I Got Cheated On and Ended Up in A Beast World

Lin Wan crouched slightly, accepting it gently. "It is beautiful. Thank you, I will treasure it—"

Before she could finish her sentence, a sudden, piercing gust of icy wind swept across the open courtyard.

The warmth faded instantly from Wei Xiang’s face. His eyes snapped toward the northern mountains, his body tense.

Someone had just breached the outer defensive array of the Supreme Citadel.

The cold wind swept through the courtyard. The little snow rabbit in Lin Wan’s hands almost slipped from her fingers. She quickly caught it and looked up, her pulse quickening.

"What happened?"

The children stopped playing. Even the servants turned toward the northern sky.

Wei Xiang’s smile disappeared completely. His sharp eyes remained fixed on the distant mountains. Captain Ren immediately stepped forward.

"Commander?"

Wei Xiang spoke without looking away. "Take Lady Lin back."

Lin Wan frowned, taking a step toward him. "What is it?"

"We’re not sure yet. It could be nothing."

She knew he was lying. "If it’s nothing, why are you sending me back?"

Wei Xiang looked at her, his posture tight. "I’ll explain later, I promise."

Lin Wan opened her mouth to argue. Before she could speak, Sister Yun gently touched her arm. "Lady Lin."

Lin Wan looked at the older woman.

"Let’s return first."

Lin Wan sighed quietly, her shoulders dropping. "...Alright."

She knew this wasn’t the place to insist. Wei Xiang relaxed slightly. "Thank you."

Captain Ren signaled several guards, and the hidden Shadow Guards immediately materialized around the small group.

Lin Wan looked around at the sudden crowd. "So many again."

Wei Xiang smiled apologetically. "Only until we know what’s happening."

She nodded. "I understand."

Before leaving, she looked at him, her dark eyes filled with concern. "...Be careful."

Wei Xiang’s expression softened. "I will."

She hesitated. Then she smiled faintly. "You promised."

"I did."

Only after hearing that answer did Lin Wan finally turn around. She walked back toward the palace with Sister Yun, Physician Selene, and the guards surrounding her.

Wei Xiang watched until her silhouette disappeared behind the stone corridor. Only then did he become serious again. "Captain Ren."

"Commander."

"Report."

Captain Ren looked toward the northern wall. "Our outer formations reacted."

"How many?"

"Only once."

Wei Xiang frowned. "So someone touched the barrier."..."

"Yes."

Commander Hale hurried over at that moment. "The King has already gone over to the northern wall."

Wei Xiang nodded. "Let’s go."

The three men immediately rushed toward the fortress walls.

At the northern gate, hundreds of soldiers were already standing in formation. The atmosphere was taut. Nobody spoke loudly.

Cassian stood on the highest platform, overlooking the endless white plains.

General Borin stood beside him. A Shadow Guard knelt before them.

"Report again."

"The outer formation activated for only a few breaths."

Cassian asked calmly, "Was there an attack?"

"No, Your Majesty."

"Any damage?"

"None."

General Borin frowned. "Then why did the formation react?"

The guard lowered his head. "We believe... someone deliberately touched the barrier."

Cassian narrowed his golden eyes. "To test it?"

"That is our assumption."

At that moment, Wei Xiang arrived and bowed briefly. "Your Majesty."

Cassian looked at him. "Lady Lin?"

"She’s safely back in the palace."

Cassian nodded once. "Good."

Wei Xiang stepped closer. "What happened?"

General Borin answered, "The barrier was tested."

Wei Xiang immediately understood. "...Scouts."

Cassian agreed. "They’re measuring our response."

Commander Hale unfolded another map. "Our own scouts traced the disturbance." He pointed toward a narrow ridge. "It happened here."

Wei Xiang studied it carefully. "...Too far."

Cassian looked at him. "What are you thinking?"

Wei Xiang crossed his arms. "If Wang wanted to attack, he wouldn’t waste time testing barriers."

General Borin nodded slowly. "True."

Wei Xiang continued, "This feels like someone else is trying to startle us."

Cassian remained silent, his golden eyes resting on the distant mountains. "...Keep watching. No one leaves the Citadel. Not even our patrols."

Commander Hale bowed. "Understood."

Far outside the Supreme Citadel, deep within the snowy forest, several figures dressed in white quietly knelt on one knee.

Their leader touched the frozen ground. "The formation is stronger than expected."

Another masked figure asked, "What now?"

The leader stood. "We’ve done more than enough." He looked toward the distant Citadel hidden among the mountains. "Return. No unnecessary fighting."

The others nodded. "As you command."

Within seconds, the entire group disappeared into the thick forest as silently as they had arrived.

