The eastern wing remained quiet throughout the night.
Lin Wan barely slept.
Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the conversation with Cassian.
I won’t let anyone turn the birth into a battlefield.
She wanted to believe him.
She did.
But there was still something she couldn’t explain.
That strange feeling had not disappeared.
It had only grown stronger.
By early morning, Lin Wan finally gave up on sleep and moved toward the window.
The sky was still dark.
A thin layer of snow covered the gardens below.
She placed one hand against the cold glass.
"Why do I feel like something is coming?"
A soft movement answered from inside her stomach.
She smiled faintly.
"You’re awake too?"
Another kick followed.
Lin Wan laughed quietly.
"You three really don’t care about sleeping."
A soft sound came from behind her.
She turned.
Weiwei sat on the edge of the bed.
The small black cat stared at her with bright golden eyes.
Lin Wan smiled.
"You again."
Weiwei flicked her tail.
"You’ve become very good at appearing without making any sound."
The cat blinked.
Lin Wan walked closer.
"Where do you disappear to?"
Weiwei simply stared.
Lin Wan crouched carefully in front of her.
"I wish you could talk."
For the briefest moment, something almost human passed through the cat’s eyes.
Then it disappeared.
Lin Wan reached out and scratched gently beneath her chin.
The cat allowed it.
"At least you’re good company."
Weiwei purred softly.
Lin Wan smiled.
"I’ll call you Weiwei."
The cat’s ears immediately moved.
Lin Wan didn’t notice.
"I know it’s strange."
"But I don’t know what else to call you."
Weiwei stared at her.
Lin Wan laughed.
"Don’t look at me like that."
"You don’t exactly have a name tag."
The cat rubbed against her hand.
Lin Wan’s smile deepened.
"Fine."
"Weiwei it is."
---
A few hours later, Physician Alaric arrived.
He examined Lin Wan carefully.
His expression became thoughtful.
"Your body is preparing."
Lin Wan immediately became tense.
"Does that mean it’s starting?"
"No."
"Not yet."
She released a breath.
"Thank goodness."
Alaric smiled.
"You’ve become more frightened."
"Because you’re always saying ’not yet.’"
"One day I’ll say ’now.’"
Lin Wan stared at him.
"I don’t like that sentence."
Alaric laughed.
"Most mothers don’t."
He checked her pulse again.
"Everything remains normal."
"What about the babies?"
"Healthy."
"All three?"
"All three."
Lin Wan relaxed.
Alaric packed his medicine box.
"However, I want you to rest more."
"I am resting."
"You walked around the eastern wing yesterday."
"That wasn’t walking."
"Then what was it?"
"Exploring."
Alaric shook his head.
"Exploring can wait."
Lin Wan smiled.
"I’ll try."
The physician looked toward Sister Yun.
"Don’t let her wander too far."
Sister Yun nodded.
"I won’t."
Lin Wan sighed.
"I’m right here."
"We know."
Alaric left.
Lin Wan looked at Sister Yun.
"You’ve all become a conspiracy."
Sister Yun smiled.
"We’re keeping you alive."
"I’m not dying."
"Exactly."
---
Outside the Citadel...
The Silver Leopard camp had begun packing.
Not because of war.
Because Wang had given the order.
General Orion stood beside several supply wagons.
"Are we really moving the main camp?"
Wang nodded.
"We’ll move farther from the Citadel."
Captain Bren frowned.
"Won’t that make communication harder?"
"We aren’t here to pressure them."
Wang looked toward the distant mountains.
"We’ll establish a temporary camp near the western valley."
Wei Xiang stood beside him.
"That will place us outside the main military route."
"Exactly."
Orion looked relieved.
"Some of the younger soldiers will be happy."
Wang nodded.
"They’ve been waiting for the order."
Bren hesitated.
"And the Citadel?"
"They’ve been informed."
Wei Xiang glanced at Wang.
"You told them?"
"Yes."
"About leaving?"
"About moving."
Wei Xiang nodded.
"Good."
Wang turned toward the soldiers.
"Make sure no one damages the surrounding villages."
"Take only what we need."
"And leave enough supplies for the smaller clans."
Orion bowed.
"Understood."
The soldiers immediately began moving.
There was no shouting.
No war cries.
No weapons being raised.
Only the steady sound of an army preparing to step away from a battlefield that had never begun.
Wei Xiang watched them for a moment.
Then his gaze moved toward the Citadel.
"She’s getting closer."
Wang looked at him.
"How do you know?"
Wei Xiang smiled faintly.
"I don’t."
"But I can feel something."
Wang didn’t question him this time.
Instead, he looked toward the same distant mountains.
"Then let’s make sure we’re close enough."
---
By afternoon, Lin Wan was tired.
She sat in the garden with her back against a padded chair.
Sister Yun had refused to let her walk.
Mira sat nearby, sorting baby clothes.
