The emperor was stunned and somewhat embarrassed. He had almost completely forgotten that Harper was his spy. He saw, then, that Felix raised a very good point.

"Well, go and ask for Harper's presence in the palace," he said at length. "I will ask her in person."

"Father, word came from Uncle Matthew's mansion not long ago that Aunt Harper is bed-ridden and seriously ill. I'm afraid she can't come to the palace in any case." The woman he had saved from the military camp was hysterical and talking nonsense. He had asked someone to cure her, and after that was done, then he would know what had really happened in Prince Matthew's mansion.

The emperor frowned deeply. If Harper was seriously ill, then how was he supposed to spy on Matthew now? "Andy," he rumbled.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Tomorrow morning, go to Matthew's mansion. I want you to find out fo

"Why doesn't this sound right to me?" Harper asked, more confused than ever.

"But it is right. If someone dares do something to you, I'll make him wish he'd never been born. So if someone makes a move against your husband, aren't you going to do something about it?"

Harper nodded seriously, unable to find a flaw in his logic. "But Matthew, is there anyone who can do anything to you?"

"Yes. Do you remember the last time someone did that? How was I set up and even poisoned?" Matthew's reply was very earnest.

Harper was speechless for a while. "Yes, I remember."

"So, honey, the truth is I'm not strong enough for all this on my own," Matthew admitted. "So please, recover soon so you can help me."

"Oh, shame on you," Harper said, thinking she understood now. "But if someone so much as lays a finger on you, I won't let them get away with it."