I Got Cheated On and Ended Up in A Beast World

Commander Hale pointed to a narrow valley pass on the board. "If he attempts to push through here, we can bottle his army up and trap them entirely."

Physician Selene frowned, her voice soft. "And thousands of lives will be lost in the process."

A solemn silence filled the room. Cassian turned his focus directly onto Wei Xiang. "If you were in Wang’s position... what would your next move be?"

Wei Xiang did not offer a hasty reply. He stared intently at the layout for almost a full minute before speaking. "I would not launch an attack."

General Borin frowned deeply. "He marched his entire host all this way, only to stop completely?"

Wei Xiang nodded firmly. "Yes."

"Why?"

"Because Wang did not march here to conquer territory or claim a kingdom," Wei Xiang explained directly. "He came for a single person."

The meeting hall fell completely quiet again.

Wei Xiang continued, "If launching an assault risks collateral damage that could harm her, he will not give the order to attack."

Commander Hale nodded slowly in agreement. "...That sounds like his character."

Cassian did not dispute the assessment. Instead, he calmly placed another stone onto the strategic layout. "And if I refuse to release her?"

Wei Xiang met his gaze without flinching. "Then he will simply wait. One month, three months, half a year... if necessary, he will hold his position outside indefinitely."

General Borin let out a gruff laugh. "That is absurd. No army can sustain an field encampment indefinitely."

Wei Xiang turned to the General. "Most armies cannot. But Wang’s forces can. He has the full backing of his clan, deep supply routes, and abundant resources. Every day this standoff drags on, our own local supplies drain further."

No one countered his logic, because every word was true.

Cassian slowly folded his hands behind his back. "So... you truly believe this war will not break out."

Wei Xiang nodded once. "I believe neither side wants to bear the cost of initiating it. They are simply waiting."

Cassian turned his head toward the frosted windows, looking out at the snow-capped peaks. "...Waiting for Lin Wan."

The mention of her name brought another heavy stillness to the chamber.

After a quiet moment, Commander Hale cleared his throat to shift topics. "There is another matter to report, Your Majesty."

Cassian looked back. "Speak."

"It concerns the Lady."

"What about her?"

Commander Hale hesitated slightly before continuing. "The palace servants report that Lady Lin has been asking several questions regarding the outer city."

Wei Xiang’s brow furrowed. "The outer city?"

Commander Hale nodded. "She expressed curiosity about how ordinary citizens live their daily lives."

Physician Selene smiled softly at the mention. "She asked one of my medical assistants whether the local children play out in the streets during the winter months."

General Borin chuckled gruffly. "That is... quite unexpected."

Cassian remained entirely unreadable. "What else?"

Commander Hale referred to his parchment. "She also inquired whether the market stalls sell sweet pastries during the annual snow festival."

A genuine, irrepressible smile crossed Wei Xiang’s face. "...That is entirely like her."

Cassian caught the shift in expression immediately. "You seem amused."

Wei Xiang answered frankly. "She has always possessed an endless curiosity about the world around her. No matter where she finds herself, if she encounters something unfamiliar, she wants to understand everything about it."

Physician Selene agreed, nodding warmly. "I observed the same trait yesterday. When I was explaining the properties of various medical herbs to her, she listened intently for nearly an hour."

Cassian said nothing, staring quietly at the floor as if imagining the scene unfolding.

General Borin spoke up unexpectedly. "Your Majesty... if she genuinely wishes to see the city, perhaps we ought to consider allowing her a brief visit."

Commander Hale looked thoroughly alarmed. "General! What if an escape attempt occurs?"

General Borin shrugged carelessly. "She will not attempt anything. We would have hundreds of elite guards securing the perimeter."

Commander Hale remained unconvinced. "It poses an unnecessary risk."

Physician Selene looked toward Cassian. "Confining her completely inside the palace walls indefinitely is not healthy for her well-being either, sire. She has grown much calmer, but she remains quite isolated."

The room grew quiet once more as everyone awaited the King’s stance.

Wei Xiang finally broke the silence. "If she is permitted to step outside, I will accompany her personally."

Cassian fixed his golden eyes on him. "You?"

Wei Xiang nodded steadily. "I gave her my personal word that I would ensure her safety."

Cassian maintained the eye contact for several long seconds, weighing the decision. Then, he spoke evenly. "...Very well."

