Chapter 2
Chapter 2
09:02
5
Cloudhaven was Kaelen’s mother’s hometown. It wasn’t far from the border garrison where my grandfather was stationed. I had even visited as
a child.
The comments were now a raging battlefield of arguments. I ignored them and went straight to the Emperor’s study.
My father was a deeply paranoid man. If I wanted to leave the palace, I needed a perfect excuse.
My grandfather, the renowned General of the Northern Pacification, commanded an army of two hundred thousand men. For weeks, he had been sending memorials to the court, reporting that the border army had not received their pay in months. Their grain supply was so low, it
might not even last ten days.
But no one at court cared. The only answer was always the same: No!
“The national treasury is empty,” had become their go–to excuse.
Fortunately, I had been preparing for a rainy day. I had amassed a considerable fortune from my businesses and had been secretly stockpiling grain. The gifts I’d sent to Kaelen were mostly trinkets; I had pocketed most of the “husband–chasing fund” my father had given me.
Now, it would be just enough to solve my grandfather’s immediate crisis.
I told my father I was willing to donate my entire personal treasury to fund the army. My one condition was that I had to personally escort the
shipment.
My father said he would consider it.
A few days later, he summoned me to the throne room, his face plastered with a rare, fatherly smile.
“Seraphina, my dear, the year is drawing to a close, and your grandfather is getting old. I will trouble you to personally escort the grain supplies to the border, and while you’re there… bring him back to the capital. It will be good for the family to be reunited for the New Year.”
A surge of joy went through me. But it was immediately followed by a profound sense of unease.
I looked up, and the comments were scrolling frantically.
[The tragedy arc is starting! This part where they destroy the princess’s family is my favorite!]
[I switched over from another channel just for this! I love the tragedy! The more miserable, the better!]
[Don’t spoil it, you guys! She can see the comments!!]
[We can just speak English, no way she’ll get it.]
There were so many, my head started to spin. There were even comments in a foreign language. With great difficulty, I managed to pick out a few useful ones among the chaos.
[It’s over! The General’s family is done for! His success has made him a threat!]
[Don’t let the old General come back to the capital! The dog emperor is going to kill him!]
[Yesterday, one of the Emperor’s lackeys went to him and whispered that if you really marry Kaelen, and with your grandfather controlling the army… what if…]
That last comment was like a poison–tipped icicle, plercing through all the pretense,
I see.
I understood everything.
An icy rage shot up from the soles of my feet, chilling me to the bone. It wasn’t just because of my father’s cruelty. It was because of the live comments that had been my companions for over a month.
To see me suffer according to the original storyline, to see my grandfather killed, they had deliberately misled me.
The most spammed comment now was:
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[Bring the old General back! Your mother and grandmother miss him!]
This single comment was now so prevalent, it drowned out everything else.
They were intentionally feeding me false information.
09.02
My father was still waiting for my answer, a rare display of patience.
Since he was without mercy, he couldn’t blame me for being without loyalty.
To hide my trembling hands, I tucked them into my wide sleeves. My face remained a calm mask as I replied, “Your daughter obeys.”
Then, with a carefully crafted note of worry in my voice, I changed the subject. “But… Father, my personal treasury is small. I fear it won’t be enough to procure the necessary supplies. Perhaps we could start a donation drive? The officials of the court eat your grain; they should lead
by example. After all, a secure border is the foundation of our kingdom’s stability.”
I knew my father’s character. As long as it didn’t affect his own interests, he would surely agree to something that cost him nothing but brought him praise.
The next day, with his tacit approval, I took the Imperial Guard and went straight for the corrupt officials who loved to slander me the most. I extorted a hefty sum from each of them. My reasoning was simple: if I’m donating, then for the good of the country, you should too.
I returned with a mountain of treasure, which I immediately converted into grain. Combined with my own stockpile, it was enough to feed two hundred thousand soldiers for over half a year.
6
With everything ready, I went to pay my respects to my mother.
Her palace was eerily quiet. A thick, cloying smell of medicine mixed with a damp, cold air hit me as I entered. My mother was my grandfather‘
s only child. My father had only married her to keep my grandfather in check at the border. My mother knew this and never vied for his affecti- on, so her palace was always a lonely place. But today, the cold was unnatural.
I quickened my pace. She was lying on her chaise, her eyes vacant, her face pale, as if all her life force had been drained away. Only her hand-
maiden, Chloe, was by her side.