Lin Wan picked up a tiny shirt.
"This is too small."
Mira looked at it.
"It’s newborn size."
"They’re going to be tiny."
"Most babies are."
Lin Wan smiled.
"I know."
She placed the shirt beside the others.
There were three piles now.
One for each child.
She looked at them quietly.
"Three."
Mira smiled.
"Three."
"I still can’t believe it."
"Neither can I."
Lin Wan gently touched the smallest shirt.
"I wonder which one will come first."
Sister Yun smiled.
"Physician Alaric said the position of the babies can still change."
Lin Wan’s eyes widened.
"They can?"
"Yes."
"So they haven’t decided?"
"They are babies."
"They don’t have plans."
Lin Wan laughed.
"Maybe they do."
She looked down.
"Maybe the boy will come first."
Mira smiled.
"And the girls will follow."
Lin Wan’s expression softened.
"The girls."
She repeated the words quietly.
For some reason, hearing them made her heart ache with happiness.
"My daughters."
Sister Yun looked at her warmly.
"Yes."
Lin Wan smiled.
Then she suddenly froze.
A sharp pressure passed through her lower stomach.
Her fingers tightened around the tiny shirt.
Sister Yun immediately noticed.
"My Lady?"
Lin Wan took a slow breath.
"It’s gone."
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
She waited.
A few seconds passed.
Another dull pressure came.
Lin Wan’s expression changed.
"Sister Yun..."
The older woman immediately stood.
"What?"
"I think..."
Lin Wan swallowed.
"I think something is different."
Mira jumped up.
"I’ll get Alaric."
"Wait."
Lin Wan closed her eyes.
The pressure eased again.
"Maybe I’m wrong."
Sister Yun shook her head.
"No."
"We aren’t guessing."
She turned toward the door.
"Mira."
"I’m going."
Mira rushed away.
Lin Wan leaned back.
Her breathing became slower.
"Please..."
Sister Yun held her hand.
"Don’t be afraid."
Lin Wan looked at her.
"I’m trying."
---
Physician Alaric arrived quickly.
Behind him came Nessa and Liora.
Alaric examined Lin Wan while the two physicians prepared the necessary items.
After several minutes, Alaric finally smiled.
"You’re not in labor."
Lin Wan almost collapsed with relief.
"But..."
Alaric raised one finger.
"The signs have begun."
Her smile disappeared.
"When?"
"I can’t tell you."
"Hours?"
"Possibly."
"Days?"
"Also possible."
Lin Wan stared at him.
"You really enjoy making me nervous."
Alaric laughed.
"I’m telling you the truth."
He looked toward Sister Yun.
"From now on, she should remain close to the eastern wing."
Lin Wan nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Alaric turned toward Nessa.
"Double-check the healing array."
"Already done."
"Liora?"
"The emergency herbs are prepared."
"Good."
Lin Wan listened quietly.
For the first time, everyone was treating the situation differently.
Not as something distant.
Not as something that would happen someday.
It was coming.
Soon.
---
That evening, Cassian stood inside the war room.
Captain Ronan, General Kael, and several senior commanders stood around the table.
A large map of the northern territory covered the surface.
Ronan pointed toward the western valley.
"The Silver Leopard army has moved."
Cassian looked at the map.
"How far?"
"Far enough that they are no longer directly facing the Citadel."
General Kael frowned.
"They’re retreating?"
"No."
Ronan shook his head.
"Repositioning."
Cassian understood immediately.
"Wang is trying to reduce the pressure."
"Yes."
Kael looked confused.
"Why?"
Cassian’s golden eyes remained on the map.
"Because of her."
The room became quiet.
Kael lowered his head.
"Then what should we do?"
"Nothing."
The general looked surprised.
"Nothing?"
Cassian nodded.
"Keep the defenses active."
"But don’t advance."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Ronan looked toward Cassian.
"And if the Silver Leopard army continues moving away?"
"Let them."
"And if Wang asks for another meeting?"
Cassian paused.
"Not yet."
Ronan nodded.
Cassian’s gaze moved toward the eastern wing.
"Right now..."
"Everything depends on Lin Wan."
No one argued.
The meeting ended shortly afterward.
Cassian left the war room alone.
As he walked through the quiet corridor, he suddenly stopped.
A faint spiritual pressure had swept across the palace.
It was so weak that most people wouldn’t have noticed.
Cassian’s golden eyes narrowed.
He turned toward the eastern wing.
"Who are you?"
There was no answer.
The pressure disappeared.
Cassian stood motionless for several seconds.
Then he continued walking.
Inside Lin Wan’s room...
Weiwei sat silently on the windowsill.
Her golden eyes were no longer watching Lin Wan.
They were staring toward the distant mountains.
For the first time...
The little black cat was worried about what lay ahead for her little princess, and there was not much time left.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter