You Hit My Heart by Kylie Stanford

Chapter 2040: A Hidden Paradise

Tadasuke replied, "Prince Reuben moved out of the palace two years ago. He has his own residence outside."

"Oh, Prince Reuben," Joyce repeated the name, chewing on the words.

On the surface, she appeared calm, but inside, she was in turmoil. She didn't want to show it in front of them. Luther must be going crazy right now. Their hard-earned peaceful days were shattered in an instant. She dared not think about how worried Anderson and Iris must be, not being able to see her.

She had no communication devices-no phone, no computer, no internet, no TV. She had nothing when she woke up.

The place she was in felt more like a step back in time than a hidden paradise.

It was deliberately isolated from the outside world, with traditional customs. The people here were long confined by traditional thoughts and rigid behaviors.

"Do you have a phone?" Joyce asked Tadasuke. "Uh, do you know what a phone is?"

She gestured with her hands, "About this big, you can make calls and hear the other person's voice, connect with others."

Tadasuke looked slightly exasperated. "I know. We are not allowed to use them in the palace." Though she was older and had lived in the palace for a long time, it didn't mean she was ignorant of the outside world.

"Oh, then how do you contact your family?" Joyce asked in surprise.

"We don't contact them regularly. When we leave the palace on holidays, we can use electronic devices outside. We have 15 days off each year," Tadasuke replied. "We can reunite with our families every year."

Joyce's mouth nearly dropped open. "Only 15 days a year? Working around the clock without weekends or legal holidays. That's forced labor. It's unbelievable that you all accept this willingly. It's exploitation. Aren't you protected by labor laws? Why don't you strike? Rohomes is supposed to be a developed democratic country."

know how to respond. Talking to Joyce

No walkie-talkies or Bluetooth receivers? You can't possibly send

to make a call, I have to leave the palace first? No one here can lend me a phone?" Joyce confirmed. Tadasuke

over a woman is a major taboo

anyone here. They all seemed to live in the last century. She wondered where they found the palace staff and how much they were paid to live like this. Tadasuke advised earnestly,

thoughts? It sounded like becoming

to break down. She tried to explain, "First of all, I'm not from Rohomes. I'm married and have children. Actually, Reuben and I are friends..." Before she could finish her sentence, Tadasuke interrupted, "Madam, please return to Imperial Villa. I'll take you to your room and see if you need anything

really were like robots with no sense of rights, only knowing how to

Tadasuke to her room in Imperial

respectfully said, "This is the room specifically designated for you by the

stood outside and looked around before peeking inside. It was much more extravagant than she

she asked, "This place looks big and luxurious. Who usually lives

the residence of the Crown Prince's consorts," Tadasuke replied. "This is the highest-grade room in Imperial

off. Consorts? What a joke. Wasn't it

living here?" Joyce

head.

As expected. From what she knew about the Rohomes royal family, she hadn't heard of concubines being

you live?" Joyce

live in Nagare Residence," Tadasuke

suddenly stopped in

and women live together? Or do men have

daily needs. You can command any maid or steward here, including me. If you need anything, just let me know, and I'll arrange it for you,"