Forensic Imperial Concubine

Chapter 187 A Deal (Part Two)

Harper acquiesced to their remarks without speaking. Charles was uncertain of how to proceed, seeingher blank expression.

"Do you have anything to say?" he asked.

Harper shook her head. "The emperor has granted me the decree. As you have said, Father, this is amost gracious favor. I have no words to express my gratitude to His Majesty for granting me such amarriage."

Charles nodded, pleased at her obedience. "Since you have acknowledged that it is a goodopportunity, I will speak frankly. You are also a member of the Chu Clan, and you will carry our nameyour whole life. You must never forget that the clan's interest is of utmost importance. Am Iunderstood?"

"Yes. I understand," Harper answered, with her head down. As soon as Charles finished his lastsentence, she understood why she had been called. He wanted to use her as a means to getsomething from Matthew.

"After you marry into the prince's mansion, you will report about his every move to me." Themasquerade fell apart to reveal the true intentions behind the marriage proposal. The emperor merelywanted to have someone who would serve as his eyes regarding Matthew's movement. Charles hadbeen given the task to watch the prince.

Harper raised her head and asked with a faint smile, "Father, are you asking me to spy on the prince?"

"Yes!" Charles showed no reluctance in revealing his purpose. "After you enter Prince Matthew'smansion, you must find a way to get the Black Flag Token and bring it to me."

"Father, would it really be that easy to get something out from the prince's mansion?" Harper asked,her expression amused.

"You have no need to worry. Several of my own men will be disguised as guards and sent to assist youin this mission. All you have to do is pass the information to them, and they will take care of the rest,"Charles answered. He had not given a single thought about the danger that Harper would be puttingherself into.

Harper had already known his selfish nature, but her father's words still sent a chill to her heart. Shewas nothing else but a tool, and her value was only determined with how useful she would be. "Iunderstand. Is there anything else, Father?"

"No. Just wait for your wedding quietly. If you are needed, I will send my guard to inform you. You maygo." Charles was quite satisfied with Harper's seeming obedience. As long as she stayed in Matthew'smansion and did as he asked, he would be able to execute his plans perfectly. Once he got the BlackFlag Token, the emperor would surely reward him.

Without delaying any further, Harper went out of the study and walked towards the Emerald House. Hersteps were heavy as she crossed the path. She had to meet Matthew and make her proposition assoon as possible. As long as her grandmother was alive, she would not do anything to harm Charles.She had given her word, but that promise excluded Howard and Katrina.

As soon as she arrived at Emerald House, Forsythia greeted her at the door, winking at Harper as shetold her to go back to her room. There was someone waiting inside for her.

Harper's eyes lit up. She rushed back into her room expecting the masked man, but her legs werepetrified once she had seen her visitor.

It was Matthew. "Your Highness! What can I do for you?" she greeted quickly, snapping out of hershock.

"Harper, save the formalities." He did not miss the shadow of disappointment that crossed her eyeswhen she saw him. "I know you don't want to marry me."

"I dare not say that!" Harper answered.

"Is that so?" Matthew said. "I don't like forcing others to do things they don't want to."

"Then, do you mean that it would be alright to call off the marriage?" Harper asked, raising her headexpectantly.

"What do you think?" Matthew's voice was cold and his face was as hard as in iceberg. Harper kept onsmiling even as she could almost feel herself shiver in his gaze.novelbin

"Of course not," she answered. "Your Highness, I have a proposal. Please hear me out."

"What proposal?"

"Let me stay at your mansion for three years, during which I will be your nominal wife. In this time, I willcertainly carry out the duties of my position, and I will also try my best to cure you, as I am a physician.After three years, you can write a letter of divorce. Don't worry. I guarantee that I would not betray you,and I will never go anywhere far from my living quarters."

A storm was brewing in Matthew's head. "You want me to divorce you after three years?"

"Yes, Your Highness. I am aware that you don't particularly favor me. As for myself, I just want anotherplace to live in. I will relinquish the title of your wife after three years. There must be someone that youtruly love. You can take me to meet her. I promise I will return my position to her after three years. Iswear it on my honor!" Afraid that the prince wouldn't believe her, Harper raised her hand and swore tohim.

"Why do you need three years?" asked Matthew slowly as the storm in his head settled.

Harper remained silent for a while. Then she said in a low voice, "I promised my grandmother that Iwould never hurt someone in Chu Clan, as long as she is alive."

That someone was no one else but Charles. Harper thought that if she was married, she could finallyget out of Chu Clan and she would not have to keep being trapped within the cold walls of the mansion.However, Charles had made things very clear when he called her to his study. Whether she wasmarried or not, he would never set her free and would always find ways to make use of her. She had noone to rely on but herself.

"Ah, I see. Mavis," the prince said.

He had been terse, but Harper felt her chest sting as his words hit the bull's eye. "Grandma is gettingolder and older." Even as she knew it, it was a difficult thing for Harper to say it out loud. She had triedher best to help Mavis be in a good health, but there was nothing that medicine could do against thenatural course of the world. The body gets old and deteriorates. In order to grant her grandmotherpeace for the rest of her days, Harper would do nothing to cause harm to Charles. After that, therewould be no need to hold back.

"Alright. I agree to your terms. Just do as you say. Rest assured I will not let you be treated unfairly.You will be good with me for the next three years."

"Thank you very much, Your Highness!"