You Hit My Heart by Kylie Stanford

Chapter 2039: Imperial Villa Joyce stepped outside the hall. She had only glimpsed a corner of the interior. Once outside, she realized the difference was vast. The garden before her was incredibly serene, seemingly designed for admiration and contemplation. Every plant and stone were connected in a natural essence.

Tseemed to stand still here. Joyce couldn't help but marvel.

"It's so beautiful," she thought.

Without a drop of water, it could transform into a vast ocean. Without building a mountain, it could reflect towering peaks. The trees were pruned into arcs, resembling distant islands, either floating alone or forming archipelagos.

Tadasuke caught up with Joyce's pace. "Madam, please wait. Please followthis way," Tadasuke said respectfully.

Joyce glanced back at Tadasuke. Although she didn't understand the customs of this country or their hierarchy, she could tell that Tadasuke held a higher rank than the servant who had delivered food earlier, judging by his more elaborate clothing and hairstyle. Tadasuke appeared to be over fifty, likely one of the more senior members here.

"You calledwhat? Madam? What kind of madam?" Joyce scoffed lightly.

Tadasuke responded respectfully, "Any woman temporarily without status residing in the East Palace is referred to as 'Madam."" Joyce rolled her eyes. "I have nothing to do with Clint. Besides, I'm already married." Tadasuke kept his head down as if he hadn't heard Joyce's words. He had clearly seen their intimacy earlier, initiated by the woman before him.

Joyce sighed, "Forget it, there's no point explaining to you." Tadasuke finally replied, "Any woman residing in the East Palace is considered the Crown Prince's woman. Madam, please follow me." Joyce was speechless. She felt it was pointless to argue with these robots who only followed orders.

"Am I going in the wrong direction?" Joyce inquired. "It seems more open ahead." "That leads to the main hall. The Imperial Villa is not in that direction," Tadasuke replied, glancing at Joyce with sdisdain for her uninhibited behavior. "Madam, when speaking, your shoulders should not move back and forth. Also, your voice is too loud. Such behavior is not allowed in the East Palace." Joyce laughed loudly on purpose, "Shoulders still? Do you think I'm a puppet? This is my natural voice. If you're not satisfied, letgo. Tellwhere the main gate is, and I'll leave right now." Tadasuke was at a loss for words, clearly irritated, his old face wrinkled in frustration as he exhaled through his nose.

"This way, please," he said with forced politeness due to his upbringing.

Tadasuke led the way, and Joyce followed behind him.

As they walked, Joyce noted the landmarks along the way-gardens, study rooms, tea rooms, flower pavilions, and more.

After passing through a winding corridor, they finally arrived at the Imperial Villa.

Tadasuke opened the door to the Imperial Villa, where several maids were already waiting inside.

"Please bathe and change first," Tadasuke said as he removed his shoes and led Joyce to the bathing area.

Then Tadasuke knelt at the entrance of the bathing room.

"No need to kneel," Joyce tried to help him up.

But Tadasuke refused anxiously, "This is the rule." Joyce was speechless. In this day and age, people still knelt? She felt like she had traveled back in time. She had to constantly remind herself that she was still in the modern era; otherwise, the surroundings made her feel like she had time-traveled.

"Fine, kneel if you want. It's none of my business," Joyce shrugged.

As she stepped into the bathing area, she was stunned.

This wasn't just a bathing room; it was a semi-open hot spring.

A stone pool emitted steam, and a stone lion's mouth continuously oured hot water into it. Surrounded by rockeries and green plants, amboo fences over a person i ned high enclosed it. The half-open sky evealed a clear blue expanse. Joyce realized she hadn't bathed since leaving South Island.

Feeling uncomfortable, she quickly undressed and stepped into the hot spring.

At that moment, several maids approached with brushes and other items.

Startled, Joyce quickly covered herself. "Stay away; I prefer to bathe alone. Keep your distance." "But..." The maids hesitated.

Joyce's stern expression made them back off. When she got serious, her commanding presence was intimidating.

Reluctantly, they retreated to one side.

Joyce meticulously cleaned herself and then wrapped herself in a large towel.

"Where are my clothes?" She noticed her previous clothes were gone.

"We will dress you," two maids approached with trays holding intricately patterned kimonos and an embroidered gold belt.

Joyce want at the sight. "I don't that; it's too the you getsomethie somethinnormal-like a T-shirt and a T-shirt and jeans." The maids were speechless.

This was the palace; wearing T-shirts and jeans here was unthinkable for them.

"Can't decide? Go ask your boss-or rather, your prince," Joyce waved them off. "If you don't bringwhat I want, I'll walk around in this towel.

If you don't mind, neither do 1." The maids and Tadasuke exchanged worried glances. They feared punishment.

Finally, Tadasuke stood up and left the Imperial Villa to seek permission.

As Joyce dried her hair and waited for about twenty minutes, Tadasuke returned just as she finished drying her hair. Tadasuke brought a set of clothes. "Madam, we couldn't find a T-shirt and jeans for you. Here's a formal dress instead." Wrapped in her towel, Joyce walked over and glanced at it.

It was a proper formal dress-pale mauve with matching lambskin shoes. It would do; better than that cumberskimono.

Joyce took the clothes and quickly changed herself.

Once dressed, Joyce wandered around the Imperial Villa.

Tadasuke followed closely behind her.

"Do other princes live here too?" Joyce asked.

"This is the East Palace-the Crown Prince's residence," Tadasuke replied.

"I mean, do other princes live in the palace? Letput it this way-I know Reuben. Where does he live?" Joyce asked directly.