Wrong Marriage and Sweet Love

Joyce glanced at Shizuka. As a woman, she knew Shizuka was telling the truth. She hadn’t expected Clint to have so many admirers. Given his looks and demeanor, it was no surprise he attracted many.

However, while Shizuka had feelings, Clint did not. Any union would depend on Clint’s agreement. This unpredictable man kept everyone guessing.

Hajime was stunned. His daughter had a secret crush on Clint? How long had this been going on? Was this why she refused to marry anyone else? Her heart had already been claimed, but due to their opposing sides, she kept it hidden.

After a moment of silence, Hajime sighed. “Alright, I understand. You may go.”

“Thank you, Father,” Shizuka said, bowing deeply before leaving.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

That night, in the Royal Council Hall, the formal peace talks were held.

Clint had treated his wounds and received some blood transfusions. By now, some color had returned to his face. He sat at the negotiation table with his hands wrapped in bandages.

Luther, Joyce, Hajime, and others were also present at the table.

Clint tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his expression unreadable. Was this a negotiation or an attempt to force him into submission?

He scoffed lightly. “Speak up; I don’t have much patience.”

Hajime couldn’t stand Clint’s arrogance. “Your Highness, we have both the Dawnblade and the Imperial Seal.”

“I know that; otherwise, why would I be here?” Clint replied, gently touching the bandages on his hand.

Joyce noticed the bandages were from when Clint shielded her from flying debris. Though he wore a suit and appeared composed, the bandages peeking from his collar revealed his injuries. Despite his fatigue, he maintained his strong demeanor.

This was Clint-never willing to show weakness. Even without the two relics in his possession, he exuded confidence and calmness. Reuben could never match that.

Despite her reluctance to admit it, Joyce knew that if Clint weren’t mad or obsessive, he would be more suited to be emperor than Reuben.

“Your Highness,” Hajime began, “your only leverage now is controlling Joyce and restraining the Heath family. With your current forces, you can’t handle both the Yoshikawa family’s rebellion and the Imperial Household Agency.”

“Oh, Hajime,” Clint sneered. “How much do you know about my forces?”

He chuckled softly. “For over a decade, I’ve been secretly building my own army outside Eastern Capital. Didn’t you find out?”

Hajime was stunned. A private army? If the former emperor were alive, this would be treasonous.

Joyce glanced nervously at Luther. Did Clint have another plan? Did he not want peace talks? Using his title and secret army to defeat both the Yoshikawa family and the Imperial Household Agency-how long would such a war last?

“You don’t want peace talks? Then why are you here?” Joyce asked angrily.

Seeing her agitation, Clint felt a pang in his heart. She must be eager to return home.

“Calm down,” he said slowly. “I didn’t say we wouldn’t negotiate. State your terms; I’ll listen.”

“Alright,” Hajime began listing conditions.

“First, after Your Highness ascends the throne, I will be Prime Minister. You must promise not to dissolve the Imperial Household Agency and persuade those who opposed you to pledge their loyalty. Those unwilling will be dismissed but spared.”

“Second, allow Prince Reuben and Kempley to leave Rohomes with their loyal followers safely. You must promise not to send assassins after them.”

“Third, all policies must be publicly voted on and receive majority support before implementation. I won’t always be Prime Minister; there will be elections every three years.”

“Fourth,” Hajime paused before continuing hesitantly, “Your Highness must marry my daughter Shizuka to stabilize morale within the Imperial Household Agency.”

“And finally,” Hajime’s face darkened as he spoke, “you must lift the curse on Joyce and ensure their safe return to Pascaylia for national peace.”

Clint listened without any visible reaction at first.

His lack of expression made everyone uneasy; even anger would have been better than no reaction at all.

Joyce felt anxious; these demands were numerous and restrictive for someone like Clint who disliked constraints. Would he agree?

The silence was unbearable.

After a long pause, Clint finally adjusted his posture gracefully and smiled faintly.

“So many conditions? It doesn’t seem worth it for me,” he said mockingly. “Hajime wants to be emperor like Hirota?”

Reuben interjected quickly. “Hajime isn’t like that! Limiting royal power is necessary for national progress. Besides, with rotating Prime Ministers through elections-no one will hold absolute power forever.”

Clint smiled again. “Agreeing isn’t impossible… but lifting the curse…”

He paused deliberately before looking deeply at Joyce and then Luther.

His gaze was inscrutable and intense.

Joyce felt uneasy; what was Clint planning now?

Luther spoke up cautiously. “If you lift the curse on Joyce-whatever wealth you want-I can provide it for war efforts or anything else.”

Clint’s eyes remained fixed on Joyce as he spoke slowly with magnetic intensity.

“I have only one condition.”

“What is it?” Luther asked uneasily; something felt off about Clint’s expression and tone.

Avoiding Clint’s burning gaze made Joyce feel even more uncomfortable.

With a slight smile playing on his lips, Clint uttered each word clearly:

“Have her stay with me for one night.”

“You!” Luther stood up abruptly in anger.

This was intolerable!