I Got Cheated On and Ended Up in A Beast World

Chapter 175: Chapter 175 — The King’s Decision

Cassian frowned. "The physician. The servants. ...Me."

She slowly looked at him. "You?"

He met her eyes. "Yes."

Lin Wan stared for several long seconds, then quietly asked, "If I tell you I want to leave... will you let me?"

The room fell silent. Cassian didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His silence was already enough.

Lin Wan gave a small nod. "I thought so." She turned back toward the snowy mountains. "I have nothing else to say."

Those simple words somehow struck harder than an accusation. Cassian stood motionless. He had fought countless wars, negotiated impossible alliances, and faced enemies who cursed his name, yet none of them had ever made him feel as helpless as this quiet female sitting by the window. He wanted to say something—anything—but every sentence that came to mind sounded like another command.

Finally, he spoke. "The northern border is preparing for war."

Lin Wan didn’t react. "Cassian..." she said softly, "I don’t care."

His golden eyes narrowed slightly.

She continued looking outside. "You could tell me the heavens are falling. I still wouldn’t care. My world is already gone."

Those words lingered heavily inside the chamber. Cassian slowly clenched his fists as he realized something: she wasn’t refusing to cooperate anymore. She wasn’t fighting, and she wasn’t arguing. She had simply stopped caring. That frightened him more than her escape ever had.

Without another word, he turned toward the door. Just before leaving, he paused and gave a quiet order without facing her. "The western balcony."

A shadow guard instantly appeared outside. "Your Majesty."

"Remove the outer seals."

The guard looked stunned. "...The outer seals?"

"Yes. Leave only the defensive formation."

The guard hesitated. "But Your Majesty... if the Lady—"

"I gave an order."

"...Yes." The guard disappeared immediately.

Lin Wan slowly turned around. For the first time that day, there was genuine confusion on her face.

Cassian spoke without looking back. "You said you missed the sky. The balcony will remain open during daylight. You may stand there, but the guards stay."

Lin Wan stared at his back, not knowing what to say. She had expected another cage, not a slightly larger one.

Cassian finally walked out of the chamber, the doors closing behind him with a deep rumble. Only after he disappeared did Lin Wan slowly rise to her feet.

Moments later, servants removed the heavy jade barrier covering the western balcony. Fresh mountain air immediately flowed into the room, carrying the scent of snow, pine trees, and distant rivers.

Lin Wan stood frozen, then, with slow, uncertain steps, walked toward the open balcony. No chains stopped her, and no golden barrier blocked the doorway. Only twelve silent Shadow Guards stood several meters away, watching without expression.

She stepped outside. The cold wind brushed against her face, making her hair dance softly around her cheeks. She closed her eyes. For the first time since being dragged back to the Citadel, she felt real air—not filtered through formations, not trapped behind crystal glass, but real mountain wind.

A single tear quietly rolled down her cheek. Not because she was happy, but because something so small had become something she thought she would never have again.

Far below the palace, hidden among countless rooftops, several palace servants secretly watched from a distance.

One whispered, "His Majesty opened the western balcony..."

Another swallowed hard. "That balcony has remained sealed since the late Queen passed away."

None of them understood, but everyone could see it: the Supreme Sovereign of the Manticore Empire was changing, very slowly, and he himself had not yet realized why.

The morning wind swept quietly across the western balcony. Lin Wan remained standing by the white jade railing, her eyes fixed on the endless mountain ranges stretching beyond the palace walls.

The cold air stung her cheeks, but she welcomed it; it reminded her that the world outside still existed. Below the towering palace, clouds drifted lazily through the valleys, hiding villages, forests, and rivers beneath a blanket of white.

Somewhere out there, Wei Xiang was alive. That single thought was enough to keep her working, and slow and steady, she’ll get what she wanted, she had enough patience to get her desires and her answers.

Slow and steady.

A soft knock came from behind her. "Lady."

Lin Wan turned. Sister Yun stepped onto the balcony carrying a thick white fur cloak. "The mountain wind is too cold." Without waiting for permission, the older woman gently draped it over Lin Wan’s shoulders.

Lin Wan instinctively tried to remove it. "I’m not cold."

Sister Yun smiled faintly. "His Majesty gave strict instructions. If the female catches even a slight chill..." She stopped herself before finishing the sentence.

