Wrong Marriage and Sweet Love

After Clint and Watanabe left, Joyce looked at Luther. “What did you just say to him? He wants me to go to the East Palace. Can we trust him?”

Luther frowned slightly. Clint had specifically emphasized that Joyce should go to the East Palace alone. At this point, there was no other way. The so-called dark arts were beyond scientific explanation. Clint wouldn’t harm Joyce.

Luther nodded. “You should go. I’ll wait for you outside the palace. Once it’s resolved, we can go home.”

Joyce was still worried. “What if he goes back on his word?”

“He won’t. He needs the Imperial Seal and the Dawnblade to ascend the throne legitimately as the Crown Prince. His claim to power must be legitimate, especially with Hajime’s agreement and the Imperial Household Agency drafting documents he’s promised to sign. He won’t challenge such fundamental credibility.”

Joyce pouted and nodded, still wary after being deceived by Clint before.

Reuben was discussing with Hajime.

“Your Highness, there’s no time to lose. We need to arrange for you and your mother to leave by tomorrow night. Although you didn’t ascend the throne, we are grateful for your support over the years. The Imperial Household Agency’s position has remained stable because of you,” Hajime said.

Reuben was uneasy. “You have all been dedicated; it’s my duty. But leaving in such a hurry? How can I be at ease? Hirota is still at large, stationed outside the city. While we’ve agreed on the succession, eradicating the Yoshikawa family…”

“Eradicating the Yoshikawa family won’t happen overnight. With our combined forces and commands to other families, we should quell the rebellion within three months. You can’t stay here indefinitely; leaving early prevents unforeseen complications. Moreover, your departure will ease any vigilance from the Crown Prince’s side. Your presence here is no longer suitable,” Hajime sighed. “This farewell might mean we never meet again.”

Reuben smiled. “That does save me some worry, making me a hands-off manager with nothing left to concern myself with.”

He suddenly frowned, remembering something. “But my father’s coffin hasn’t been buried yet. It seems I won’t attend his funeral.”

It was somewhat regrettable but considering the circumstances, achieving this outcome was already fortunate.

“In light of current events, the late emperor’s burial is delayed as the royal tomb is outside the city where the Yoshikawa family is entrenched. You and your mother can bid farewell to him tomorrow morning,” Hajime said deeply to Reuben. “Once the Crown Prince signs tomorrow as agreed, we’ll officially announce his succession and hold a coronation ceremony a month after the late emperor’s funeral.”

“Alright,” Reuben nodded.

Grizela had not participated in negotiations and had been waiting outside until now.

“Your Highness, I want to leave with you,” she said solemnly.

Reuben smiled. “Of course, I’ve already planned for you.”

“Joyce,” Reuben called out.

Joyce walked over, and Darrin followed upon seeing Grizela enter.

“Everything is resolved now. Look at you; you almost lost your life in vain,” Darrin couldn’t help but scold Grizela even at this moment.

Grizela bit her lip and remained silent.

Joyce glanced at them, knowing they had feelings for each other but were separated by their countries.

Reuben said to Joyce, “I’ll take Grizela with me. She’s highly skilled; you’ve seen it yourself. Can you find her a position in your military? She’s wasted following me.”

Joyce replied, “I had already thought of that even if you hadn’t mentioned it. Rest assured.”

She planned to bring Grizela back to the Capital and facilitate her marriage with Darrin.

“Your Highness, I…” Grizela began but was interrupted by Reuben.

“No more ‘I’ or ‘my’. I don’t need a bodyguard anymore; I plan to continue being a doctor which you’re not suited for anyway. Don’t cause trouble for me,” Reuben said with a smile before turning serious again. “When we reach Pascaylia, I suggest you change your surname since you originally didn’t have one; I gave you your name casually when I found you under a full moon in a field and saved you.”

He looked at Darrin again. “Please take care of Grizela from now on.”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Darrin moved closer to Grizela. “Of course, I’ll take good care of her.”

“Change my surname?” Grizela asked in surprise.

“If you don’t mind, take my surname-Bryant-I’ll recognize you as my sister so that you’ll marry from our Bryant family with a generous dowry,” Reuben said with a smile while looking at Darrin knowingly.

Tears welled up in Grizela’s eyes as she nodded vigorously. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Grizela Bryant-a beautiful name for her new identity-filled her with excitement.

“Don’t call me ‘Your Highness’ anymore; after tomorrow, I’ll just be your brother,” Reuben teased.

Grizela couldn’t bring herself to say it; she had always respected him too much to call him brother easily.

“Grizela, follow me from now on,” Darrin called her new name first and pulled her away so they wouldn’t interrupt further discussions.

Hajime then addressed Luther.

“Thanks to Mr. Warner’s negotiation with the Crown Prince-though I’m not sure what he said-the Crown Prince agreed which solved a big problem for us.”

Clint not only agreed but also consented to an alliance through marriage which provided ample security for Hajime’s side.

Luther smiled modestly. “Hajime, everything will be fine; I just did my best.”

At this moment Joyce approached them.

Hajime informed her, “I’ve arranged everything despite the Yoshikawa family’s siege; two ports are still under our control. Tomorrow night I’ll arrange a small escort ship to take you into international waters where you’ll be able to contact Pascaylia immediately upon entering their jurisdiction for pickup.”

Joyce glanced at Luther before replying, “Send someone quietly; too much commotion will attract attention.”

Luther nodded in agreement; it was what he had in mind too.

Now everything was arranged except lifting Joyce’s curse.

Joyce checked her watch then said decisively, “I should head to East Palace now.”

Luther felt a pang of worry but responded firmly, “Alright-I’ll take you there.”