You Hit My Heart by Kylie Stanford

Chapter 2067: Will Also Die
The next day, night fell.
In the underground contact point of the Eastern Capital Palace's inner hall, Joyce, Luther, and Darrin arrived at the address left by Grizela. Darrin did not expect to find the young commander so easily, and Luther was also there; both were in Kane's office. As darkness fell again after the day, they avoided patrols on the road and arrived at the contact point.
Shortly after, Reuben arrived upon hearing the news, with Grizela following closely behind. The underground contact point was deep and hidden, an ancient tunnel structure with a vaulted ceiling, brick walls on all sides, and a thick carpet on the floor, devoid of any dampness.
Seeing Joyce and Luther sitting on the sofa, Reuben let out a heavy sigh of relief. "You scared me to death. That lunatic Clint kidnapped you to the East Palace. When I heard about the excellent marksmanship, I guessed it was you." Reuben took a few steps closer and carefully looked at Joyce. "Are you okay? Did he do anything to you?"
Joyce and Luther exchanged a glance. They knew they had to tell Reuben about the dark magic sooner or later.
Luther spoke first. "Sit down first."
"Alright." Reuben sat on the sofa opposite them. "This is all my fault. Clint must have targeted you because I took the blueprint. It was my oversight that brought you trouble. Joyce, rest assured, I haven't revealed any details of the blueprint. I will return it to you intact in the future."
"The blueprint is no longer important," Joyce said with dim eyes. "I heard that you inherited the throne and received the decree."
"Yes," Reuben did not deny it, "but I haven't announced it publicly yet."
"No wonder Clint's men and the Yoshikawa family have mobilized forces and almost surrounded Eastern Capital but haven't declared war. Why?" Luther asked.
"As you can see, my support within the palace is limited in military power. Currently, our forces are mutually encircling each other. I have the decree and seal; once I officially ascend to the throne, it means civil war will begin," Reuben frowned. "But I don't want to plunge the country into chaos."
"You have the decree and seal but can't command other families' support?" Luther understood some of their power structures. "If you gain their support, they could surround Eastern Capital from outside and suppress the Yoshikawa family. Why not?"
"Because having just the decree and seal isn't enough for recognition by other families. I also need Dawnblade. With both the seal and Dawnblade, I can command other major families," Reuben explained fully. "Dawnblade is not in my possession."
"Dawnblade?!"
Joyce suddenly stood up, recalling seeing Clint polishing a dazzling sword when she left his mansion that night. Clint had even perversely asked her if it was beautiful. Could it be?
Luther pulled Joyce back to sit beside him. She had been in excruciating pain last night; although it had subsided later, he remained anxious. Her suffering pained him deeply; though he stayed by her side constantly, an uneasy feeling kept growing because he didn't know when she might be in pain again, something beyond their control.
"I think I've seen Dawnblade in Clint's possession," Joyce confirmed.
Luther was stunned. "If Clint has Dawnblade, can he command other families?"
Reuben shook his head. "No, he doesn't have the seal."
Luther sighed in relief. "So both seal and Dawnblade are indispensable for true succession?" S-Dah the (F)indNovil.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
"Yes, but..." Reuben hadn't finished speaking when Joyce suddenly convulsed in pain again.
Damn it! It started hurting again. She knew Clint was warning her for not returning.
Luther immediately understood what was happening and quickly held Joyce in his arms, soothing her back to ease her pain.
Darrin asked nervously, "Young Commander, what's wrong? What happened?"
He had no idea what was going on since contacting Joyce and Luther; he hadn't noticed anything unusual until now.
Grizela stood beside Darrin equally puzzled.
Reuben knelt before Joyce and softly asked, "What's wrong? Where does it hurt? Let me check."
Seeing her in pain, he continued asking, "Stomach cramps? Acute appendicitis? Don't worry; I can treat general illnesses or perform surgery if needed."
Luther shook his head. "It's not that."
Joyce's face turned pale as she clutched Luther's arm tightly.
Luther said tenderly, "Bite my arm if it hurts too much; I don't mind."
Joyce curled up more in his arms and shook her head weakly. "I'm fine; I can bear it."
Reuben sensed something amiss. "What's going on? What's wrong with her?"
"Have you heard of your country's dark magic? Through some sinister ritual, Clint now controls Joyce's life and death, causing her pain at will every seven days unless she takes an antidote," Luther explained while comforting Joyce.
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"What!" Reuben stood up in shock.
No wonder he had wondered how someone as ruthless as Clint could let Joyce escape; now he understood Clint had this trick up his sleeve. The content is on Novelxo.org! Read
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"I've heard of it," Reuben's voice trembled slightly. "But I've never seen it; it's just
a legend... How can it be real? It's unscientific..."
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"It's unscientific but true; this is her
second bout of pain," Luther held Joyce fighter with deep concern. "Since you've heard of it before, do
you know any way to break it?" The content is on Novelxo.org! Read
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Reuben shook his head slowly. "No."
"Eastern Lands' dark magic? I've heard of it too," Grizela said from one side.
Darrin quickly asked, "Do you know how to break it? Who can we find?"
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"You know? Tell us quickly! No matter who or what method is needed, we must free Joyce from that madman Clint," Reuben felt even more guilty for dragging them into this mess. The content is on Novelxo.org! Read the latest chapter there!
Grizela shook her head slowly again.
"I don't know how to break it either; I've only heard elders mention dark magic before-using one's blood for curses to control others completely."
"It involved blood," Joyce nodded weakly.
"What else do you know?" Luther asked urgently. "What happens if the person
who cast the curse dies?"
"Then the cursed person will also die," Grizela replied firmly.
"What!" Luther was shocked; they couldn't kill Clint under such circumstances-
what should they do now?