Page 122 of The War God’s Favorite

Cassandra slightly nodded.

“In the tribe I grew up in, we did not believe in dragons and demi-Gods, but in the sacred nature. I was taught that every life is sacred and equally precious. Plants, animals, humans, all equal and living together, each one with a purpose. And the Elders said the stars are little reminders of each life that came and went. My mother said the brighter they were, the purer and shorter a life was.”

The Prince frowned a bit. It was so rare for her to talk about her life before meeting him. No wonder she wasn’t really afraid of Krai, and couldn’t stand another’s suffering.

“Did they teach you about medicine?”

“Yes… My Grandfather was the village chief and a good doctor. He knew every plant, every flower, every herb’s name, and their properties. He taught me everything. After that, I kept trying to learn what I could when I could access my master’s libraries or listen to the apothecary shop owners.”

Still, it was impressive. She was captured when she was very young, but had still managed to learn so much in such a short time and kept nurturing her talent by herself. Kairen felt like his woman was more precious than any treasure one could gather in this Palace. He caressed her hair, kissing her fingers gently.

“Your mother…” whispered Cassandra.

“What about her?”

“...Can you tell me what she did to the Second Prince’s mother?”

She heard him sigh.

“Their mother tried to poison me when I was young. She hated my mother and didn’t want her son to have another rival born from her. But my mother found out and tricked her into drinking it herself. She had a slow and painful death.”

Cassandra felt disgusted. How could one do such a thing to a child. Since Imperial Children were so resistant; drinking a poison meant for Kairen must have caused that concubine to be in terrible agony? No matter what, Cassandra couldn’t help but think it was a tragic death, even if she had brought it upon herself. Kareen wasn’t cruel by nature, but she certainly had to stand up to protect her children.

In the same situation, Cassandra wondered if she would have had the guts to do the same thing and cause someone else’s death. She put a hand on her tummy. Yes, maybe. Probably. She already loved her unborn child so much, she couldn’t bear the thought of losing him. If she had gone through what Kareen went through, losing several children, she might have gone crazy with despair. She shivered and hugged Kairen closer, in need of his warmth.

“Are you cold?”

“Just hug me, please.”

He gently obeyed, surrounding her with his sturdy arms and hot skin. Behind them, Krai softly growled, curling up a bit more around them. They stayed like this a long while until Cassandra fell asleep, and the Prince decided it was getting a bit too cold for his expecting concubine to stay out.

He gently carried her back to their bedroom, only noticing she was awake when laying her on the bed.

No words were exchanged between them for a while. He helped her get rid of her jewelry and dress then laid next to her. Cassandra’s emerald eyes were shining with the candlelight between them, as she kept staring at the War God, half-asleep.

“My Prince,” she whispered.

Her voice was so soft, he thought he had misheard it.

“My name,” he said, getting closer to her, placing one arm around her.

“Kairen… I love you.”

The War God remained stunned for a while, unable to say a word. Cassandra chuckled, observing his baffled expression for the first time. Did he really not know? She got a bit closer and put a quick peck on his lips, despite her shyness. Her heart was filled with something warm and sweet, and that secure feeling whenever that man was close.

Kairen didn’t stay frozen for long though. The Prince’s eyes dropped down to her lips and drew her in for a much more intense, deep kiss. Cassandra helplessly blushed, feeling his lips and tongue claiming her so fiercely. His caresses on her skin were still gentle, but it had a slightly different feel to it.

When they separated, Cassandra couldn’t help but smile, a bit out of breath.

“Aren’t you going to answer me?” she whispered gently.

Kairen stayed silent, scrutinizing her very seriously. After a while, he took a deep breath, looking stern.

“Marry me, Cassandra.”

The young concubine was taken back in surprise, expecting anything but those words. It took her a few seconds to understand what he had just said. To marry him? Her? She was just…and already…her thoughts got lost in a storm. After a few seconds, she laughed nervously.

“Did you just…”

---