Page 182 of The War God’s Favorite

As the Emperor left, Vrehan was staring at Cassandra. He didn’t seem happy or unhappy, his expression was indecipherable, aside from his eyes as cold as ice.

“A hundred times…” cried Cassandra.

“Hinue, don’t worry!” said Missandra, running to her side. “I can stand it. Don’t worry, please, please. Don’t cry. I…I did this to myself, Cassandra. Lady Kareen was right, I’ve been getting ahead of myself, this is my punishment. Don’t cry, please?”

However, Cassandra’s tears wouldn’t stop. She felt horribly guilty for all this. Missandra had only tried to defend her, and now she was being punished! Her younger sister had never been whipped in her life!

Kareen came to her side, too, rubbing her back and consoling her.

“Don’t worry, dear, it will be alright. His Highness won’t allow them to go too hard on her.”

Meanwhile, Shareen was still standing, on the side, glaring at Vrehan along with Krai. The dragon was still growling at the Second Prince from earlier, even more frustrated to not be able to attack him.

“Are you satisfied, now?” hissed Shareen. “Go and scrape up whatever is left of your bitch sister!”

Vrehan stayed silent for a while and actually left the room without saying a word. Shareen clicked her tongue, pissed.

As they were left alone in the Imperial Chamber, Kareen insisted that they go back. Cassandra didn’t want to return to her apartments, so they headed once again to the Imperial Concubine’s apartments. Missandra felt more sorry for her sister than she actually was for herself. She had caused this, and now Cassandra was worried sick for her. She couldn’t even stand by herself, her Prince had to carry her all the way back. She understood that she had to go through this, and how light the Emperor’s punishment for her really was. Neither Kareen or her children had looked at her since it had been announced.

When they returned to Kareen’s garden, Cassandra had stopped crying, but she was still devastated about what her sister would have to go through. Kairen gently put her in the chair, and Missandra immediately sat on the grass next to her, taking her hand.

“Hinue, please, don’t worry, okay? You’ve suffered so much more than me already, I can stand this much, trust me!”

No matter if she could stand it, Cassandra was already sick at the simple thought of her younger sister, her flesh and blood, being injured.

A servant came running, bowing politely.

“Your Highnesses, Imperial Concubine Kareen, Concubine Cassandra, my greetings. His Highness the Emperor has ordered for the servant Lady Missandra to be brought to the punishment cell for her sentence.”

Cassandra almost broke down in tears again, but Missandra confidently stood with a resolute look.

“I’m coming,” she announced, determined.

“I’m coming with you,” said Cassandra.

“Certainly not!” roared Kareen. “You are already sick enough, you are not going to watch that, too!”

“I don’t want to leave her alone through this!” she insisted.

“I will go with her, Cassie,” sighed Shareen. “Don’t worry. They won’t dare go too hard on her if I am there. I promise, I will bring her back as soon as it’s over. Just stay here with Mother and Kairen.”

Cassandra wanted to protest, but no one would side with her. On the side, even Dahlia silently cried too, feeling sorry for Missandra. She internally regretted she hadn’t been braver earlier and said something to stop her or the Princess before things escalated.

Cassandra stood and hugged Missandra, holding back her tears.

“Don’t grind your teeth, and don’t get tense,” she said. “It’ll only make it worse. T…take deep breaths, and… and… I’ll heal you when you come back. I promise.”

“I know. My sister is the best healer in the world.”

Despite her confident smile, everyone could tell Missandra was just trying hard not to break down and cause her sister more pain. After a while, they let go of each other, and Cassandra stumbled back. Kairen helped her to sit back in the chair.

Missandra gave her a weak smile and turned to the servant and Shareen.

“I’m ready. Let’s go.”

Chapter14

As soon as Missandra was gone, Cassandra couldn’t help but cry again. Dahlia tried to get some herbal tea prepared for her, but she didn’t touch it and only sobbed in the War God’s arms for a long time. It was the first time Cassandra had felt so powerless and defeated. She could stand being injured herself, but seeing her loved ones being injured was the worst thing possible for her. She hated having to wait for her sister to come back after her punishment. She wouldn’t be able to do anything for her until then.

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