Substitute Wife for the Mafia King R18-Chapter 450: Together As One

Seeing this vulnerable side of him only made me love and adore him even more, and it made my chest feel so tight that it almost brought tears to my eyes.

"Listen, it’s not like you’ve been the kind of guy who can sit back and relax while there is trouble. You’re always so righteous in your own way, and you would step in to try to help people, just like the way that you helped me," I said as I recalled the good old days.

"It’s going to be difficult," Bradon stated flatly.

"At least this time you will be fighting for something that matters. I believe in Desmond’s cause and I know that you do too. Even if everything crashes down around us, I know that I can face it with you. I’ll help you, and you don’t have to worry about me because I’ll manage as long as you are by my side," I said as I took his hand and gave it a little encouraging squeeze.

Bradon looked at me as if he was skeptical, his eyes searching mine as though he was testing every word.

"Do you truly believe that?" he asked.

"I do. Truly," I replied firmly.

I took his hand and guided it to my lips before placing soft kisses on the back of his hand.

"You can do this. If there’s someone who can do this, it’s you," I said with conviction.

"Thank you for believing in me. I’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you when all of this is over, and I’ll make sure that it doesn’t get too hard on you," Bradon promised.

"Instead of making it up to me, why don’t you promise me something?" I suggested.

"Anything," he replied shortly.

"When it gets hard, and I know that it will, please don’t shut me out. Let me stand proudly by your side, and let me be there for you as your wife," I said as I kept staring into his beautiful eyes.

Bradon seemed to ponder my words, tossing them around in his mind for a moment, but in the end, he nodded and agreed.

"I promise," he said.

...

A staged and planned election came with very tight timelines-that was what I learned firsthand. Desmond must have been extremely impatient to put his plan into motion because the countrywide campaign period only lasted two weeks. Bradon did very well in all of his public speeches, and that was probably because of all his experience acting in Anthony’s place. I was sort of glad that those experiences came in handy.

I followed him every step of the way, as if I were his shadow, in order to lend my support. We were out there together in public for the sake of the election, but also to cement the fact that we were married and that we were together. Going out in public together was our way of making our place in the world and marking the start of our new life. Bradon was no longer going to live in hiding, and I was going to reclaim my place in the country.

We focused our energy on the upcoming election, especially during the evenings when we were alone. The house was quiet, as if there wasn’t a single soul living inside. Computers, tablets, and papers were spread across Bradon’s work table. Maps of districts, lists of names, and outlines of policies dedicated to each district were laid out neatly.

Bradon sat in his usual seat with his sleeves rolled up and a very serious look on his face.

At first, I felt quite strange being part of this world. Campaign numbers, polling charts, forming political alliances-it wasn’t the kind of thing I had ever imagined myself getting involved in. Despite my father being a politician and a nobleman in the country ever since I was born, it always felt like it was his world, not mine, and a world I didn’t want to venture into.

"You don’t have to stress so much. I’m sure that the majority will vote in your favor. After all, you’ve got the King’s support," I said before giving his stiff shoulders a massage as I stood behind him.

"I don’t want to win the election purely because I have the King’s support. That would make my entire government illegitimate in the eyes of the people, and it’s legitimacy that we need in order for the people to believe in us and the change that we are pushing for," Bradon said passionately.

I agreed with him, but I just didn’t like to see him so stressed out and worn down. This kind of work was wearing him down in a different way than when he was struggling between his job and posing as his younger brother.

"I get that, but I just want you to get enough rest. I’m worried about you," I told him honestly. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Thank you for worrying, Leya. But this is nothing, don’t worry," Bradon replied reassuringly.

"So, what’s the strategy?" I asked as I pointed to the next district that we would be visiting.

"About the same. We continue aiming for the people-the ones that have been ignored for too long while corruption ran unchecked. They want change, and if we can make them believe that we will give it to them, there’s no reason why they won’t vote for us," Bradon replied confidently.

"Do you know that you sound a little different?" I asked before grinning at him.

"Different? In what way?" he asked with a curious look on his face.

"You seem more focused. Determined-as if nothing can stand in your way," I replied.

"Maybe that’s because nothing can. You might not believe it, but I feel like I can do anything if I have you by my side. Come here," Bradon said before tugging on my arm and urging me to sit on his lap.