Page 194 of The War God’s Favorite

“I understand.”

“Father, are we done here?” asked Shareen, impatient.

The Emperor exchanged looks with the two generals, nodding.

“Yes, Daughter of mine, but your mother…”

“Bye, Father!”

Before he could add anything, Kairen and Shareen promptly left, pulling Cassandra with them. She could still hear the Emperor’s frustrated yells several corridors away. She sighed.

“I feel a bit sorry for His Highness,” she whispered.

“Don’t be,” retorted Shareen. “Mother is doing this on purpose, anyway. I’m fairly sure her two favorite hobbies are pissing our Father off and ignoring him.”

“How are you going to go to the North, Shareen?” asked Cassandra. “Without a dragon…”

“Brother and Krai will drop me off half-way. I can ride a horse from there. The northern border isn’t a problem for now anyway.”

For a moment, Cassandra wondered if she shouldn’t go to the Onyx Castle. However, she had already entered the second trimester of her pregnancy. In any case, she knew she would be safer by Kareen’s side, in the Diamond Palace. Moreover, she would be too lonely, waiting in the Onyx Castle without the Prince there.

The siblings and Cassandra walked back to the Imperial Concubine’s apartments. Kareen had been woken up by the earlier ruckus and was already waiting for them in her garden. Shareen quickly explained the situation, making the Imperial Concubine frown more and more as she went on.

“And that old man is sending you two? What about me! Doesn’t that old man have other children to send to the front? Am I his only woman producing warriors!”

“Mother, stop it. You know Kairen and I are the best fighters. Sephir will just get killed, and Father doesn’t want to give Vrehan an opportunity to earn merit. Just let us go without a fuss, you know we love it anyway.”

“A fuss? How are you talking to your mother!”

“I will take you and Cassandra back to the Diamond Palace,” said Kairen.

The Imperial Concubine was still sulking and turned her anger to him.

“Of course, you agreed to it too! What next? How long will I wait to see my children next time? And Cassandra? You better be back before your son is born, Kairen!”

Her son obediently nodded, putting his arms around Cassandra in a possessive stance. She chuckled, trying to be brave.

“It will be fine, Lady Kareen. I didn’t want to stay here any longer, anyway. So this is a good opportunity to leave without angering his Highness.”

“Speak for yourself,” says Shareen. “He was furious about Mother leaving.”

“Why would I stay here if my children are elsewhere?!” shouted the Imperial Concubine. “How dare that old man complain! Let’s just have breakfast and leave!”

Cassandra sighed, watching the Imperial Concubine angrily walk away, yelling for the breakfast to be served already.

“Will you be alright?” he whispered.

“Yes. I’m more worried about Missandra. I hope she can handle the journey.”

“She will be fine,” Shareen replied. “Your sister is probably stronger than she looks, she was already fine last night.”

Cassandra nodded. She was a bit dizzy from all the events in the last hour. They had plans to leave as soon as the Celebrations were over anyway, but she didn’t think it would all happen in such a rush. Moreover, it meant she would have to say goodbye to Kairen, again and soon.

Shareen sighed and went to go and calm down their mother, who was already storming left and right, making preparations for their departure. Cassandra watched them argue and go back to another room, fighting over the ruckus.

Left alone with Kairen in the garden, she turned around, still wrapped in his arms, to face him.

“When will you leave for real?” she asked.

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