I Got Cheated On and Ended Up in A Beast World

Chapter 178: Chapter 178

"You refused them," he remarked.

"They aren’t mine."

"They are now."

"I don’t want your gifts."

Cassian studied her quietly. "They’re clothes."

"They look like chains to me."

His brows drew together. "They’re very comfortable."

"They’re from you."

The words hit harder than she intended, and a long silence stretched between them before Cassian finally spoke. "You ate."

"I wasn’t trying to," she murmured.

He frowned. "What does that mean?"

"The food didn’t make me sick, so I ate."

Cassian glanced at the simple meal, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "The physician changed your diet. It appears he was correct."

Lin Wan remained silent while Cassian slowly walked toward the crystal window. As the snow continued falling outside, he spoke without looking back. "The northern borders have become unstable. Wang is moving. He has gathered armies."

Only then did Lin Wan slowly lift her head. "Why are you telling me?"

Cassian looked outside. "So you understand. If he attacks, many will die."

Lin Wan’s face slowly lost color. "He wouldn’t."

"He already has," Cassian countered, finally turning around. "The White Tiger clans, the Silver Leopard clans, and several wandering tribes are answering his call."

Lin Wan’s heart sank, and she whispered his name almost unconsciously. Cassian heard it, causing his jaw to tighten. "You still think about him."

"He is my mate," she answered naturally, without hesitation.

Cassian’s chest tightened painfully. "So am I."

"No," she said, meeting his eyes. "You never asked. You took."

Every word landed like another blade, and neither of them moved. Finally, Cassian walked closer until only a few steps separated them. "You hate me."

"Yes."

"You fear me."

"Yes."

"And yet," his golden eyes slowly lowered, "you carry my child."

Lin Wan froze as the room became deathly still. Her face drained of every trace of color, her breathing stopped, and she stared at him with trembling lips. "You know?"

Cassian nodded once. "The physician confirmed it yesterday."

Lin Wan instinctively stepped backward, shaking her head repeatedly. "No." Her hands immediately wrapped protectively around her stomach.

Cassian noticed the movement, and his eyes softened almost imperceptibly. "You were protecting our child even before you knew I knew."

"It isn’t yours," the words escaped before she could stop them.

Cassian’s entire expression went cold, and his spiritual pressure filled the room for one terrifying second before disappearing. He forced himself to breathe. "It is."

"It isn’t," she shook her head again, tears filling her eyes. "This child is mine. I won’t let you use it."

Cassian stared at her. "I would never harm my heir."

Lin Wan laughed bitterly. "You harmed the mother. You locked me away. You killed Jarek. You threatened Wei Xiang. You expect me to believe you’ll suddenly become kind because there’s a baby involved?"

Cassian had no answer. For the first time in centuries, the Supreme King found himself unable to defend his own actions. Lin Wan slowly backed away until her shoulders touched the crystal window.

"I don’t trust you," her voice cracked. "I never will."

Cassian remained standing where he was, his golden eyes fixed on her as she protected her stomach with both hands. Somewhere deep inside his chest, something hurt. For the first time, he finally understood that no amount of power could force someone to feel safe.

The room remained silent as neither of them spoke. The incense burned quietly in the corner, filling the space with the faint scent of sandalwood while Lin Wan kept her hands over her stomach out of pure instinct.

Cassian’s eyes remained fixed on the small movement. His heir, a thought that should have filled him with nothing but pride, now only brought him face to face with the fear in the mother’s eyes. She looked at him as though he were standing there with a drawn blade.

"Sit down," his voice was calmer now.

Lin Wan didn’t move.

"I said, sit."

"I’m fine here."

"You’ve barely recovered."

"I’m standing."

Cassian exhaled slowly. "You’ll tire yourself."

Lin Wan looked at him. "When did you start caring?"

The question can make him pause. "I have always cared."

She laughed softly, a sound that held no happiness. "If this is your way of caring, I’d rather never be cared for again."

Cassian’s fingers slowly curled behind his back as the words struck deeper than any weapon. Just then, three knocks echoed from outside, and a servant announced their presence. Cassian didn’t take his eyes off Lin Wan. "Enter."

The heavy doors opened, and the elderly royal physician hurried inside, kneeling immediately. "This servant greets Your Majesty."

Cassian spoke without looking away. "Report."

