“Ha, don’t worry. Whether it’s a marriage alliance or deploying troops, I don’t need a woman to help me,” Clint said, setting down his teacup with a smile. “But you better give up any thoughts of leaving.” Clint rubbed his fingers together.


    Joyce felt her stomach knot up. She looked up and asked, “What do you want? I’m already here.”


    “Nothing, just a reminder,” Clint said as he stepped closer to Joyce. “You’re already mine.”


    “You’re insane,” Joyce snapped, standing up and pulling Darrin along as she headed outside. They walked until they reached a secluded spot in the garden.


    Joyce stopped and fumed, “What is Clint trying to do? If he wants to marry Chiyuki, fine. If he agrees to the marriage today, Hirota might dere war immediately, which would be bad for Reuben.”


    “Yes, both sides are at a stalemate for now, giving Prince Reuben some breathing room,” Darrin nodded.


    “Darrin, what do you think his real intention is? He can’t seriously be using me to force my parents to deploy troops. I’ve asked him many times, but he never states his terms. It’s impossible that he actually likes me; who would believe that?”


    Darrin remained silent. From a man’s perspective, he believed Clint was serious about Joyce and willing to go to any lengths. Otherwise, marrying Chiyuki would be the best choice right now. Clint had no reason to refuse.


    “Darrin, I have a n. We steal the Dawnde and give it to Reuben. This way, Reuben and Hajime can rally other families to take down Clint. Reuben ascends the throne, bringing peace. Otherwise, a madman like Clint-ruthless and paranoid-bing emperor would be disastrous.” Joyce was indignant. “I was blind to save him back then; it was all a trap.”


    “Have you seen the Dawnde?” Darrin asked.


    “Yes, I saw Clint take out the sword in the side hall. He never does anything without a motive,” Joyce paused. “I checked earlier; there are no safes in the main or side halls. There might be a hiddenpartment in the side hall. We’ll look for it when we get the chance.”Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    “Even if we find it, how do we leave? The ce is heavily guarded,” Darrin said instinctively looking around.


    “I slipped out once during a guard shift change in the backyard when the emperor died and security was chaotic. It might be harder now,” Joyce took a deep breath. “If necessary, I’ll distract them while you escape. As long as someone gets the Dawnde out, it will have the same effect.”


    “Someone’sing; stop talking,” Darrin warned Joyce and shielded her behind him.


    Sure enough, it was Watanabe passing by not far from them. His gaze was sharp as a knife as it swept over Joyce.


    Darrin whispered, “This man wants to kill you; be careful.”


    “I know,” Joyce understood she was an obstacle. “The prince’s downfall had nothing to do with me. Even if I weren’t here, the emperor would still leave the throne to Reuben.”


    “True, but Watanabe doesn’t see it that way. Without support from various families, Reuben’s im is just a piece of paper,” Darrin sighed. In his view, thete emperor made a poor decision leaving the throne to his second son without thorough preparation-it only invited chaos.


    Darrin and Joyce walked around the estate before returning to their room together.


    Clint’s estate was bustling with peopleing and going, clearly discussing important matters that continued into the night without Clint returning to his room.


    Joyce and Darrin rested until early morning when Clint seemed to have left urgently. It was an excellent opportunity as they sneaked into the side hall intending to find the Dawnde.


    Before they could act, Darrin sensed something amiss and stopped Joyce quietly saying, “Something’s wrong; there’s someone else here.”


    Joyce scanned the darkness and caught sight of a fleeting shadow moving in their direction.


    Darrin quickly covered Joyce’s mouth and nose saying softly, “Don’t breathe; there’s some chemical agent in the air.”


    He handed her special tissues they used to block out chemicals while they observed from their hiding spot.


    They saw guards on the first floor copsing unconscious as someone opened a crack in the side hall door.


    Joyce nced at Darrin indicating that someone else hade for the Dawnde and had incapacitated the guards silently-saving them trouble searching for it themselves.


    When a shadow emerged from the side hall carrying something long on their back, Darrin whispered, “Let’s follow him.”


    Joyce nodded knowing that someone had already stolen the Dawnde.


    They followed closely behind as they left Clint’s estate unimpeded due to incapacitated guards-a previously daunting task now easily aplished.


    The thief moved skillfully through thick night shadows heading towards scaling high walls when Darrin worriedly noted they might lose him if he used ninja techniques.


    Quickly reacting Joyce drew her pen-gun firing silently-a faint smell of gunpowder lingered as a bright spark cut through darkness hitting its mark causing their target to fall from atop wall with heavy thud louder than any other sound around them.


    Darrin swiftly retrieved long object from fallen thief whoy helpless with chest wound while Joyce and he disappeared into alleyway running far until safe distance allowed them pause catching breath before checking contents confirming sword inside cylinder indeed being Dawnde matching one Joyce saw earlier feeling relieved at smoothness of operation despite wondering who else sought same prize suspecting pce involvement yet grateful for unexpected assistance making this perhaps their smoothest mission ever.