The room erupted in subtle shock. General Borin blinked in disbelief. "Your Majesty agrees to this?"

Cassian ignored the reaction entirely, establishing strict parameters. "It will not be the outer city—not yet. She may visit the inner district only: the royal gardens, the upper temple, and the central training square. No further."

Commander Hale bowed sharply. "I will organize the security details immediately."

"Triple the guard roster," Cassian commanded coldly.

Wei Xiang let out a helpless sigh. "She will feel as though she is simply walking inside another set of walls."

Cassian answered without a second of hesitation. "I would prefer she feel surrounded by walls than risk another abduction."

Wei Xiang could not argue with the point, recognizing the practical truth behind it.

The strategy council slowly concluded, and the attendants began filing out of the grand hall one by one. General Borin departed first, followed closely by Commander Hale. Physician Selene offered a polite bow before taking her leave.

Soon, only Cassian and Wei Xiang remained standing in the vast, empty hall. Neither man spoke, letting the heavy silence stretch out between them.

Finally, Cassian broke the quiet. "Wei Xiang."

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

Cassian kept his golden eyes fixed on the distant, snow-covered mountains outside the high windows. "...When she smiles now... does she smile the same way she used to?"

This random question caught Wei Xiang completely off guard. He looked at the King silently, taking in the rare trace of vulnerability in his posture.

Then, a quiet, knowing smile touched Wei Xiang’s own face. "No."

Cassian turned his head slowly. "No?"

Wei Xiang shook his head gently. "Not yet. But... I believe she is getting there."

Cassian lowered his eyes slightly, taking in the answer without another word.

Far away in a quiet wing of the palace, Lin Wan sat peacefully by an open stone window, resting one hand gently over her rounded belly.

Without a sound, a small black cat leaped gracefully onto the wooden windowsill. It sat upright, staring at her with bright, intelligent eyes.

Lin Wan offered a soft, tender smile. "You have come to visit again."

The black cat blinked once, then carefully settled down, curling itself into a warm ball right beside her on the ledge.

Outside, soft white snow continued to drift down peacefully over the Supreme Citadel.

The next morning arrived quietly. Snowflakes drifted lazily from the overcast gray sky, dusting the roofs of the Supreme Citadel with a fresh layer of white. Inside Lin Wan’s courtyard, several maids were already busy preparing warm water and breakfast.

A soft knock sounded at the door. "Lady Lin."

Lin Wan was already awake. "Come in."

The door opened to reveal Sister Yun entering first, followed by Physician Selene carrying her wooden medicine box.

Lin Wan smiled warmly. "Physician Selene."

"I came to check on you before breakfast," Selene returned the smile.

Lin Wan nodded obediently. "Please."

Selene sat beside her and gently placed two fingers over Lin Wan’s wrist. The room grew still. After a moment, Selene smiled reassuringly. "The babies are doing exceptionally well."

Lin Wan looked down at her stomach. "They are healthy?"

"Very," Selene confirmed with a confident nod. "They are significantly stronger than last week."

Sister Yun laughed softly. "I told you there was nothing to worry about."

Lin Wan let out a small, relieved breath. "I know... but I still worry."

Selene chuckled warmly. "That is simply what mothers do."

"I haven’t even met them yet," Lin Wan admitted shyly. "But I worry every single day."

The older women exchanged affectionate smiles. After closing her medicine box, Selene looked up. "I also have another piece of news."

"What is it?"

"The King approved another walk for you today."

Lin Wan’s eyes brightened. "Really?"

"Yes, though with conditions, as expected," Selene added.

Lin Wan sighed playfully. "I expected as much.

Sister Yun laughed. "You sound disappointed already!"

"I know there will be a heavy guard presence," Lin Wan said, puffing her cheeks slightly.

"There will be," Selene admitted honestly. "And Commander Wei Xiang will be accompanying you personally."

Hearing that name, Lin Wan’s smile grew much more natural and expressive. "He’s coming?"

He is?." Lin Wan asked, her mood visibly lifting.

Sister Yun teased softly, "You seem much happier after hearing his name."

Lin Wan blinked. "I do?"

"You certainly do."

The younger maids quietly covered their mouths to hide their giggles, and Lin Wan’s ears flushed a bright red. "We are just friends."