and even. I reached out, my hand tracing the delicat lines of her face.

“Good morning.” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

She stirred, her eyes fluttering open. “Morning,” she replied, her voice barely a whisper.

I leaned in, kissing her softly on the lips. Her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her g

“Do you think we have time to lay in bed a little longer?”

I glanced toward the window, gauging the time by the sliver of light coming through the slits in the coverings.

“Plenty.”

We lay together for a long time, simply enjoying each other’s company. And then, I remember everything that had been happening and what I had to explain to Morgan about what she’d missed.

“Morgan, I–”

The queen’s bell began to ring, sending a song through the whole palace the way it had when Morgan had passed the Trial. My heart pounded. I sat up, exhilarated and deeply amused.

Of course, my mother would make her reappearance as loud as possible.

“What is that?”

“My mother,” I smiled. “Summoning the royal family for breakfast.

I got out of bed and tugging Morgan with me to try and shield her from the cold. We dressed quickly. I couldn’t wait to see the look on my brothers and sisters faces when they saw mother, let alone the what the harem members would look like.

As we made our way to the dining hall, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. This morning was going to be a night to remember. When I arrived at the dining hall, the table was set

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for the family. My father was already there, his eyes filled with a joy and peace. He looked at least ten years young, seated in his usual seat. My mother sat beside him, drapped in her favorite ro my father’s gold one trimmed in opal

“Tather,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. “Mother.”

My father looked up with a wry smile. I insisted.”

I chuckled and led Morgan around the table toward them. And what did you have to promise to

make her agreeable?”

“That she could be a petty as she liked.”

Mother jumped to her feet and rounded the table. She threw her arms around me and squeezed tightly. She pulled back with a bright, proud smile,

You’re looking well, little one.” She pinched my cheek. “I hear you’ve gotten married.”

I stepped aside, gesturing to Morgan. “This is my wife, Morgan.”

Morgan

Haruka pulled me into her arms without a moment’s hesitation. We had spoken at length while we were both unconscious. We spoke with Pyra about the kingdom and the next steps for us and so many other things.

“It’s good to meet you in the flesh,” she said and pulled back. “I look forward to causing all sorts of trouble with you.”

I laughed. Then, a loud gasp came from behind us.

The members of the harem who had deigned to come stood in the doorway, stunned, jaws dropped and pale. Then, they turned, nearly tripping over each other in the effort to run back the way they came, likely to tell every one else. I paid them no attention. I pulled the seat out for Morgan and took my seat.

Soon enough the rest of the royal family, from Keiji’s mother all the way to Maya trickled in. Kaito sat down, staring at Morgan and my mother like he’d seen a ghost. Despite the tension lower down the table, we started eating, laughing, talking, Mother pulled Morgan into a conversation. about the human world.

My father watched Haruka, his eyes practically glowing. I looked down the table, noting the tension in the room.

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The concubines were clearly unhappy about mothers return.

One of them, a woman named Mei, scoffed and scowled.

“Why is she back?” she whined, her voice filled with a mixture of petulance and jealousy. As if one human wasn’t bad enough.

What an idiotic question and a stupid thing to say, I caught her eye. She went pale, ducked her head and kept eating in utter silence.

“Mei you seem like you haven’t changed a bit, mother said, sipping from her cup. You would think that after all these years, you would have learned to think before you speak.”

She scowled. “And you still think you’re more important than you are.”

“I’m the queen,” she said, scoffing. “I am the most important woman in the kingdom

She sneered. Father smiled.

This is supposed to be a happy day. Let’s try not to spoil breakfast.”

I frowned.

“Where’s Kai?”