When Chloe saw me, tears streamed down her face. “Her Ladyship…” Her voice was hoarse, trembling with a post–traumatic fear. “It’s thanks to your warning, Your Highness. I’ve been checking the medicine every day. This morning… the tonic the Emperor sent… it had something in it!
If she had drunk that bowl… her lungs would have been destroyed. She wouldn’t have lasted two weeks…”
Chloe was skilled in medicine; I had specifically placed her with my mother. I had suspected something like this after the comments‘ warnings and had prepared accordingly. I just hadn’t wanted to believe my father could be so ruthless. I had held onto a sliver of hope that the commen- ts were wrong, that my father genuinely wanted to bring my grandfather back to enjoy a peaceful retirement.
But now, for his pathetic throne, for his ridiculous paranoia, he was willing to poison my mother. Just to ensure I would bring my grandfather back. If my mother were gravely ill, my grandfather, who doted on her, would have rushed back without a second thought. And what would
have been waiting for him….
I looked at my mother’s lifeless eyes. Once a vibrant woman, she was now a gaunt, heartbroken shell.
I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms. My decision was made.
“Chloe,” I commanded, “stand guard outside. Don’t let anyone in.”
The room fell silent again.
“Mother,” I said, my voice unnaturally clear, filled with a finality that burned all bridges behind me. “Let’s…”
“Rebel.”
The live comments went absolutely insane, filled with even more colorful greetings for my family.
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[HOLY SHIT!]
[Wait, I thought the princess was just going to convince the old General not to come back!]
[Me too! I thought just protecting her mother was a huge achievement!]
[I was on level one, and the princess is already on level seventy–two?]
[I have a terrifying thought… when the princess was stockpiling grain before, was she already planning a rebellion?]
09.02
I smiled at the comments, and for the first time, I taunted them back.
“Didn’t you all want to see my grandfather come back?”
“Fine. I’ll let you see him.”
Leading an army of two hundred thousand strong.
7
The decision was made. It was time to act. First, I arranged for my mother. As soon as I left, she would feign a severe illness and “die.” Most of my loyal people would remain in the capital, on standby. Once I successfully convinced my grandfather to rebel, they would escort my grand- mother and the families of the main generals to safety.
The journey to the border was long, and the mountain of grain was a tempting target for many, especially the corrupt officials I had “persuaded ” to donate. They were all waiting to see me fail, and perhaps get their money back.
As evening fell, I returned to The Azure Dragon’s Hearth for dinner. I requested the handsome male companions as usual, but a group of beaut- iful women came to serve me instead.
“Wait, where are your male hosts?”
“Your Highness,” the lead woman said, looking flustered, “they all took leave today.”
“All of them?” The woman’s forehead was beaded with sweat. She mumbled a soft “yes.”
The comments were filled with laughter.
[Leave my ass! Kaelen definitely got jealous and sent them all away, hahaha!]
[I can smell the jealousy through the screen! All hail His Majesty!]
[My baby male lead has this side to him too! Mom is so proud!]
The comments had returned to their previous friendly state. My boldness had won most of them over, and they were now cheering on my rebe- llion. Those who wanted to see the tragedy arc had left when they realized the plot was beyond saving. And a few had decided, well, since we‘
re here, might as well see it through.
When I finished my meal, Valerius appeared on cue. I didn’t waste any time. “The road is dangerous. I’d like to borrow some of your men for an escort.” After all, he had told me to come to him with any requests. “And also…” I paused, tapping my fingers on the table. “A few of your most skilled shadow guards, for my personal protection.”
Valerius raised an eyebrow, his smile deepening. “Princess, forgive my bluntness, but you want men to escort grain to General Gu’s army, corr- ect? And General Gu’s army is pointed directly at the Azure Empire’s border. Aren’t you afraid… we might just intercept the grain for ourselves?”
His frankness was actually a relief. I waved a dismissive hand. “Master Valerius, you jest. The Azure Empire is powerful. You wouldn’t care about such a small amount.” I took a sip of tea. “Besides, if Emberfall were to be conquered by the Azure Empire, it might not be such a bad thing. At least as your citizens, my people could eat their fill, unlike now…” I couldn’t bring myself to describe the current state of my kingdom. “Your Highness… is truly a remarkable person,” Valerius said. He produced a dark iron token from his sleeve and handed it to me. “The men are ready. They are all elites, awaiting your command.”
