Wrong Marriage and Sweet Love

In the Imperial Household Agency, at the underground contact point, Joyce and Darrin returned just as the eastern sky began to lighten. The night had not yet fully receded when Joyce entered the basement. The streets outside were chaotic, filled with armed guards. Only essential stores remained open during the day, and a curfew was in effect at night. They had taken great pains, sneaking and hiding along the way. Finally reaching this place, they felt safe.

Before Joyce could enter, Luther emerged from inside and pulled her into his arms. He asked no questions. Having to let her go, even for a day, felt like an eternity. Her sudden return could mean she had obtained the seven-day antidote or something else, but it didn’t matter as long as she was in his arms.

“We got the Dawnblade!” Joyce patted Luther’s back lightly. “You’re squeezing me too hard.”

Luther quickly loosened his grip. “Are you hurt anywhere?”

Joyce shook her head. “Don’t worry. Clint wasn’t at the residence; he hasn’t noticed anything yet.”

Luther was more concerned about Joyce’s well-being and whether she had obtained the seven-day antidote. “But…”

With the Dawnblade taken, Clint would eventually find out, and Joyce would suffer again.

“Let’s talk inside.” Joyce pushed Luther in, and Darrin followed.

Darrin took out the Dawnblade in front of them. “We were lucky; someone else tried to steal this sword. We intercepted them.”

“Yes, they also knocked out the guards, allowing us to escape smoothly.” Joyce examined it closely. “This is indeed the sword I saw that day. Let’s call Hajime to confirm. If everything checks out, with both the Dawnblade and the Imperial Seal, Reuben can command other families to surround Clint and the Yoshikawa family from outside the Eastern Capital.”

“Even so, a civil war is inevitable.” Luther wasn’t as optimistic as Joyce. The two sides were evenly matched; once a civil war started, who knew when it would end? And what about the curse on her? That worried him more.

“I’ll notify Hajime now.” Darrin turned and used a special line to contact the Imperial Household Agency.

About an hour later, Hajime arrived hurriedly. His face lit up upon seeing the Dawnblade. “Yes! This is it! This is the Dawnblade!”

He looked at Joyce excitedly. “You did it! You got the Dawnblade in such a short time! I’ll inform His Highness immediately to prepare for ascension and command other families!”

“Yes,” Joyce nodded.

Luther stood thoughtfully beside Joyce. After all they had been through, he felt things wouldn’t go so smoothly. What were they missing? Something felt off.

Before Hajime could recover from his excitement, a man rushed over and whispered something in his ear.

Hajime’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”

The man nodded.Content provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

Hajime’s face fell immediately.

Sensing something was wrong, Luther tightened his grip on Joyce’s hand, silently waiting for news.

Hajime couldn’t explain; he quickly began making calls.

Joyce and Darrin exchanged puzzled glances.

They had the sword; what could be wrong?

A few minutes later, Grizela burst in, looking disheveled and frantic.

Out of breath, Grizela gasped, “It’s bad… His Highness… His Highness is missing…”

Overwhelmed with shock and grief, Grizela nearly collapsed.

Darrin rushed to support her. “Calm down, tell us slowly.”

Grizela shook him off angrily and glared at Joyce with resentment. “It’s all because of you! His Highness went to his death because of you!!”

She lost control. “For years His Highness struggled to save his mother! He finally got the edict and seal, but now it’s all for nothing! Even his life is at risk! Why did you come here?!”

“What do you mean?” Joyce was alarmed with a bad premonition. Had something happened to Reuben?

Luther quickly held Joyce protectively, fearing Grizela might harm her in her agitation.

With a thud, Grizela knelt on the ground. “Your Highness, I failed you… I’m so sorry…”

“What happened?” Joyce grew more anxious.

Luther asked Hajime calmly, “Hajime, can you explain?”

He suspected Hajime’s urgency was related to this issue.

Hajime sighed heavily. “His Highness is missing along with the seal. I suspect he went to trade it for your safety.”

This was what he feared most. Though the Imperial Household Agency supported Reuben, Hajime knew Reuben’s heart wasn’t in it. Reuben opposed the Crown Prince only to save his mother and protect his family. Now that Kempley had returned safely and Reuben had delayed announcing his claim despite having the edict, it was clear he didn’t want the throne but couldn’t abandon their cause either. Now that others were involved, Reuben’s most vulnerable point had been hit; naturally, he would take desperate measures.

Luther tightened his embrace around Joyce as expected. He had sensed something was wrong when Reuben left that day with a resolute look on his face. He hadn’t anticipated Reuben would trade himself for everyone’s safety.

Joyce was equally stunned; she and Darrin had risked so much to steal the Dawnblade.

But if Reuben handed over the seal to Clint, wouldn’t all their efforts be wasted?

She muttered in disbelief, “No way… How could Reuben be so foolish? Going to Clint means certain death! Clint only needs to kill him for everything to end.”

Grizela couldn’t hold back any longer; she snatched the Dawnblade from Hajime’s hand and dashed out.

Seeing Grizela’s desolate eyes filled with despair shocked Joyce. “What’s she going to do?”

“I’ll check on her.” Darrin quickly followed her out.

Grizela ran swiftly to where Reuben usually held meetings and knelt down with a thud in the dark underground contact point.

Without turning on any lights, she drew out the Dawnblade which gleamed silver in the darkness.

She raised it high above her head aimed at her abdomen.

Darrin arrived just in time to see her intent and rushed forward to snatch away her sword with a loud clang as it hit the ground far away.

She wanted to end her life!!