Several hours later, inside the Silver Leopard camp, Wei Xiang’s trusted scout, Koro, hurried into the command tent.

"Patriarch."

Wang looked up from the map spread across the table. "What is it?"

Koro bowed. "Our scouts observed unusual movement near the Supreme Citadel."

Wei Xiang—or rather, the Silver Leopard officers who maintained contact with their intelligence network—listened carefully as Koro continued. "The Citadel strengthened its northern defenses."

One elder frowned. "Did they discover us?"

Koro shook his head. "We don’t think so. They reacted to something else."

Wang remained thoughtful. "What else did our scouts report?"

Koro answered honestly, "They couldn’t get close enough. The patrols increased. The defensive formations remain active."

Silence settled over the tent. Finally, Wang rolled up the map. "We continue as planned. No changes."

The elders nodded. "As you command."

Outside the command tent, a young soldier quietly overheard one of the officers remarking on the situation, quietly remarking to himself that their leaders were truly committed to protecting what mattered most. It seemed everyone was holding their breath for the woman inside the palace.

Evening settled quietly over the Supreme Citadel. Snow continued falling without pause, covering the palace roofs in another layer of white.

Inside Lin Wan’s courtyard, warm lanterns glowed beneath the wooden eaves. Lin Wan sat beside the window with a thick blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

The small snow rabbit the little girl had given her rested carefully on the stone table. She looked at it for a long time.

Sister Yun entered carrying a tray. "I brought your dinner."

Lin Wan looked up and smiled. "Thank you."

The older woman placed the bowls on the table. "There is chicken soup tonight. And fresh vegetables."

Lin Wan slowly walked over. "The kitchen has been working harder these days."

Sister Yun laughed softly. "They’re afraid Physician Selene will scold them if your meals aren’t perfect."

Lin Wan smiled. "I think Physician Selene scares everyone."

"Even General Borin avoids arguing with her," Sister Yun chuckled.

Lin Wan laughed quietly. "I believe that."

She sat down and picked up her spoon. After taking a few bites, she looked around the room. "...Where is Wei Xiang?"

Sister Yun paused. "He was called away."

"I know." Lin Wan lowered her eyes. "I just wondered if he was alright."

Sister Yun smiled gently. "He’ll be fine. He always returns."

Lin Wan nodded quietly. "I hope so."

...

At the northern wall, torches burned brightly against the darkness. Wei Xiang stood beside Commander Hale while soldiers changed shifts along the battlements.

Captain Ren returned from another inspection. "Commander."

Wei Xiang turned. "Report."

"The formations are stable. No further disturbances."

Commander Hale folded his arms. "Perhaps it really was only someone testing our defenses."

Wei Xiang remained thoughtful. "...Perhaps."

Captain Ren looked toward the endless darkness beyond the mountains. "I don’t like it."

Wei Xiang nodded. "Neither do I."

Before anyone could continue, a soldier hurried over. "Commander!"

Wei Xiang looked at him. "What is it?"

"The King requests your presence."

Wei Xiang sighed quietly. "I’ll go."

Cassian’s study was brightly lit. Books and military reports covered the long wooden table. Cassian stood near the window with his hands behind his back.

A knock sounded. "Enter."

Wei Xiang stepped inside. "You wanted to see me?"

Cassian nodded. "Sit."

Wei Xiang raised an eyebrow. "...This feels a little serious."

"It is."

The two men sat across from each other. For several moments, neither spoke. Finally, Cassian broke the silence.

"How was she today?"

Wei Xiang looked slightly surprised. "WanWan?

"Yes."

Wei Xiang thought back to the afternoon. "She laughed a lot today, more relaxed too."

Cassian waited.

"She spoke with the servants. She thanked the little girl who gave her the snow rabbit. And..." A small smile appeared on Wei Xiang’s face. "She asked why children enjoy playing in the snow."

Cassian listened quietly.

Wei Xiang continued, "She had said snow makes everything look peaceful."

Cassian lowered his eyes. "...Peaceful."

Wei Xiang nodded. "You know she doesn’t like war."

"I know."

Another silence filled the room. Then Cassian asked, "Did she mention Wang?"

Wei Xiang shook his head. "No. Not once."

Cassian looked out the window again. "And... did she ask about leaving?"

Wei Xiang answered honestly, "She said she wants to go home."

Cassian’s fingers tightened slightly behind his back. "I expected that."

Wei Xiang hesitated. Then he quietly asked, "...May I ask Your Majesty something?"

Cassian looked at him. "Ask."

Wei Xiang spoke carefully. "If this war never happens... what do you intend to do?"

Cassian didn’t answer immediately. The room became completely silent; even the fire in the corner crackled softly.