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09.02
The convoy set out immediately. We hadn’t gone far before I dealt with the spies my father had planted among us.
Less than a hundred miles from the capital, the sound of music and laughter was replaced by cries of anguish. Soon, even the crying stopped, and the world became a silent, black–and–white film. The sights on either side of the road were horrifying.
A child wrapped in a tattered blanket sat by the road, already frozen solid. His eyes were still open, and he was clutching a hard clump of mud, his lips cracked into what looked like a smile. A mother was digging through a pile of frozen corpses, searching until she found the small body of her son. She didn’t cry, just wrapped him in a straw mat and slowly carried him away. Three people sat numbly in a circle around a cooking pot. I knew at a glance that the meat in that pot was not pork or lamb. It was…
My stomach churned.
1, a princess, sat high on my horse, wrapped in a fox–fur cloak, surrounded by three thousand elite guards, watching this living hell. The magnif- icent banner of my household fluttered in the wind, a cruel irony. The starving people could only stare.
And behind me, a train of grain that could save countless lives, yet I could do nothing.
Thankfully, a letter from my grandfather arrived. He said the border wasn’t short on grain; his requests to the court were just a formality to allay suspicion. He told me to do with the grain as I saw fit.
I immediately gave the order to distribute it along our route, but only to those who still had a spark of humanity left in them. Those who had become… something else… were beyond saving.
Even my guards seemed relieved by the order. The refugees and common folk were, of course, immensely grateful. But I knew this grain would only provide a temporary respite.
As we neared the border, our grain supply dwindled, but the number of refugees on the road also decreased. In their place were small, newly cultivated fields, dusted with a thin layer of snow. At the foot of the border fortress walls were neat and orderly military farms. Around the barracks, I could even see villages with smoke rising from their chimneys. The air was no longer filled with despair, but with the tenacious sce-
nt of life.
My grandfather was waiting for me outside the city gates. He was no longer the imposing warrior I remembered from my childhood. He was much older, his beard like frost, but his back was still ramrod straight.
He led me into his tent and dismissed his aides. Just like when I was a child, he poured me a cup of wine. “Drink this. Warm yourself up.”
I looked at his white hair, and all the carefully prepared speeches I had rehearsed on the journey here got stuck in my throat.
“Seraphina,” he said, his voice firm, “out with it. There are no cowards in our family.”
His words finally broke the dam I had built around my emotions. My nose stung, and I felt a sudden, overwhelming sense of relief, as if I had finally found a safe harbor.
I told him everything–my father’s paranoia and murderous intent, my mother’s near–death experience.
“Grandfather, if you don’t believe me, I have found a man who looks just like you. He can impersonate you and head back to the capital, to see if there’s an ambush waiting.”
I was still trying to convince him, but he cut me off.
“I believe you.”
His deep–set eyes were fixed on me, his tone resolute. “Seraphina, you already have a plan.”
I took a deep breath, dropped to my knees, and said, “Grandfather, let’s rebel.”
I had thought he would be the hardest to convince. He had dedicated his entire life to defending Emberfall, leaving his wife and daughter behind. His loyalty was beyond question. But I had forgotten: he was loyal to the country and its people, not to a foolish king. He was old, but he was not rigid. To feed the people on the border, he had secretly ordered his soldiers to cultivate land and trade with the Azure Empire.
After hearing my proposal, he didn’t hesitate for a second.
“Alright,” he said. “We rebel.”
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Late that night, I sat alone on the battlements, looking towards Cloudhaven I was planning to go find Kaelen tomorrow. I didn’t care if the prev ious comments had been trying to provoke me or stop me from changing the plot. I had a mouth. I could ask him myself.
Suddenly, a gust of wind, and a figure landed silently beside me.
I jumped, my hand flying to the hilt of my sword.
It was Kaelen.
My heart leaped into my throat. I didn’t know if it was from shock or joy.
“What are you doing here?” I whispered, looking around nervously. “This is an Emberfall military camp. You’ll be in trouble if you’re seen.”
His shoulders were still dusted with frost. He looked as cold and handsome as ever, just a little more tired. He sat down beside me without a
care in the world.
“A shadow guard reported that your father knows about the grain shipment. He has secretly ordered the provincial governments along your route to assemble their forces. The moment you start back to the capital, they will intercept and kill you at any cost.”
