I Got Cheated On and Ended Up in A Beast World

The next morning arrived quietly. For the first time in several days, no war horn echoed through the cold mountain passes. The silence should have been comforting, but instead, it made everyone feel even more uneasy.

Inside the Supreme Citadel, Lin Wan had just finished her morning meal when Royal Physician Cai Wen entered the private chambers, carrying his wooden medicine box. Sister Yun immediately stepped aside with a polite nod. "Physician Cai."

The elderly man smiled warmly. "Lady Lin."

Lin Wan returned the smile genuinely. "You have become quite a regular guest here."

Cai Wen laughed softly, his eyes crinkling. "His Majesty would certainly disagree. He insists I am here because I do not visit enough."

Lin Wan could not help laughing. "That certainly sounds like him."

The old physician gently sat on the wooden chair across from her. "May I?"

Lin Wan extended her wrist without hesitation. He carefully placed his fingers over her skin, checking her pulse with practiced stillness.

The room grew completely quiet, with Lian watching anxiously from the corner.

After a short while, Cai Wen nodded with deep satisfaction. "The three little ones are growing exceptionally well."

Lin Wan let out the breath she had been holding. "So they are alright?"

"They are even stronger than yesterday," he reassured her warmly. "Though I believe they are already giving their mother quite a bit of trouble."

Lin Wan looked down at her stomach, gently stroking it. "They have been kicking all morning."

Cai Wen chuckled, packing away his tools. "That is a wonderful sign—it means they are active. Continue walking every day as you have been, but do not stay outside in the cold for too long."

Lin Wan nodded obediently. "I understand."

The physician stood to take his leave, but stopped right at the threshold. "Lady Lin."

"Yes?

"If your lower back begins aching more frequently, or if the children move significantly less," he instructed seriously, "notify Sister Yun immediately."

"I will," she promised.

He bowed respectfully before quietly taking his exit. As soon as the heavy door clicked shut, Lian hurried over to her side. "I really like Physician Cai."

Lin Wan smiled faintly. "So do I. He speaks like a kind grandfather."

Sister Yun chimed in with a gentle nod. "He has delivered almost every royal child born inside these walls. He has faithfully served three generations of the royal line."

Lin Wan blinked in surprise. "Really? No wonder everyone trusts him so completely."

Later that morning, the palace garden was unusually lively. Several gardeners were hard at work replacing flower beds that had been damaged by the recent heavy snowfall.

Lin Wan walked slowly along the stone path with Sister Yun at her side, while Captain Darius and his Shadow Guards maintained a respectful distance behind them.

As they passed one of the frozen ponds, Lin Wan suddenly paused. The thick ice covering the surface had almost completely melted away, revealing small fish swimming lively beneath the clear water.

She smiled warmly at the sight. "They survived the winter."

An old gardener nearby overheard her and chuckled softly. "They always do, Lady Lin. They simply wait it out."

Lin Wan watched the quick movements of the fish. "I wish people could wait that patiently."

"People worry far too much," the old gardener remarked, shaking his head.

"They certainly do," Sister Yun agreed.

At that moment, Captain Darius stepped forward, interrupting politely. "Lady Lin."

She turned around. "Yes, Captain?"

"His Majesty has ordered the western garden opened specifically for you."

Lin Wan looked thoroughly surprised. "The western garden?"

Sister Yun’s eyes widened slightly in realization. "That garden has been locked and closed off for years."

Darius nodded calmly. "It was fully restored recently."

Lin Wan looked at him with clear confusion. "Why?"

"The order did not specify a reason, my lady."

After a short pause, she nodded. "I would like to see it."

The small procession slowly changed direction. The western garden proved to be far quieter than the central grounds. Tall green bamboo shoots lined the narrow stone pathways, and a small, clear stream flowed gently beneath an ancient wooden bridge. The entire area felt serene, almost completely forgotten by the bustling palace outside.

Lin Wan walked slowly across the wooden bridge, listening to the soothing sound of the rushing water. "It is beautiful here."

Sister Yun smiled warmly at the memory. "I used to come here often when I was much younger."

"You did?"

"Yes, before His Majesty took the throne as King."

Lin Wan looked at her with genuine curiosity. "What was he like back then?"

Sister Yun laughed quietly. "He was much quieter."

