The War God’s Favorite novel Chapter 46

The Imperial Physician
Cassandra barely dared to look at the Emperor as she approached. To her, he was a much scarier being than the humongous golden Dragon behind him. Yet, the old man gently held his hand out until the Concubine placed her hand in his, with a light smile. She could tell there wasn’t any animosity in his dark eyes.
“There she is,” he said softly. “Aren’t you as white as a water lily?”
“So disgusting,” whispered someone from behind her, but the Emperor didn’t seem to hear it.
“What is your name?”
“Cassandra, Your Majesty.”
“And where are you from, child?”
“The Southern Rain Tribe, Your Highness.”
“I see. That explains a lot then.”
Explains a lot? Cassandra was a bit confused. Next to the Emperor, a servant stepped forward, showing them some letters. What is that? The Emperor didn’t look at it, and turned to Cassandra instead.
“I received some very interesting letters earlier today, children. From General Horogan from the East Army.”
Wasn’t that one of Kairen’s Generals? Cassandra had never greeted him in person, but she could remember the imposing man wearing armor with a beard. He had spoken with her Prince several times. Did he complain to the Emperor about a woman being at the camp? Or was there some issue due to the Prince’s absence?
“I was curious to hear about how my Son’s been doing as Commander-in-Chief,” said the Emperor. “Yet all I read were praises for the young woman he had brought with him. According to two of my most trusted Generals, along with seven of their Commanders, this Empire owes the lives of no less than two hundred of its soldiers to a young slave woman.”
Cassandra was speechless. The Generals had written to the Emperor about her? She hadn’t possibly seen that many men in the Red Room, back at the Camp! Maybe two hundred, but six hundred lives! Did they exaggerate on purpose? Or had something happened while she was gone? The Emperor went on.
“According to them, the Lady of the Mountain has been more efficient in healing and teaching her knowledge to their men than any of the useless, stubborn, and whiny military doctors that had been appointed. The injuries and disease reports have been reduced by nearly half. This is due to the men now being able to take care of themselves. Apparently, they insist on…thoroughly washing their hands, several times a day.”
She couldn’t help but blush and look down after hearing this. She hadn’t been to the Camp in weeks! How could she have known her little stay had allowed so many things to happen back there.
The Emperor smirked.
“It goes on for several pages, with some military matters that would bore most people. The Generals are sending their thanks to my Third Son, for his exceptionally wise taste in women.”
He nodded in Kairen’s direction, but everyone knew who was really receiving the praise here. Cassandra was in an inner turmoil. She hadn’t expected to be singled out by the Emperor in front of the Imperial Family! When the old man turned to her again, she was still too shaken to react.
“After reading so much, this old Emperor couldn’t sit still! Who knew so much knowledge could hide in such a young woman? You make this old man very happy, child.”
Cassandra had no idea how she was expected to answer, or if she was supposed to answer at all. She wished Kairen
was by her side, but the Prince was sitting still in his golden chair, a few steps away. She was standing by herself in front of the Empire’s most powerful man.
“As an Emperor, I have to be grateful to the ones who make this Empire prosperous, and its people safe. Your knowledge has been helpful to our valued soldiers. I do hope you will lend us more of it from now on. I had thought of a way to thank you, but it seems my son took a step ahead with your…situation.”
Cassandra frowned a bit. He meant her status as a slave, staring at the place where her collar stood just hours prior. The Emperor nodded, looking satisfied.
“Fine, fine. I can just go with my own idea, then. From today on, Cassandra, you will be a Noble Lady and an Imperial Physician.”
“Father!” yelled Princess Phetra, her tone sounding more than furious. “You can’t give a noble title to a damn slave!”
“Take a good look, Sister, this woman is no longer a slave. Sit and shut up,” said an older Princess.
“Still! They can’t rise from rags to rubies in a day! She’s a slave and a Southerner! What do we look like if just anyone can achieve that!”
“Not anyone, Phetra,” said the First Prince. “Lady Cassandra is a skilled doctor, our father’s most trusted General
sted to that. Can you claim to have any skills as admirable as one that can save lives?”
With her older brother’s glare, Princess Phetra was defeated. One could tell her anger hadn’t subsided one bit. She sat back loudly, glaring Cassandra’s way, clenching her fists. The young Concubine was too shocked herself to react.
A Noble Lady? Imperial Physician? It was all too much for her! Just like Princess Phetra said, it was unbelievable. All of this was happening to her in just one day! Yet, the Emperor was nodding, satisfied.
“It is good, very good. I’m counting on you to meet with my own Imperial Physicians later. You are welcome to study from our Imperial Library, and I bet those old doctors have a few things to learn from you as well!”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Th… Thank you,” mumbled Cassandra.
“Good, good! And take good care of yourself, too! I want to see this precious Grandson of mine as soon as possible! Now you can go and enjoy the feast, young Lady.”
