The Bride Who Read the Contract novel · Chapter 15 of 24
Chapter 15: The Replacement Bride
The priest with the tray stopped at the bottom of the steps and bowed.
The second priest began the words of the Hinase bridal rite in a high, nervous voice.
Kinue stood behind Kaede with one hand on her daughter's back.
"Lord Tsukimori," she said. "The shrine keeps its word. Here's your bride."
Ibuki didn't move from the top step.
"I have a wife," he said.
"You had one. She broke her vow before the throne."
Kinue's eyes found Fumika. "Get your things, Fumika. Come home now, or the Council can decide what's done with you."
"I'd rather the Council."
"You won't, once you've met them." She smiled. "The old books have punishments for brides who break their vows."
Kaede hadn't looked up once.
She stood in the white wedding kimono with her hands folded in her sleeves and her eyes on the gravel.
Her face under the powder was the colour of the powder.
"Kaede," Fumika said.
She didn't answer.
The priest finished the words.
The rest of this chapter is part of the paid portion of the series. Chapters 1–12 of The Bride Who Read the Contract are free to read — start from the beginning, then unlock the rest with coins in the app.
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