When I didn’t respond, he turned to look at me. His deep eyes reflected the starlight, and also my own foolishly happy expression.
I wanted to hug him so badly.
“I’m so happy today!” I blurted out.
He seemed confused by my non–sequitur. He thought I didn’t believe him and was about to say more.
“I believe you!” I said quickly. “I believe you! I’m just so happy that you came to find me!”
At my words, the tension in his shoulders seemed to ease slightly. He took out a dark iron command token, carved with a coiled dragon. “This can mobilize the eight thousand Dragon Scale Guards I have stationed at the border. They are my personal death squadron, unmatched in batt- le. They will protect you and your grandfather to the death.”
He paused, waiting for me to take it, then continued. “The token Valerius gave you can command all our spies, agents, strongholds, and banks within Emberfall. You… may use them as you see fit.”
His voice was low, as if he were discussing something mundane. But he was handing me the eyes, ears, and claws of the Azure Empire within
my own country.
“Kaelen!”
I looked up, meeting his bottomless gaze. “Aren’t you afraid… that I’ll turn your own forces against the Azure Empire?”
He looked at me, the firelight from the braziers dancing in his eyes, a faint but clear smile spreading across his lips.
“I trust you, too.”
His voice was steady and firm.
Faced with such beauty, I couldn’t resist. I leaned in and planted a kiss on his cheek.
We both froze.
“Seraphina! What do you two think you’re doing?”
My grandfather’s voice boomed from behind me, so startling me I nearly fell off the wall. Kaelen caught me just in time.
I jumped in front of him protectively “Grand… Grandfather, he… he’s…”
Kaelen gently patted my shoulder. “It’s alright. The General knew I was coming”
Me: ?!
“You… you two…”
Wasn’t this treason? No, wait, we were all about to commit treason anyway. What did it matter?
My grandfather was still furning, letting out a sharp “Hmph!”
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Chapter 2
His second–in–command explained that our two kingdoms hadn’t been at war for a long time. Every battle had resulted in countless casualties. With the court withholding supplies, the soldiers‘ lives had become unbearable. It was Kaelen who had approached my grandfather and sign- ed a gentleman’s agreement Instead of pointless bloodshed, they would have a truce. The soldiers and people on the border needed to survi- ve. They cultivated land, and Kaelen sent men with designs for waterwheels and new crop varieties. The soldiers no longer had to risk their lives every day and could support the growing number of refugees.
I understood. No wonder the border region had been so full of life.
“Your Highness may not know,” the deputy said, lowering his voice conspiratorially, “but when His Majesty wanted to marry you off, it was the old General who requested that the Emperor of the Azure Empire personally come to the capital to get you out of it.”
Me: ?!
No wonder Kaelen had graced my father’s birthday with his presence. My grandfather had asked him to come.
My grandfather looked even angrier now, clearly remembering my “bold” move from earlier. His white beard bristled with indignation as he glared at Kaelen.
He let out another heavy “Hmph!”
“Little did I know I was letting a wolf into the sheepfold!”
Kaelen’s expression was calm as he bowed respectfully to my grandfather. But I was the only one who saw the tips of his ears turn bright red.
10
Before we set out, I secretly sent orders to the capital to have my grandmother, mother, and the families of our main generals moved to a safe location. With the token Kaelen had given me, the operation went off without a hitch.
In the border camp, banners snapped in the wind. My grandfather, clad in his armor, sat astride his aging warhorse, looking down at the soldie- rs assembled before him.
His voice was low and steady. “How many of you have ever been envious of the Azure Empire?”
The soldiers exchanged glances. No one dared to speak. After a moment, a few hands slowly went up, then a few more.
My grandfather continued, “I know some of you have sisters who married men from there, brothers who went there to farm, parents who bec- ame their citizens. Why? Because over there, they can eat their fill! They have hope!”
He turned to me. “Seraphina, this rebellion is not for me, nor is it for you. I am old. I don’t care who sits on that throne. My demand is simple: that these men who follow me can live! That they can marry and have children! That their families can have enough to eat!”
The soldiers were deeply moved. Some were secretly wiping away tears. Such a simple wish, yet so unattainable.
“If you are willing to fight with your backs against the wall,” my grandfather roared, “then this old man… will fight one last time!”
“FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!”
The soldiers‘ roars echoed through the valley.
