Chapter 203
Finally, Cassian spoke. "I don’t know."
Wei Xiang blinked. It was probably the first time he had ever heard Cassian admit uncertainty.
Cassian continued calmly, "I know forcing her to stay won’t make her happy. But letting her leave..."
He stopped speaking.
Wei Xiang finished the sentence for him. "...Means losing her."
Cassian slowly nodded. "Yes."
Neither man spoke after that. There simply wasn’t an easy answer.
Elsewhere, deep inside another section of the palace, Physician Selene carefully packed away several bottles of medicine.
A young palace maid entered. "Physician Selene."
Selene looked up. "What is it, Lian?
"The herbs you requested have arrived."
"Good."
The young maid hesitated. "May I ask something, Ma Selene?"
Selene smiled. "You may."
"Is Lady Lin really doing well?"
Selene’s expression softened. "She is. The babies are growing exactly as they should."
The maid smiled with relief. "I’m happy to hear that."
Selene nodded. "So am I." She gently closed the medicine chest. "But the coming weeks will become harder. The babies are growing quickly. We’ll need to watch her even more carefully."
Lian nodded seriously. "I’ll remember."
Late that night, Lin Wan couldn’t sleep. She slowly walked onto the small balcony outside her room, wrapping her thick cloak tighter around herself as snowflakes landed softly on the wooden railing.
"So quiet..." she whispered to herself.
Far away, the lights of the northern wall flickered like tiny stars. She wondered whether Wei Xiang was still awake, whether Wang was somewhere beyond those mountains, and whether this strange peace could truly last.
Without thinking, she gently placed one hand over her stomach. The babies shifted, and a tiny kick made her smile.
"I know..." she whispered into the cold night. "I’ll protect all of you."
Behind her, hidden in the shadows of the balcony roof, a pair of golden eyes silently watched her for a brief moment. Then, without making a sound, Cassian turned and disappeared into the darkness before Lin Wan ever realized he had been there.
## Clear Skies over the Citadel
Morning arrived with clear skies for the first time in days, golden sunlight reflecting off the fresh snow and making the Supreme Citadel gleam.
Inside Lin Wan’s courtyard, the maids had already opened the windows to let in the crisp mountain air. Lin Wan sat by the table while Sister Yun gently brushed her long hair.
"You seem happier today," Sister Yun noted warmly.
Lin Wan smiled at her reflection in the mirror. "I slept well."
"The babies didn’t trouble you?" Sister Yun asked happily, feeling proud that the little cubs were behaving.
Lin Wan laughed softly, happyily breaking the older woman’s heart. "They did! They kept kicking, but somehow... I still managed to sleep through it."
A gentle knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Lin Wan called out.
Physician Selene entered with her usual serene posture. "Good morning. You look much better today, My Lady."
"I feel better too."
"Let’s keep it that way," Selene smiled, sitting across from her and checking her pulse. "Any dizziness or sharp pain?"
"No," Lin Wan replied. "Only when they kick a bit too hard."
Selene laughed quietly. "That will happen more often now as they grow."
Lin Wan let out a dramatic sigh. "They’re already bullying me."
"They’re simply letting their mother know how strong they are," Sister Yun chimed in with a chuckle.
"I think they’re *too* strong," Lin Wan teased, drawing warm laughter from the room.
After finishing the checkup, Selene nodded in satisfaction. "Everything is perfectly normal. You are cleared for another short walk today, but do not push your limits."
"I won’t," Lin Wan promised.
"Commander Wei Xiang should be arriving shortly," Selene added as she packed away her tools.
As if summoned by her words, another knock sounded at the door. Sister Yun offered a knowing smile as Lin Wan called for him to enter.
Wei Xiang stepped inside wearing simple, dark robes instead of his usual heavy armor. The broadsword normally strapped to his waist was missing.
Lin Wan blinked in surprise. "No armor today?"
Wei Xiang smiled easily. "I am off duty this morning."
"You actually rest?"
"On occasion."
"I don’t believe you," she said lightheartedly.
Wei Xiang laughed, rubbing the back of his neck as Selene chimed in, "It is true, my lady. The Commander has worked almost every day this month."
"Lady Selene... you didn’t have to expose me," Wei Xiang muttered with a wry grin.
Lin Wan folded her arms playfully. "So you’re finally listening when people tell you to rest?"
"I was ordered to."
"By whom?"
