"There's no need for you to do anything. I'm just in a bad mood; that's all."
Harper couldn't hold back her chuckle. With her hand covering her mouth, she said, "Such being the case, I'll help you have fun today. Since you're going to the Great Jade Kingdom, you may end up having a hard time along the way. After all, it's a really long and tiring journey."
"I won't take you there," Matthew flatly said. He was so annoyed by Francis' cunning plan. But even if Francis wasn't plotting against him, he still wouldn't take Harper to the Great Jade Kingdom along with him. That was because, in his opinion, the threat posed by Rolando was far greater than that posed by Francis.
Harper simply nodded her head in agreement. "His Majesty won't allow me to go with you anyway. They won't feel at ease unless I stay in the imperial capital."
"Harp, I don't want to be separated from you."
"The worst-case scenario is that it will take a month at the most for you to go to the Great Jade Kingdom and come back. Please don't worry. I'll be waiting for you in the imperial capital."
Matthew buried his head on Harper's neck. After staying silent for some time, he opened his mouth and said, "You... You are not allowed to meet Francis no matter what."
At that moment, Harper seriously wanted to burst out laughing, but she tried her best to refrain from doing it. "Although Francis is very handsome, I am already your wife. And even if I didn't have you, there's still no way I would choose him. I wonder what's making you this jealous."
"If you didn't have me, who would you choose?" Matthew asked in a threatening tone. "Zack, Shawn, or Carlson?"
That was the last straw; Harper couldn't hold back anymore and burst into laughter. "Matthew, your jealousy is completely uncalled-for. I'm faithful, but you always suspect me. Are you seriously forcing me to try to consider one of them?"
"What? How dare you tease me? I'll make you pay!" Upon saying that, Matthew began to tickle his wife. Unable to bear it, Harper kept on begging for mercy. It was only then that he finally let go of her. "I'll leave the twenty-four secret guards to take care of you. While I'm not in the imperial capital, you must protect yourself well. Can you promise me that?"
"Okay, okay, I promise I will protect myself well, take good care of myself and wait for your return," Harper said with a smile. "I'm already starting to miss you even before you leave. Your status as the prince is very annoying."
"I can give up my status. What do you think?"
After raising her head and giving it much thought, Harper replied, "No way. You have offended so many people. If you lose your status, you'll only be giving those people a chance to get back at you. Although your status is very annoying, it is still useful as a means of protecting yourself."
"Well, it's all up to you. I'll let you decide whether I give it up or not. Now, tell me, do you want it or not?" Matthew asked, with a trace of banter visible in his eyes.
"Of course I want it!"
"Really?"
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