The two hundred thousand strong army split into three columns and surged from the border like a tide, heading straight for the capital.
The journey was surprisingly smooth Cowardly officials, upon hearing that the old General was leading an army against them, abandoned their cities and fled The cleverer ones surrendered immediately, offering their full cooperation. In some cities where the officials tried to mount a resistance, the gates were secretly opened by the common people.
Because I had distributed grain along my route, saving countless lives, the people recognized the banner of my household and spontaneously rose up against the court. I finally understood the meaning of “he who wins the hearts of the people, wins the world.”
In every city we liberated, we immediately implemented new policies based on those of the Azure Empire: reducing taxes, distributing grain, resettling refugees, cultivating land, and stabilizing prices. The most horrifying discovery was the granaries of the nobles and officials, overfl- owing with grain they refused to share with the starving masses.
As we neared the capital, people were already burning Incense and kowtowing on the sides of the road.
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“The princess is here! The old General is finally here!”
“We finally have a way to live!”
“We have food”
Their cheers were like a fire, spreading far and wide, burning ever brighter.
09.03
When I saw my father again, he had lost his mind. He showed no remorse, no guilt. He just cursed me for being unfilial, cursed my grandfather for being disloyal. His only regret was not having killed us sooner.
11
I did not ascend the throne.
I established Emberfall as a “Special Economic Zone” of the Azure Empire–politically autonomous, but with significant economic support. I
learned the term from the live comments.
In front of all the civil and military officials in the throne room, I put on a grand performance, whining and pleading with Kaelen for benefits.
“Your Majesty, Emberfall is in ruins, and our people are struggling. You must provide us with special support,” I cooed. “We need funds, capable officials, open trade routes, and new technology. As you know…”
The ministers below were all twitching. My grandfather just shot me an exasperated look.
Kaelen, sitting on the throne above, listened patiently. “Mm. As you wish.”
I pressed my advantage. “And we must not have any political interference from you. The appointment of officials, the revision of laws, the gov- ernance of the people–all will be decided by us.”
His gaze was gentle. “You have the final say.”
The ministers‘ twitches became more violent.
After the court session, I pestered him. “Why are you so good to me?”
He hesitated, pressing his lips together, then finally said, “We knew each other as children.”
I looked up at him, a smile in my eyes. “I know.”
Now it was his turn to be stunned.
Just like when we were children, I stood on my tiptoes and patted his head. “You were so handsome. Of course I remember you.”
When I was little, I had visited my grandfather at the border. Kaelen had been visiting his own grandmother in Cloudhaven with his mother. Curious about Emberfall, he had snuck across the border alone. I was naturally outgoing, especially with handsome boys. I remember he was
like a little ice cube, refusing to talk to me no matter what I said. I had just found some transmigration novels in the archives, so I started telli- ng him the stones from the books. When he heard about things like hybrid rice, waterwheels, and legal reforms, his eyes lit up. But soon after,
his mother’s guards found him and took him back to the Azure Empire
He looked at me, his gaze steady “Do you remember the wish you made back then?”
“You said you wished for a world where the four seas were abundant, where all people were well–fed and warm, where all things were equal, and where the common folk could live in peace”
“Now, you can make it happen.”
12
Ever since I decided to rebel, I rarely looked at the live comments anymore. It’s no fun when you always have the cheat codes. One must forge one’s own destiny.
But they were still like old friends to me. I would occasionally check in, see them gossiping, complaining about new policies, or arguing about
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which hairpin and dress 1 should wear.
One day, I opened the comments. They were discussing the original ending
I just realized, in the original plot, the male lead wasn’t at the Emperor of Emberfall’s birthday]
[Yeah, that’s why the princess married the Lyrian prince and was tortured to death‘]
[After the princess died a miserable death, the male lead conquered the Lyrian Kingdom. And after the old General’s family was killed, he con- quered Emberfall. Doesn’t that seem… a little suspicious?]
[Sigh, in the original plot, what did it matter if the male lead united the world? He still died alone.]
[Don’t be sad, guys! He has the little princess with him now!]
I looked over at Kaelen. He was leaning against the railing of the pavilion, the sunlight filtering through the leaves and dappling his shoulders,
serene and beautiful.
As if sensing my gaze, he looked up at me.
The corner of his lips curved into a smile.
The live comments exploded.
[AAAAAAAH! MY BABY SMILED AGAIN!!!]