"His Majesty," Wei Xiang admitted. "He said I looked tired."
Lin Wan paused, genuinely surprised. "Cassian said that?"
Wei Xiang nodded, and Lin Wan smiled faintly. "...He isn’t wrong."
Wei Xiang let out a theatrical sigh. "Not you too."
A short while later, the four of them walked slowly through one of the quieter, secluded palace gardens. Only Captain Ren and four hidden Shadow Guards maintained a respectful distance behind them.
"There really are fewer visible guards today," Lin Wan voiced her observation, looking around the serene paths.
"I kept my promise," Wei Xiang said.
"Thank you," she replied genuinely.
They reached a small wooden bridge spanning a narrow stream. Though snow blanketed the banks, clear water flowed steadily beneath thin layers of ice.
"I haven’t seen this part of the palace before," Lin Wan murmured, leaning against the railing.
"It wasn’t open previously," Wei Xiang said. "I asked His Majesty to permit access."
Lin Wan looked at him. "And Cassian agreed?"
"Eventually."
She looked down at the moving water. "...He really is changing."
Wei Xiang offered no direct reply, remaining neutral.
"Does he still spend all day working?" she asked softly.
"For the most part," Wei Xiang answered. "He barely sleeps."
Lin Wan frowned slightly. "That isn’t healthy. He can’t keep doing that forever."
Wei Xiang smiled amusedly. "You sound like Physician Selene."
"I mean it," she insisted.
"I’ll be sure to tell him you said so."
Lin Wan’s eyes widened, her cheeks flushing slightly. "No! Don’t tell him that!"
"Why not?"
"It would sound awkward... you’ll make it sound like I was overly concerned."
Wei Xiang chuckled, unable to resist teasing her. "I probably will."
"I knew it," she nudged his arm lightly. "You’re doing it on purpose."
Before Wei Xiang could reply, Captain Ren stepped forward, bowing politely. "Commander."
"What is it, Ren!?"
"The supply convoy from the western storehouses has arrived safely," Ren reported. He then hesitated before lowering his voice. "There is another matter. Twenty-three soldiers have formally requested brief leave to visit their families in the inner districts before the full campaign maneuvers begin."
Wei Xiang’s playful expression vanished, replaced by a thoughtful solemnity. "Can their patrol positions be adequately covered?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then approve the requests."
Captain Ren blinked in surprise. "Without clearance from His Majesty first?"
Wei Xiang gave a faint, reassuring smile. "I will handle the explanation to the King."
"Understood, Commander."
As Ren departed, Lin Wan looked up at Wei Xiang. "You’re letting them go home."
"They may not get another opportunity," Wei Xiang stated quietly.
Lin Wan looked down at her hands. "...Their families must miss them deeply."
"They do," he agreed. "And the men miss them just as much."
Silence settled over the bridge until Lin Wan softly whispered, "I hope they all come back safely."
Wei Xiang looked toward the distant northern horizon. "So do I."
High above the garden, standing quietly on the secluded balcony of the western palace, Cassian stood enveloped in the cold air, having observed the entire exchange from afar without making a sound.
Later that afternoon, after Wei Xiang had departed for his duties, a Shadow Guard arrived at Lin Wan’s courtyard with an official summons: ’The King requests your presence.’
Following the guard through the grand corridors, Lin Wan noticed a distinct shift in the palace’s atmosphere. Fewer servants walked the halls, replaced by reinforced shifts of armored guards standing at attention near every major pillar and archway. Weapons were polished, and tension hung heavy in the air.
When she was escorted into the central command hall, she found Cassian surrounded by his high council—General Borin, Commander Hale, Captain Rhys, and several ministers gathered around the strategy map.
The moment she entered, all conversation ceased.
Cassian looked up immediately. "You came."
"You summoned me," she replied evenly from the threshold.
Cassian glanced at his advisors. "Leave us."
Without questioning the command, the generals and ministers bowed and exited the hall, the heavy bronze doors clicking shut behind them.
Lin Wan stepped further into the room. "What did you want to discuss?"
Cassian walked toward the wide stone window overlooking the snow-covered mountain range. "The opposing host is advancing closer. They will reach the outer valley within two days."
"I know," Lin Wan said quietly. "I heard about it."
Cassian turned, analyzing her composed demeanor. "You seem unnaturally calm."
"What should I do? Panic?" She offered a faint, sad smile.
Cassian stared at her for several seconds. "No.