Forensic Imperial Concubine by Erika Black

Harper acquiesced to their remarks without speaking. Charles was uncertain of how to proceed, seeing

her 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 a

most gracious favor. I have

no words to express my gratitude to His Majesty for granting me such a marriage."

Charles nodded, pleased at her obedience. "Since you have acknowledged that it is a good

opportunity, I will speak frankly. You

are also a member of the Chu Clan, and you will carry our name your whole life. You must never forget

that the clan's interest is

of utmost importance. Am I understood?"

"Yes. I understand," Harper answered, with her head down. As soon as Charles finished his last

sentence, she understood why

she had been called. He wanted to use her as a means to get something from Matthew.

"After you marry into the prince's mansion, you will report about his every move to me." The

masquerade fell apart to reveal the

true intentions behind the marriage proposal. The emperor merely wanted to have someone who would

serve as his eyes

regarding Matthew's movement. Charles had been 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's

mansion, 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 you

in 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 putting herself into.

Harper had already known his selfish nature, but her father's words still sent a chill to her heart. She

was nothing else but a tool, and her value was only determined with how useful she would be. "I

understand. 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 may go." Charles was quite satisfied with Harper's seeming

obedience. As long as she stayed in Matthew's mansion and did as he asked, he would be able to

execute his plans perfectly. Once he got the Black Flag Token, the emperor would surely reward him.

Without delaying any further, Harper went out of the study and walked towards the Emerald House. Her

steps were heavy as she crossed the path. She had to meet Matthew and make her proposition as

soon 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 she told 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 were petrified once she had seen her visitor. It was Matthew.

"Your Highness! What can I do for you?" she greeted quickly, snapping out of her shock. "Harper, save

the formalities." He did not miss the shadow of disappointment that crossed her eyes when 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 head

expectantly.

"What do you think?" Matthew's voice was cold and his face was as hard as in iceberg. Harper kept on

smiling even as she could

almost feel herself shiver in his gaze.

"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 will certainly 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 another place to live in. I will

relinquish the title of your wife after three years. There must be someone that you truly love. You can

take me to meet her. I

promise I will return my position to her after three years. I swear it on my honor!" Afraid that the prince

wouldn't believe her,

Harper raised her hand and swore to him.

"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 I

would 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 finally

get 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 was married or not, he would never set her free and

would always find ways to

make use of her. She had no one 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 getting

older and older." Even as

she knew it, it was a difficult thing for Harper to say it out loud. She had tried her best to help Mavis be

in a good health, but there

was nothing that medicine could do against the natural course of the world. The body gets old and

deteriorates. In order to grant

her grandmother peace for the rest of her days, Harper would do nothing to cause harm to Charles.

After that, there would 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!"