Chapter 190
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."
Wang read the words silently, his dark eyes moving across the paper before he folded it carefully. "The physician examined her again today. She and the babies are completely healthy."
Wei Xiang’s shoulders relaxed instantly, and a quiet breath of relief escaped his lips. One of the elderly advisers smiled warmly, bowing his head. "The ancestors are surely protecting the children."
"The report also says she walked in the garden today and was smiling," Wang added.
A faint, genuine smile appeared on Wei Xiang’s face as well, his heart feeling a bit lighter at the news of her happiness. However, Wang kept his eyes on the folded paper, keeping one specific line of the report to himself for a moment.
Wei Xiang noticed his hesitation immediately. "Is there something else, Patriarch? What are you not telling me?"
Wang paused before speaking, his voice level. "Cassian walked with her in the garden today."
The warm atmosphere inside the tent vanished instantly, replaced by a heavy, uncomfortable silence. The elders looked at each other with worried expressions.
"Do you think the Manticore King is forcing her to walk with him?" one elder wondered aloud.
"No," another elder shook his head. "Cassian is a proud king. If he wanted to force her, he would have done so a long time ago. He would not wait until now."
Wang remained perfectly calm, his voice steady. "Cassian is smart enough to know that harming her will gain him nothing. He is trying to win her over."
Wei Xiang clenched his hands into tight fists, his voice turning sharp. "Why is he treating her so well now? He is the one who took her from us."
"Because she is carrying his children as well," Wang explained quietly.
The simple, harsh words landed heavily inside the tent, making Wei Xiang’s heart ache with a sudden, sharp pain. He had accepted the complicated truth of her situation long ago, but hearing it spoken aloud by the Patriarch still hurt him deeply.
Wang walked over and placed a firm, comforting hand on the young Roc’s shoulder. "Do not let your mind waver now, Wei Xiang. We are going to bring her home, no matter what."
Outside the command tent, the soldiers continued preparing for tomorrow’s difficult march. The sound of metal scraping against stone filled the air as they sharpened their swords and repaired their leather armor.
Wei Xiang stepped outside the tent alone, walking away from the noise to look toward the dark northern horizon. The cold wind ruffled his hair as he stood in silence.
Elder Mu walked over slowly, his steps quiet in the deep snow. "You are thinking about her again, aren’t you, young commander?"
Wei Xiang smiled awkwardly, not looking back. "I cannot help it, Elder Mu. Every time I close my eyes, I see her face."
The old leopard beastman nodded, a look of pride in his eyes. "You have changed a great deal since we first left the Lower Realm, Wei Xiang. You have become much calmer and more thoughtful compared to your past reckless behavior."
Wei Xiang agreed, letting out a soft sigh. "I used to think that raw strength was the only thing that mattered in this world. But now I realize that it takes patience, wisdom, and responsibility to truly protect the people you love."
The elder nodded proudly. "You are becoming a true leader, worthy of standing beside a Patriarch."
"I do not care about being a great leader," Wei Xiang clarified softly, his eyes focusing on the distant mountains. "I only want to be strong enough to stand beside Lin Wan."
Night slowly fell over the frozen mountains, covering the world in a quiet, dark blanket.
Inside the Supreme Citadel, Lin Wan sat quietly beside her bedroom window, watching the soft moonlight reflect off the snow.
She wrapped a thick woolen blanket tightly around her shoulders to keep out the chill.
She rested her hand gently over her stomach, letting out a soft laugh as the babies kicked in response to her touch.
"You are very active tonight," she whispered.
Her smile slowly faded as she stared at the bright moon. "I wonder... will we meet your other fathers soon?"
She closed her eyes, whispering the names of Wang and Wei Xiang into the quiet, empty room. She sent a silent prayer into the night, hoping with all her heart that both of them were safe and warm.
Just then, a strange, gentle warmth suddenly spread through her stomach, feeling like a soft, comforting embrace before disappearing quickly. Lin Wan frowned slightly, opening her eyes in confusion.
