<b>CH62 </b>


    Tsuneo


    Unlike Arl, there were nows in this child’s eyes. <b>The </b>fact that he didn’t try to cower behind Ari when Morgan approached, set off rms in the back of my mind. There was a lie here, but I didn’t know exactly what it was. Looking at his <b>face</b>, it was obvious that he was rted to Ari. I had no doubt that this <b>was </b>her child<b>, </b><b>but</b>… there was no child–like <b>love </b>for her in his expression or actions.


    She seemed to be little more than a stranger to her.


    I felt terrible. My suspicions werepletely unfounded. Even if the child was a part of Ari’s schemes, the child didn’t necessarily have any. Morgan <b>walked </b>across the floor, a quiet strength emanating from her. She crouched down to meet the child at eye level. Ari hadn’t even turned to look at her.


    <b>“</b><b>What’s </b>your name?” Morgan asked.


    Ari looked down at her, sneering at her. She tugged the child away from Margan roughly.


    “Get away from him, human, Ari hissed.


    The child’s eyes widened


    ed with w wunder<b>, </b>rather than pulling back, he leaned toward <b>Morgan</b><b>. </b>“You’re a <b>human</b><b>?</b>”


    Morgan smiled. <b>“</b>I am. I’m Morgan.”


    “Im <b>Kai</b><b>,</b><b>” </b><b>he </b><b>said</b>. ” Ive never met a human before.”


    “Well, I’ve never met a tiny dragon before, it seems like we’ve both entered into a new experience.” He giggled a little. “Are you hungry? Would you like toe with me to get something to eat?” She nced over to the king. It looks like the adults have some things to discuss. You don’t want to stick around for boring adult stuff, do you?”


    He shook his <b>head</b>. “I’m hungry.”


    “I thought so,” Morgan extended her hand. “Let’s f find something tasty, hm?”


    Ari snarled, but the child let go of her and took Morgan’s. In a matter of seconds, Morgan led


    Morgan led the child any f


    Her voice was gentle and soothing as she led him through the crowd,


    “You’re in luck. All the <b>good </b>stuff probably isn’t gone yet.”


    “<b>I’ve </b>always wanted to try roasted duck!”


    “Well, let’s see if <b>we </b>can find some..


    She stopped beside me with a smile. “Be calm, yeah. When you’re done<b>, </b>want to join us?


    child away from Ari and through the rest of the crowd.


    I nced down at the child and then back to her face. I had no idea what her n was, but I nodded.


    I watched as she led the child away, his small hand nestled in hers. The moment Morgan disappeared into the crowd, I looked back at my father, who seemed impressed with <b>Morgan’s </b>actions, before taking a deep breath. I turned back to the Elders, their faces a mask of disapproval and <b>suspicion</b>. Some of them whispered between themselves. I caught my father’s eye <b>and </b>so no suspicion in them, but anger. He knew the child <b>wasn’t </b>mine, but he also seemed angry for another reason. Likely because of Anis gall


    “It would be such a <b>disgrace</b>,” <b>one </b>of them dered, his voice booming through the hall. To have the woman who has born a son, a dragon at that, be just a concubine


    After the loss of Prince Keiji, it would be a great thing to have another, true, dragon heir,” another said. “One bom of our kind rather <b>than </b>one with


    Iwman blood.”


    “Phoenix,” my father corrected before I could push down my anger enough to speak.


    1 took a deep breath remembering Morgan’s words. Being angry would help me get through <b>this </b><b>as </b>quickly as possible.


    Then I forced myself to speak. “This is not the time for such talk, I began, my voice steady. “It is at least callous to bring up Keiji in rtion to this child and at the celebration of my wile.”


    CH62


    Ari bristled. The Elders had the nerve to lookpletely unbothered.


    “Never mind that <b>the </b>child shouldn’t be around to hear this conversation, and it is a matter for court in any case.”


    Ari, sensing an opportunity to regain control, stepped <b>forward</b>. “He is five years old,” she announced, her voice dripping with false pride. “Old enough to understand the importance of his heritage.”


    A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd. Five years old? The child looked younger, more vulnerable. But Ari seemed determined to push her advantage.


    “I’ve been silent about it long enough,” Ari said. “I’m not going to remain silent a moment longer. I will have what is owed to me.”


    “Your son,” my father corrected, stepping forward. As it is his lineage that is under question.”


    But–


    “And I agree with Tsuneo, and Lady Morgan’s wisdom. A child should remain as innocent as possible of the affairs of adults. The fact that you brought him here like this gives me <b>pause </b>and angers me at how you have squandered my benevolence and your education.” He nced at Ari. “It would have been the work of nothing, years ago, for you to bring this child forth, yet he <b>has </b>been raised who knows where for the past five years.”


    She stammered N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    … I had my reasons.”


    <b>“</b><b>And </b>I am sure you will make them apparent soon enough. For now, you will do well sit, eat, and be quiet for the rest of the evening. We <b>will </b>pick this conversation up tomorrow after the celebration.”


    She Elushed. “Tomorrow? He’s heir to the throne! Are you going to just sweep this under the rug for a human?”


    I red


    at her. “You have brought a child who bears resemnce to you here, but you have no proof that he is mine.”


    She scowled at me. “You’re going g to deny your own child?” she shrieked, her voice echoing through the hall. “How could you be so heartless?”


    “I see no reason to ept your words without proof, you have already been caught in far too many lies.”


    She sputtered. “<b>You </b>know


    “A lineage test,” I suggested, my voice cutting through the chaos. “It will settle this matter once and for all.”


    Father shook his head. “There is no need for that just yet…


    He turned to me. “Have you ever… been intimate with Ari?”


    “No.” I wrinkled my nose<b>, </b><b>a </b>bitter taste in my mouth. My stomach churned. “Never. I have never seen Ari as anything more than a rtive.”


    Her jaw dropped. “You’re just saying that because of that human,


    *Do you I


    have a theory on this child? Father asked.


    I set my jaw, looking at Ari I didn’t want to say it, but I had to make <b>a </b>decision to either cover up the real reason or bear whatever shame maye from the alternative.


    I can not, I admitted, my voice thick with frustration. Five years would put his conception around the time I went into thea. It was the time I was actually unconscious and had no sense of time, ce, or being. “Anything could have happened during that time… As I understand it Ari had full


    ess to my 100ML


    The room fell into a stunned silence. The implications of my <b>words </b>were clear: if Kai was mine, which he wasn’t, <b>Ari </b>would have to be confessing to viting while I was unconscious. Which was… almost exactly what she was doing. The thought of it filled me with a rage that threatened to consume


    “Is that what you te saying, An? Lasked, looking at her. That you conceived him with an unconscious man?”