The physician lowered his head. "I have already instructed the kitchens to prepare ordinary meals from now on. No spiritual herbs, no heavy fragrances, and no medicinal wine. They may worsen her condition."

Cassian nodded once. "What else?"

The old physician hesitated. "Lady Lin must avoid emotional distress. Her body is already weak, and if she continues refusing proper rest, it may affect both mother and child."

Lin Wan almost smiled bitterly, knowing that avoiding distress was impossible. Cassian’s gaze finally shifted to the old man. "What should be done?"

The physician answered immediately. "Peace, regular meals, enough sleep, and she should not be frightened."

Silence followed his words. The physician suddenly realized what he had just implied, and cold sweat rolled down his neck. Cassian remained expressionless. "You may leave."

The old man quickly retreated, and the doors closed again, leaving only the two of them once more. Lin Wan quietly walked toward the bed, feeling utterly exhausted. The conversation had drained what little strength she had recovered, so she sat on the edge of the mattress.

Cassian watched every movement. "You heard what the physician said."

"I did."

"You need rest."

She didn’t answer, but after several moments, she finally asked why he hadn’t told anyone about the child. She noted that the palace and the council remained unaware because he had kept it a secret.

Cassian looked toward the window. "There are too many enemies. If word spreads, they will target you."

Lin Wan lowered her eyes. "So now I’m even more valuable."

"No," his answer came immediately. "You were already valuable."

She looked back at him. "As your prisoner."

"As my mate."

She shook her head. "You keep saying that. We never became mates."

Cassian met her gaze. "We completed the bond."

"You forced it on me!."

"It is still recognized by the laws of our world."

"It isn’t recognized by mine."

Silence settled again, and Lin Wan looked away first, her hand unconsciously resting over her stomach once more. Quietly, she whispered, "I won’t let my child grow up afraid."

Cassian heard every word. "What do you mean?"

She slowly raised her head. "I grew up believing home was somewhere safe. My child deserves the same."

His brows tightened. "The child will have everything. Power, wealth, and protection."

Lin Wan slowly shook her head. "You still don’t understand."

Cassian frowned. "What else could it need?"

She looked directly into his golden eyes. "Love."

The word echoed softly through the room, leaving Cassian standing motionless. Kings understood loyalty, fear, and obedience, but no one had ever taught him about love.

His father had ruled through strength, his teachers had trained him through blood, and his enemies had respected only power. Love had never been part of becoming king.

Seeing his silence, Lin Wan quietly smiled a sad smile. "You see? You don’t even know how to answer."

Cassian remained standing there, his mind strangely empty. After a long moment, he finally spoke. "Then teach me."

Lin Wan blinked. "What?"

"You said I don’t understand," his voice remained steady. "Teach me."

She stared at him in disbelief, then slowly lowered her eyes. "I can’t."

"Why?"

"Because," her voice trembled, "I’m still trying to remember what love feels like myself."

The words lingered between them as Cassian watched the tears gathering in her eyes. Perhaps everyone had taken something from her, even him.

Before either of them could speak again, a Shadow Guard appeared outside and dropped to one knee. "Your Majesty, the High Council awaits. The border generals have arrived, and they refuse to begin the war meeting without you."

Cassian looked back at Lin Wan, but she had already turned away, no longer wishing to look at him. After several seconds, he spoke quietly to the guard. "Double the guards. No one disturbs her."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"And send for books," Cassian added.

The guard blinked. "Books?"

"Stories, gardening, music, whatever she wishes to read."

The guard lowered his head. "As you command."

Cassian looked toward Lin Wan one last time. "If you need anything..."

She interrupted him without turning around. "I need freedom."

His chest tightened again, and without another word, he turned and left. The great golden doors slowly closed behind him, leaving the room silent once more. Lin Wan stood alone before the crystal window, watching the falling snow for a long time before her fingers slowly brushed over her stomach.

A tiny smile finally appeared on her lips. Unlike before, this one held warmth, not because of the palace or Cassian, but because she wasn’t alone anymore. Very softly, so only the tiny life inside her could hear, she whispered, "Don’t be afraid. Mother will find a way."

Outside, hidden beyond the palace walls, war continued to gather like a dark storm over the mountains. Somewhere far away, a white tiger sharpened his claws, an azure lightning roc spread his wings across the heavens, and fate quietly began pulling every one of them toward the same battlefield.