"Was that you, little ones?" she asked.
But the babies had become completely quiet again, as if they were fast asleep.
Outside her heavy wooden door, hidden in the deep darkness of the stone corridor,
Cassian stood silently. He had come to check on her one last time before his departure tomorrow. But after hearing her whisper those two names, he quietly turned around and walked away into the dark.
————
The next morning, the Supreme Citadel was unusually quiet. No soldiers shouted orders, and no loud horns echoed through the cold mountains. Only the steady, rhythmic footsteps of the guards patrolling the stone corridors could be heard.
Lin Wan had just finished her breakfast when Sister Yun entered the room with a warm smile.
"The weather is much warmer today," the older woman noted, opening the heavy curtains. "It seems spring is arriving much earlier than we expected."
Lin Wan smiled faintly, looking out the window. "Yes, I noticed the snow is already starting to melt on the sill."
"Would you like to walk outside in the garden again?" Sister Yun asked.
Lin Wan gently rubbed her rounded stomach. "I think the babies would love that. They have been very restless since last night."
Sister Yun laughed softly. "They are probably tired of staying indoors all the time. Let us get your cloak."
Lin Wan stood up carefully. "We shouldn’t keep them waiting then."
The palace garden looked completely different from the day before. Thin streams of clear water flowed beneath the small stone bridges, and little birds perched on the green pine branches, singing softly.
The cold mountain wind no longer bit against her skin as Lin Wan slowly walked along the familiar path. The Shadow Guards followed at a respectful distance, while Sister Yun remained right by her side.
Lin Wan suddenly stopped near the frozen pond, staring quietly at the small cracks that had begun spreading across the surface of the ice.
"The pond will not be frozen for much longer," Lin Wan noted.
"Everything changes with time, My Lady," Sister Yun agreed gently.
Lin Wan smiled sadly, her voice dropping. "I hope that is true."
Before Sister Yun could answer, the sound of hurried footsteps approached them. A young palace maid bowed deeply before Lin Wan.
"Lady Lin, the royal tailor has arrived at your chambers," the maid announced. "He is here to prepare new clothes for you and the babies, on direct orders from His Majesty."
Lin Wan lowered her eyes in surprise. "I did not expect him to arrive so soon."
Half an hour later, several palace servants entered Lin Wan’s chamber. They carried beautiful, folded silk in shades of bright blue, soft white, and pale gold. Every piece of fabric looked incredibly delicate. An elderly tailor bowed politely to her.
"I hope I am not disturbing your rest, Lady Lin," the old man said gently.
Lin Wan smiled politely and welcomed him inside. "Not at all. Please, come in."
The tailor carefully spread a tiny, beautifully sewn robe across the table. "I have prepared several sample designs for you to choose from today."
Lin Wan stared at the tiny clothes, amazed by how unbelievably small they were. She reached out and her fingers gently touched a soft sleeve.
"They are so tiny," Lin Wan whispered. "I have never prepared clothes for babies before."
The tailor smiled warmly. "Newborn cubs grow very quickly, my lady. Do not worry, you will learn everything in time."
He picked up a blue piece of clothing. "This one is for the young prince." He then placed two other delicate robes beside it. "And these two are for the young princesses."
Lin Wan’s smile widened as she looked at them. "They are absolutely beautiful."
"I promise to make even better ones before the babies are born," the old tailor said with a bow.
"Thank you," Lin Wan said gratefully.
As the tailor continued to explain the different fabrics, Lin Wan noticed a specific detail on the sleeves. "Do all of these designs have to carry the royal crest?"
The tailor hesitated for a moment, looking slightly nervous. "His Majesty personally requested that the royal symbol be sewn onto every piece of clothing, my lady."
Lin Wan fell silent, looking down at the tiny robes. She felt a small pang of sadness, but she could not bring herself to refuse the clothes after seeing the immense care that had gone into making them.