Wrong Marriage and Sweet Love

Clint gave Watanabe a cold, hard look. Despite his injuries, his severity remained undiminished. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. “Watanabe, you must keep your word. Since you proposed an alliance, how can you achieve your goal and then betray us? Go back and accept your punishment, reflect on your actions.”

“Yes,” Watanabe nodded immediately.

“My injury has nothing to do with her; she saved me,” Clint added. “Do not bring up that thought again.”

Watanabe was somewhat surprised but nodded in response. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Watanabe led Clint onto the helicopter first. Then Luther climbed up with Joyce, holding her as they ascended the rope and were lifted into the helicopter.

The helicopter door closed, and the loud noise of the rotor blades drowned out everything else.

Joyce fastened her seatbelt and felt the Black Hawk helicopter take off smoothly. She looked down from the high altitude; the mountain, which had been unclear before, now became distinct in outline. The perilous night had finally come to an end.

Clint and Watanabe sat in the front row. Joyce sat in the back row next to Luther. No one spoke to each other. Fortunately, the noise in the helicopter was loud, and everyone wore headphones.

This awkward meeting was unexpected for both sides. No one had anticipated that they would have a day of cooperation.

After boarding the helicopter, Luther glanced at Clint. Clint was injured and looked almost pale. He knew Clint had always been physically weaker and feared he might not hold out much longer.

Clint’s face remained cold and silent as he forced himself to stay conscious. He did not want to faint in front of Joyce or show his weakness to Luther. To stay awake, he repeatedly pinched his arm wound, letting fresh blood flow out and the pain keep him alert.

Upon safely returning to Eastern Capital, Watanabe immediately dispatched medical personnel to take Clint to the hospital for treatment of his gunshot wound. The moment they arrived at the hospital, Clint could no longer hold on and collapsed heavily onto the bed.

While doctors performed emergency surgery on Clint-stitching his wounds, removing embedded shrapnel, and stopping inflammation and bleeding-Reuben, Hajime, Joyce, and Luther sat in a reception room within the palace.

Joyce had already showered and changed into comfortable clothes. Leaning against Luther’s chest, she felt tired but secure because she was by his side.

Luther gently held Joyce’s waist. He had also taken a brief nap on their way back. There was still a tough battle ahead, and he needed to conserve his strength. He had a plan forming in his mind; now it was just a matter of execution.

The current situation was delicate. After last night’s battle, Hirota failed to achieve his goal and suffered significant losses. However, Hirota had already left Eastern Capital overnight with his remaining guards and regrouped outside.

At some point, the conflict had shifted focus. The struggle for the throne was now secondary; first they had to deal with Hirota’s attempt at usurpation. Clearly, Hirota hadn’t given up; he was now outside Eastern Capital likely mobilizing old allies and gathering support from other families within the Yoshikawa family.

Joyce stirred slightly.

Luther quickly lowered his head. “What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?”

Joyce smiled faintly. “Don’t get so nervous; I’m fine. Just a bit hungry.”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

“I’ve prepared some snacks and hot tea for you.” Luther gently lifted her into his arms while reaching for a piece of dessert to feed her.

After Joyce took a few bites and sipped some water that Luther offered her, he gently wiped her lips with a napkin.

“I do have hands, you know,” she teased while snuggling closer for warmth. “You’re so warm.”

Luther held her tightly. “Reuben and Hajime will be here soon; do you want to rest a bit more?”

He had heard a brief account of last night’s events from her; though she described it lightly, he knew how dangerous it had been. He was secretly amazed that Clint managed to catch a venomous snake bare-handed and got shot in the arm as a result-the bullet went through his arm. No wonder Clint looked weak when he saw him.

He felt a lingering fear; he had enough of these perilous days time after time.

Even if they possessed wealth and supreme power, without national stability or family peace, what happiness could there be?

This time he intended to resolve this issue once and for all.

Joyce shook her head. “I’m not sleepy anymore; what about you? Aren’t you tired? You coordinated everything all night long; I’m worried you won’t hold up.”

Luther gently kissed her cheek. “I’m not tired.”

Joyce hooked her arms around his neck. “So it was you controlling the drone that located the sniper? I knew it! Watanabe acted like he saved us when it was really you! You’re becoming quite the agent yourself! How did you know where the sniper roughly was? And my location?”

Luther pinched Joyce’s nose playfully. “Don’t tease me. First of all, I know your habits well enough to guess where you’d hide. Actually, I judged based on terrain and wind direction; your mom taught me quite a bit besides what she taught you-like how an excellent sniper chooses their location based on terrain advantages.”

“Oh wow,” Joyce said with mock exasperation. “Is she trying to train another successor?”

“Just self-defense lessons,” Luther saw through her thoughts and lightly tapped her nose.

Joyce let out an “oh” sound.

She felt much better now. “I thought my mom wanted to teach you so you’d take over Karl’s job.”

Luther gave her a sidelong glance before pinching her cheek affectionately but spoke tenderly instead: “From now on, you’ll have me.”

Joyce felt touched deeply by his words; she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.

At that moment Reuben and Hajime walked in one after another.

Joyce reluctantly pulled away from Luther’s embrace and sat up straight.

Hajime looked displeased as he sat down across from them while Reuben appeared much calmer.

Sensing tension between them Luther asked: “Now that we have both the Imperial Seal and Dawnblade in our possession what’s your next move?”

Hajime sighed deeply: “What good are they if we don’t have proof? The former emperor’s edict has been burned right in front of Crown Prince-no way can we hide it!”

He shot an accusatory glance at Reuben: “Why did you act so impulsively without consulting me first? Burning such an important document! Now he’s officially recognized as Crown Prince-the first heir! Even with both relics our claim lacks legitimacy-what were you thinking?”

Joyce exchanged glances with Luther-had they really burned it?!