"I thought he was already as quiet as a person could be," Lin Wan remarked dryly.

"He smiled more," Sister Yun added gently.

Lin Wan looked genuinely astonished. "He smiled?"

"Believe it or not... he actually did."

Even Captain Darius, standing nearby, could not stop a small, subtle smile from forming on his face. Lin Wan looked back and forth between them, shaking her head. "I genuinely cannot picture it."

The three shared a brief, lighthearted laugh. For a few precious moments, the heavy atmosphere of the palace faded away. There were no marching armies, no looming war, and no heavy titles—only ordinary, peaceful conversation.

Suddenly, a Shadow Guard approached Darius, leaning in to whisper an urgent message into the captain’s ear. Darius’s relaxed demeanor vanished in an instant, his posture snapping straight and sharp.

Lin Wan noticed the sudden shift immediately. "What happened?"

Darius composed his features quickly. "It is nothing important, my lady."

She looked at him, completely unconvinced. "You have just proven that it *is* important."

Darius hesitated under her sharp gaze, while Sister Yun watched him silently. Finally, he bowed his head. "Lady Lin, I have been ordered to escort you back to your residence immediately."

Lin Wan frowned slightly. "So suddenly?"

"I am afraid so."

She glanced at Sister Yun, who gave a subtle, reassuring nod. "We should return, Lady Lin."

Lin Wan sighed softly, accepting it. "Alright."

As they turned back toward the main living quarters, none of them noticed high above the Citadel, where a lone hawk circled once in the grey sky before disappearing into the thick, distant clouds.

The training ground slowly grew quiet as the soldiers filed out. Wooden practice swords were stacked neatly against the stone walls, and the cold evening wind swept away the lingering dust from the sparring field.

Wei Xiang stood near the center of the yard, wiping a thin sheen of sweat from his brow. Captain Ren walked over, bowing respectfully. "Commander."

Wei Xiang looked over. "What is it?"

"The King has issued another summons for you."

Wei Xiang’s brow furrowed. "So soon?"

Captain Ren nodded seriously. "In the royal meeting hall. He specified that you are to come immediately."

Wei Xiang turned his gaze toward the looming palace towering over the Citadel. "...I understand."

Captain Ren hesitated for a moment. "Commander..."

Noticing the pause, Wei Xiang asked, "Speak freely."

"The King’s expression... did not look particularly good."

A faint, wry smile touched Wei Xiang’s face. "When has His Majesty ever looked happy?"

Captain Ren could not help but chuckle. "That is fair."

Wei Xiang adjusted his heavy cloak over his shoulders. "Continue supervising the evening patrol. I will return shortly."

"Yes, Commander."

Inside the main palace, Cassian stood before an enormous map spanning an entire wall. General Borin, Commander Hale, Adviser Rowan, and Physician Selene were already present, waiting in tense silence. Everyone understood the weight of the gathering.

A Shadow Guard stepped into the room. "Your Majesty."

Cassian did not turn around from the wall. "Has he arrived?"

"Commander Wei Xiang is here, sire."

"Let him enter."

A moment later, Wei Xiang walked inside, performing a standard bow. "Cassian."

Cassian finally turned around, his sharp golden eyes resting heavily on Wei Xiang for a long moment. "You have recovered remarkably well."

Wei Xiang offered a simple response. "Enough to fight, if necessary."

Cassian answered in a measured, quiet voice. "I hope it does not come to that."

The sentence caught everyone off guard. Even Wei Xiang blinked in slight surprise; it was rare to hear the Manticore King speak with such restraint.

Cassian gestured toward the detailed map. "Come closer."

Wei Xiang stepped up to the table. The detailed map displayed every mountain peak, narrow pass, river, and fortress surrounding the Supreme Citadel. Red stones marked Wang’s currently deployed positions, while blue stones represented the Citadel’s defensive lines.

Cassian picked up one of the red stones. "Wang has halted his forces here, near Frost Ridge. He is not advancing further."

Wei Xiang examined the layout carefully. "He knows."

Cassian nodded once. "He knows we are waiting for him."

General Borin folded his broad arms over his chest. "So neither side wishes to make the first move."

"No," Cassian said calmly. "Because whichever side attacks first will completely forfeit their tactical advantage."

Wei Xiang studied the map in deep thought. "The natural terrain works entirely against him."