I Got Cheated On and Ended Up in A Beast World

Lin Wan rested her palm gently over her stomach, feeling the familiar movements inside. "They are definitely strong. They keep kicking me frequently today."

Sister Yun laughed again. "Their constant movement simply means they are very impatient to see the world. They take after their fathers."

Lin Wan shook her head helplessly, a soft smile on her lips. "I can no longer tell which one is kicking. They are getting so big."

Both women laughed together, the warm sound filling the quiet room until a soft knock on the door interrupted them.

A young maid entered the room with a polite bow. "Lady Lin, the weather is beautiful outside today. The guards have already prepared the path in the inner garden for you."

Sister Yun nodded in agreement. "His Majesty has already approved another afternoon walk. Let us go before the sun goes down."

Lin Wan slowly stood up from her chair, wrapping a warm white cloak around her shoulders before leaving the room. The palace garden was much quieter than usual.

The thick snow had begun to melt beneath the warm afternoon sun, creating tiny streams of clear water that flowed between the gray stone paths.

Beautiful winter flowers were starting to bloom beside the frozen pond, their bright petals contrasting with the ice. Lin Wan took a deep breath of the fresh air, her eyes brightening. "The wind smells completely different today."

Sister Yun smiled, walking close beside her. "Spring is finally coming to the palace, Lady Lin."

Lin Wan looked up at the high stone walls, a look of fascination in her eyes. "It is strange. Even a cold prison like this place can change with the seasons."

She slowly walked along the wet stone path, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face.

Two young maids and eight heavily armored Shadow Guards followed her at a very respectful distance to keep her protected from any danger.

She suddenly stopped her steps beside a small flowering tree. The branches were covered in tiny, delicate white blossoms.

She reached out her hand carefully, touching a small branch with her fingertips. She admired how the fragile flowers had managed to survive the harsh winter snow.

"They are much stronger than they look," Lin Wan murmured softly. "I wish I could be strong like them."

Sister Yun looked at her with gentle eyes. "You are already very strong, Lady Lin. Do not doubt yourself."

Lin Wan laughed softly, looking down at her rounded stomach. "I do not feel very powerful right now."

Before they could continue their conversation, the sound of firm footsteps approached from the path behind them.

Lin Wan immediately recognized Cassian’s steady walk. The surrounding guards bowed deeply as the King dismissed them with a simple wave of his hand.

Only Sister Yun remained nearby, standing at a respectful distance as Cassian walked up to stand beside Lin Wan. He looked down at her face, his golden eyes scanning her features. "You seem much happier today."

"The nice weather makes a big difference," Lin Wan replied, keeping her voice polite.

A heavy silence settled between them as they stood beneath the flowering tree. Cassian watched a white petal drift to the ground. "The physician told me the babies are very healthy today."

Lin Wan nodded, looking at the tiny blossoms. "Yes. I must thank you for sending him."

Cassian’s eyes softened slightly at her words. "You do not need to thank me. They are my children too, Lin Wan."

Lin Wan lowered her gaze to the stone path, choosing not to answer him. Only the soft sound of flowing water filled the quiet garden for several long moments before Cassian broke the silence again.

"I will be leaving the Citadel tomorrow morning," he announced, his voice turning serious. "There are urgent military matters that require my personal presence on the border."

Lin Wan turned her head toward him in surprise, her heart skipping a beat. She looked toward the dark northern mountains, realizing the truth instantly. "The war is truly coming now, isn’t it?"

"I will do everything in my power to stop the conflict before it reaches these walls," Cassian promised, his voice firm and absolute.

Lin Wan looked at him, her brow furrowing. "Do you still believe this war can be stopped by talking?"

"I have to try," Cassian admitted quietly.

"And what will you do if you fail to stop them?" she asked.

Cassian met her eyes with an intense, unyielding gaze. "Then I will end the war as quickly as possible."

Lin Wan slowly looked away from him, a sad, bitter smile touching her lips. "No one ever ends a war quickly, Cassian. Many people are going to suffer."

She continued walking along the path, and he matched her slow pace. He looked at her profile, his expression serious. "I have a request for you, Lin Wan."

"What is it?" she asked.

"If the fighting begins, you must promise to stay inside the deepest part of the palace," Cassian requested. "Do not attempt to leave your quarters."

Lin Wan smiled bitterly. "I am a prisoner here. I have nowhere else to go anyway."

Cassian frowned, his voice dropping to a low, commanding tone. "That is not a promise. You must promise me that you will not leave."

She stopped walking and looked him directly in the eyes. "What should I do if someone needs my help? Wei Xiang gets hurt in the battle? Am I supposed to just sit here and do nothing?"

Cassian’s jaw tightened instantly, his entire expression freezing at the mention of those two names. The warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, hard glare.

"And what about all the innocent warriors who will die?" Lin Wan continued, her voice trembling slightly.

"You must stay here," Cassian repeated firmly, refusing to discuss the matter further. "Your only duty is to protect yourself and the children."

Lin Wan looked at him with deep disappointment. "You already know me, Cassian. You know I can never make a promise like that."

Cassian let out a quiet, frustrated sigh, but before he could speak, a Shadow Guard suddenly appeared from the trees and knelt quickly on the stone path.

"Your Majesty," the guard reported, his voice tense. "The High Council requests your presence in the grand hall immediately. It concerns the movements of Patriarch Wang."

Cassian’s expression changed instantly, his golden eyes flashing with sudden anger. "Speak. What has happened?"

"The Silver Leopard army has officially reached Black Ice Ridge," the guard reported. "They have stopped their march and made camp there." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "The enemy forces are now only three days away from our outer valley."

The peaceful atmosphere of the garden disappeared in an instant. Lin Wan felt a cold chill run down her spine, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her sleeve.

Cassian looked toward the distant, snowy peaks, his face hardening into a mask of pure determination. "So they have finally arrived." He turned back to Lin Wan, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Go back to your room. Do not leave the inner palace."

Without waiting for her reply, Cassian turned and walked away with rapid steps, the Shadow Guard following close behind him.

Lin Wan did not give him any promise. She quietly watched his dark figure disappear down the path before whispering to herself, "Three days left."

High above the palace garden, hidden among the thick branches of an old pine tree, a small blue bird sat silently. Its tiny, glowing eyes watched Lin Wan for several seconds before it spread its wings and flew silently into the sky, heading back toward the north.

The tiny blue spirit bird crossed the snowy mountains without stopping. It flew over frozen rivers and passed through silent, dark forests with incredible speed. The Silver Leopard Clan had trained these fast, quiet birds for generations, and no wild beast dared to attack them.

By sunset, the small bird finally glided down and landed neatly on a leather glove worn by a guard inside the camp. The guard gasped in relief and hurried toward the warm command tent.

Inside the tent, Wang stood before a large map spread across the wooden table, surrounded by several of his elder advisers. Wei Xiang stood quietly at his right side.

The elders were currently debating the safest route to reach the outer stone walls of the Citadel.

Wei Xiang pointed at the map, his voice calm. "Cassian already knows we are coming. The route we choose does not matter anymore because he will be waiting for us anyway."

The guard entered the tent quickly, bowing deeply as he presented the spirit bird. "Patriarch, a message from the Citadel has arrived."

Wei Xiang stepped forward and carefully removed a tiny jade tube from the bird’s leg.

He unrolled the small paper inside, his eyes scanning the words quickly. His entire expression changed in an instant, his shoulders tensing.

Wang noticed the change immediately. "What is the news, Wei Xiang?"

Wei Xiang handed the paper to the Patriarch, his voice softening. "It is a report from our hidden spies inside the fortress."