Chapter 186 A Deal (Part One)


    A deafening silence enveloped the hall. Not a word was spoken as Matthew sat quietly. The people in


    the hall were painfully aware of the real intent behind the proposal, and the air rippled with a tense


    breath.


    No one dared mock Matthew. Despite his disability, he was still a prince, and was entitled to his right to


    consider the proposition of marriage.


    He had the military forces of the entire country under hismand. A single word from him was all it


    would take to end anyone who dared offend him.


    Harper trembled as she knelt on the floor, the muscles of her limbs growing numb. Franklin stood up as


    he noticed the slight tremors that racked her stooped frame. Mustering his courage, he opened his


    mouth to speak and help her, but before the words left his mouth, Matthew moved his lips and


    answered, "It is an honor. You have my gratitude, Your Majesty." With these words, his answer was


    clear. Every single person present knew that Harper was nothing but a pawn. Whether she would


    survive or perish was uncertain. All that she could do was pray that fate would give her mercy.


    "Ha-ha, Matthew, as long as you''re satisfied with it, it will be my greatest pleasure. Hansen had called


    off his engagement to Harper, but she is a woman of talent and beauty, not to mention that she is the


    daughter of Prime Minister Charles and the vice director of Imperial Academy of Medicine. She is


    befitting of your rank and status," the emperor said, his tone belying his greater intention. Before


    Harper, three women who were Matthew''s betrothed had died before they even had a chance to enter


    his mansion. It was clear that Harper was caught in between a dangerous power struggle. Her next


    move would be crucial—her life was hanging on delicate strings and she would have to tread carefully.


    All the officials present did not need any exnation. They knew their emperor all too well to see


    through his facade. The emperor was delighted in the humiliation of his brother; thus he mentioned


    Harper''s engagement to Hansen. The rtionship between the two brothers was a tragic sight.


    Matthew had risked his life to prove his innocence and fought to serve the emperor, only to end up


    crippled. The emperor''s cruelty to his own brother was almost odious, but the people present did not


    have to option to avert their eyes from the scene.


    Matthew, however, seemed as if he had no idea of it. "Thank you, Your Majesty," he said.


    "Harper," Charles called out, "surely you would also like to express your gratitude to His Majesty and


    His Highness."


    Harper gritted her teeth butplied with the silentmand. "Thank you, Your Majesty."


    "Very well. Today is a fortunate day for my dear brother. Matthew, I have always been worried about


    you remaining unmarried for a long time, but this day puts my troubles at rest. It is my great happiness


    to see you ept this proposal. We must get to the marriage preparations quickly. I will send my


    eunuch for the imperial edict immediately. Where''s the imperial astronomer?"


    "Your Majesty! I''m Floyd, the imperial astronomer."


    "When would be the ideal day to hold the wedding?" the emperor asked with a bright smile.


    "Your Majesty, the sixth day of the Lunar New Year would be an auspicious time for a marriage. It


    would bring the pair good fortune," Floyd answered after thinking for a while.


    "The sixth day of the Lunar New Year? Great. Then, let''s choose the day! Now, where is the head of


    the Ministry of Rites?"


    "I am here, Your Majesty."


    "Help Matthew hold the wedding. It has to be perfectly arranged. We can''t make Harper feel treated


    shabbily. Is that understood?" The officials hummed and nodded as the emperor made a show of


    making arrangements quickly. Matthew listened quietly without interrupting him. His gaze remained on


    Harper, who had not moved from her kneeling position on the floor.


    "Your Majesty, my betrothed is still kneeling on the floor," he said lightly, even as his voice was full of


    pressure.


    It was only then that the emperor seemed to have remembered her. Smiling, he said, "You may rise,


    Harper." Then, turning to Matthew, he remarked, "It seems I''ve made the right choice. You are already


    starting to care for your fiancee. This is a very good sign. I am certain if she marries into your mansion,


    she will definitely be taken good care of."


    Matthew did not answer. He continued to drink disinterestedly, as if everything around did not have the


    least bit of importance. Harper returned to her seat, her back straight and her steps elegant. She


    maintained a dignified expression, far from the one she had as she knelt down on the floor.


    The wedding date was set on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, leaving only ten days left for the


    preparations.


    Murmurs arose from the whole hall. As Matthew was disabled, he had spent most of his time in the


    confines of his home without involving himself in any statewide affairs. He had even relinquished his


    post with the three judicial departments. No one had expected the emperor to appoint Harper as his


    wife. Matthew''s rank as a prince was among the highest. It would be a great honor for any woman to


    marry such a man, but as the prince was a cripple, the spectators pitied Harper.


    Harper didn''t utter a word even after the feast was over. Mavis looked at her granddaughter and sighed


    at her silence. "Harper, this is life."


    Harper raised her head, her face devoid of any anger or tragedy. "Grandma, it is a good thing. Marrying


    Prince Matthew is not an opportunity granted to everyone. I am happy with it. You don''t have to be


    worried about me."


    Mavis opened her mouth to speak but she could not find her words. What Harper said was right—


    marriage to a prince was a chance of a lifetime. However, Mavis also knew the rift between the


    emperor and his brother. Despite his facade, the emperor had not been subtle with his attacks. Mavis


    had lived long enough to understand how the court was a battlefield on its own, and the emperor had


    his eyes locked on Matthew. If Harper married the prince, she would also be caught in the crossfire.


    "I will ask your father to try and see if this marriage could be avoided," Mavis said.


    "Grandma, we cannot disobey the imperial edict. Disobedience is a capital crime!" Harper raised the


    imperial edict in her hand, effectively silencing the rest of Mavis'' words. She had a n in mind. This


    predicament might be turned into a golden opportunity. She had already been considering getting a


    backer, and now the emperor took the initiative to send her one. If she yed her cards right, she could


    make herself a favorable deal.


    As soon as they got back to Chu n mansion, Charles called Harper into the study.


    Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Father, Brother, what do you want?" asked Harper coldly.


    "His Majesty has bestowed a great favor upon you. You have to remember his graciousness," Charles


    said. "You were not highborn, but as you have been chosen to marry Prince Matthew by His Majesty,


    you should be grateful. You will be an imperial member once you wed him."