Lin Wan lowered her eyes. "Everything is because of His Majesty."

Sister Yun didn’t answer. She simply adjusted the cloak and stepped back. The older maid had begun noticing something strange. The King no longer asked whether the female had obeyed; instead, every question now began with the same words: ’Did she eat? Did she sleep? Did she vomit again? Did she take her medicine?’

It was as though the entire palace had quietly shifted around one person, and that person didn’t even want to be here.

Elsewhere, the royal council hall was filled with an oppressive silence. More than thirty elders stood on either side of the enormous chamber, the polished black floor reflecting the golden throne at the very end. Cassian sat high above them, his expression as cold as ever.

An elderly minister stepped forward. "Your Majesty, the northern border continues gathering troops. The Silver leopard Patriarch has already taken three mountain passes."

Another elder added, "Our spies report the Silver Leopard Tribe has begun moving faster They appear to have joined his banner."

Cassian remained calm. "They are searching."

The elders exchanged puzzled glances. One finally asked, "Searching for what, Your Majesty?"

Cassian’s golden eyes slowly lifted. "For someone."

No one dared ask another question as the atmosphere became heavy. After several moments, another minister stepped forward holding a jade scroll. "There is another matter. The noble families have begun requesting audiences. They’ve heard rumors that the female has returned, and they wish to offer gifts."

Cassian’s eyes instantly turned cold. "No."

The elder blinked. "Your Majesty?"

"No one enters her courtyard. The order remains unchanged."

Another elder frowned. "But if the nobles believe she has earned Your Majesty’s favor, they will naturally seek to build relations."

Cassian’s voice became quieter, which somehow made everyone even more nervous. "I don’t remember asking what they would naturally do."

Silence fell. The elder immediately bowed. "This servant spoke out of turn."

Cassian leaned back against the throne. "Lady Lin will not meet anyone. Not nobles, not elders, not clan representatives. No invitations, no banquets, no ceremonies. If anyone disturbs her recovery... they may leave the Citadel permanently."

Everyone understood exactly what that meant: death. No one questioned him again.

Far away in the northern mountains, a huge military camp stretched across the snow-covered plains.

Thousands of tents stood beneath fluttering white banners where the symbol of a roaring silver tiger danced in the freezing wind. Warriors sharpened weapons, spirit beasts roared, and messengers rushed between command tents.

At the very center, Wang stood before an enormous map carved into solid stone, with several generals waiting nearby.

One of them bowed. "Patriarch, our scouts have confirmed it. The female remains inside the Supreme Citadel."

Another general clenched his fist. "We should attack immediately."

Wang remained silent, his sharp golden eyes studying the map. "No."

Everyone looked surprised.

"That bastard is waiting for us. They’ve strengthened every defensive array. If we charge now, we’ll lose tens of thousands before reaching the palace."

The generals lowered their heads. "What are your orders then?"

Wang slowly closed his eyes. His thoughts drifted back to the river, to Wei Xiang’s broken voice, and the memory of her fainting in his arms. His chest tightened. When he opened his eyes again, they were filled with quiet determination.

"We don’t rush. We prepare. Cassian believes time is his ally; we’ll prove him wrong."

One of the scouts hurried into the tent. "Your Majesty! We’ve located the young master of the Azure Lightning Roc and he has agreed to meet us."

Wang slowly turned. "Bring him over."

The scout bowed immediately. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Outside the command tent, snow continued falling. For the first time, the paths of Wang and Wei Xiang were about to cross—not as rivals, but as two males who wanted to bring the same female home.( Well, still rivals, but with the same enemy ahead, they could set aside their differences.)

The afternoon sun slowly disappeared behind thick clouds, covering the Supreme Citadel in a pale silver light. Inside the western tower, Lin Wan remained on the balcony long after Sister Yun had left.

The mountain wind had become colder, and even wrapped in the thick white fur cloak, she could feel the chill creeping into her bones.

Still, she didn’t want to go back inside. Inside the chamber, every wall reminded her she was trapped. Out here, even with twelve Shadow Guards watching her every movement, she could at least see the sky.

A flock of white cranes flew over the distant mountains. Lin Wan followed them until they disappeared into the clouds.

"...Lucky."