The Dragon King’s Substitute Bride
Chapter 98

MINTH

She does not eat.

Does not sleep.

Does not leave her room.

Instead she sits in bed, her drapes drawn, her chambers shrouded in an almost oppressive sort of darkness.

Shivering and afraid, wrapped up in her covers, the King's mistress had begun chewing at her gorgeous red nails from that night and she has now bitten them so far down the quick, that they have almost began to bleed. But she still does not stop.

Biting and chewing and spitting out little pieces of nail and skin.

A nervous habit that she thought she had left in her past.

A disgusting habit of weakness and defeat.

One she had told herself to let go off because it was not fitting for a queen and that is who she was going to be.

Wife to the dragon king and queen of the 5th realm.

The most powerful woman in all the land.

And yet that...that b***h has brought it back.

Taken her place and forced her back to her old ways.

Reduced her to a coward who sits in her room, afraid of going out for fear of what would become of her.

She tells herself to stop but she can't.

Not after failing so spectacularly. Spectacularly and foolishly.

She had been in too much of a hurry.

But by the gods it had felt good...no beyond good.

It been exhilarating.

Pushing the "queen" out that door, hearing her breathless gasps of fear and seeing her hand flail and grasp helplessly at the air had feeled Minth with such a rush that she had felt drunk, dizzy even. Everything in her had wanted to peak over the ledge and feast on the rewards of her efforts but she had thought she heard footsteps and afraid of blowing her cover and had instead run back to her room. She had no doubts that her plan had succeeded and she had gone to sleep content.

The managled body of the one who had dared to cross her, flesh and blood splattered against rock and stone filling her dreams and making her smile in her sleep.

It would be the last time Minth would smile in the coming days.

For she had awoken, not to the cries of alarm or panic she had expected.

But to the sight of the King and queen in the courtyard below, about to ride out to gods know where.

She had staggered back from the window, a sharp stinging pain in the region of her chest.

She screamed as she smashed everything in her room.

Pulling at her hair, clawing at her own skin.

Everything had gone wrong.

No doubt that b***h would have told Midas everything that happened.

Minth knows she did not see her face, she had pushed her from behind and had drawn back into the shadows before the human could see her.

But she has no doubt that the human bastard would call her name.

Accuse her without proof.

For that is what she herself would have done if she had an opportunity to get rid of her greatest opponent.

And no doubt, once they returned, the king would send the guards after her and they would kick down her door and drag her kicking and screaming to be charged to death. For attempting to kill the queen was too grave a crime for the dungeons or the cellars.

But it is not just the fear of dying that consumes Minth.

No, it is the thought of losing.

Of being defeated by some weak, pitiful human b***h who had taken her crown and was no about to take her life.

Her maid had only come to her door once.

Knocking tentatively and upon receiving no response had continued to knock and knock, even going as far as to ask in a whisper through the door if Minth was okay. But Minth had yelled at her, screaming at the top of her lungs for the maid to go to hades and leave her alone

Minth has no doubt in her mind that the inspid little rat only meant to glory in her defeat.

Perhaps the human had sent her to spy on Minth.

To make sure that she was utterly defeated and in shambles.

Cowering and shivering in her own sweat and fear.

"So show them that they are wrong."

Minth freezes.

That voice...the one in her head just now...

It had not been hers.

She clutches at her head, shaking it furiously. No...!!!

No she cannot afford to lose her mind.

"You are not losing your mind my dear."

"Who are you?!!"

"Who I am is not important. What is important is that I am as real as you are and I can help you."

Minth throws off the covers, searching under her bead and in the corbers of her room.

No doubt this is all an act.

Some scheme by that wretched human to drive her insane.

She tosses her clothes everywhere.

"Where are you, I demand that you show yourself to me right this instant!!"

"I am afraid I cannot do that. You see they have me locked up, somewhere in this castle. Chained and restrained like a common animal." "Who?"

"Your king...and your queen..."

Minth nearly spits. "She is no queen of mine!"

"Then we are kindred spirits. Find me dear Minth and I shall grant you all that you desire."

"How do I know that this is not some sort of trap. A scheme to get me into trouble?"

"You don't. But I am your only hope at getting the crown you so rightly deserve. What more do have to lose?"

Nothing.... Absolutely Nothing.

And it is that realization that has Minth running to the door.

She passes by her mirror and nearly recoils at the sight.

Look what that b***h has done to her.

She will make her pay.

By the gods...

She will make them all pay.

She drags her comb furiously through her matted hair, and attempts to pinch color into her cheeks before going out to replace her maid.

The girl is busy laughing and jesting in the kitchen with the other maids and the sight sends rage boiling through Minth because she knows, just knows that they are laughing at her. They should just wait.

Minth was going to make them eat their tongue.

The maids all freeze the minute they notice her presence, the hypocrites.

"It has been brought to my attention that there is someth... someone locked up in the castle?"

The maids glance at each other.

It is obvious that they have instructions not to speak about it but they are also too terrified of Minth to remain quiet.

It is her maid who speaks up eventually.

"Yes your Ladyship. A prisoner was moved into the east wing of the castle. But the King had given express instructions that no one is to go near her until his return."

"What makes you think I intend to stop as low as cavorting with some ordinary criminal.

"But she is no ordinary criminal your grace. In fact...I hear that she possess demons within her. Dark magic that would not doubt..."

"I believe that is enough Anith!"

The chief steward who has just stepped into the room and who is not afraid of Minth is the one who says this. His voice resounding against the walls of the kitchen.

He turns to Minth, not even bothering to incline his head in repect. "If I may ask, why does her Ladyship concern herself so with the King's prisoner?

"My thoughts are none of your business. But if you must know, I was merely curious and wished to separate truth from fiction."

"Well in that case, you shall have to wait for the return of the King and queen and ask them yourself."

Mibth glares at them man.

Shoving him with her shoulder as she stalks past.

"Minth..."

She stops, turning left and turning right and seeing nothing.

But the voice is there, a cold, dark presence in her head.

"Minth...I can help you replace me Minth. Come to me and all that you desire..."

"Will be mine."

"Exactly."