Understanding this meant their conversation was over, Cassandra hurried back to Kairen’s side. As they reunited, her Prince didn’t say a thing, he only invited her to gently sit on his knee. Cassandra, feeling a bit embarrassed, refused him, and took back her place in-between his legs. No woman was allowed on any of the Prince’s seats. She had already drawn too much attention to herself tonight.
Most of the Imperial Family had their eyes on her for the rest of the evening, including some murderous glares.
Cassandra didn’t feel as scared as she could have, though. Kairen’s warm hand was on her at all times, caressing her arm, shoulder, back, or neck. He was making her confident with his presence right behind her. It was easier to ignore them if she wasn’t scared.
As the couple silently ate, watching the performers, Cassandra realized she would now be wearing a pink dress as a high-ranking Concubine. The Emperor’s words had made it clear her status had changed again. Did this mean she would be safer or in more trouble? It was hard to predict.
As soon as they could, Kairen and Cassandra went back to their room, leaving the Imperial Feast without looking back. Even after returning to the Prince’s apartments, Cassandra didn’t feel calm or safe at all. She slowly took off her jewelry, frowning a bit.
“Did you ask your father for all this? Or your men?” she asked Kairen, who was waiting for her on the bed.
“No.”
So the General really had sent this letter on his own accord. Cassandra couldn’t help but wonder if anything had happened hack at the Military Camp. It was all going too fast for her.
She sighed a bit, taking off the last piece of her jewelry, and walked to her Prince, who put his arms around her. His fingers gently caressed her skin, making sure to undo her dress in the process.
“Are you tired?” he whispered.
“Just a bit. I didn’t expect His Majesty to…”
Cassandra interrupted her sentence, frowning. She was staring down, behind Kairen’s back. Something was moving under the bedsheets.
“Cassandra?”
“Don’t move.”
She slowly took the sword at his side, taking it out in silence. The Prince frowned and was about to turn around when Cassandra screamed.
“Kairen, no!”
Just as he moved, Cassandra aimed the blade down, piercing the mattress. A stain of red appeared on the sheets, a few inches away from his hand. She pulled the sheets back, revealing the snake, pinned down by the blade. The Prince took the sword from her hands, glaring furiously at the snake. Cassandra was about to grab the snake, but he got to it first.
“It’s not a venomous one,” she sighed in relief. “I couldn’t tell under the sheet.”
To her surprise, Kairen suddenly pulled her in for a kiss. She blushed, pushing him away.
“It is not the time to…!”
“You called me by my name.”
Cassandra blushed even more. Yes, she did, without thinking. In the panic of the moment, she had called his name, the one she had in her mind for days.
“We… Someone put a snake in our bed, and…”
“Cassandra.”
She turned to him, unable to look him in the eyes. Kairen was smiling, one of his signature minimalistic smiles. He kissed her again, but Cassandra took the dead reptile from his hand and eluded him, too embarrassed to focus.
“It’s a Crecca snake…” she whispered. “They are not venomous, but the bite can be painful…and…”
“And what?” asked Kairen.
“It can be dangerous for children or pregnant women.”
The War God’s eyes darkened as he glanced at the dead snake. This thing… Cassandra didn’t seem worried, now that it was dead in her hand.
“These types of snakes do not live in this area. It must have cost a fortune to bring it here. I don’t think the person who did this knows anything about snakes. You can find lethal ones or less dangerous ones in the Capital. They are cheaper, too.”
“They wanted to hurt you,” growled Kairen.
“I think they meant to scare me. Not a lot of people knew about my pregnancy until tonight. Those who did couldn’t have bought the snake so fast. Maybe they already had the snake, but it’s a peculiar species, so…”
“It doesn’t matter. They’ll pay.”
To his surprise, Cassandra nodded and turned to him.
“If we find out who did this… Can we do something about it? Even if it’s one of your siblings?”
“You think I’d let it go?”
“If it’s the Imperial Family?”
Kairen shook his head and grabbed her hand.
“Cassandra.”
She stared into his black eyes for a while, and after a few seconds, she understood. She came first. Their unborn child came first. Whoever did this… He wouldn’t let it go. He was the War God, after all. Not someone who’d stay. still after such a vicious threat.
Cassandra nodded.
“I can find out who did this.”
She turned around, and carefully put the dead snake into a basket. She washed her hands thoroughly in the little basin. Behind her, Kairen pulled the dirty bedsheets away and laid his fur cloak on the mattress. They didn’t need a blanket to sleep anyway, the Capital’s humid air was hot enough. Cassandra walked back to him, putting her arms around his neck. Kairen held her close, pulling them both on the bed.
“Are you not afraid?” he asked in a whisper.
“I’m scared for our baby. I just hope he can be born safely. So many people hate me, but here, it’s a matter of life and death every single time.”
She sighed silently, and before she could add anything else or worry more, Kairen pulled her in for a kiss. Their lips intertwined, and their tongues touched, looking for each other’s warmth. Cassandra felt her heartbeat fasten, and climbed on his lap, closer. She was now the one pulling him with her hands, caressing his shoulders and naked torso. Her warmth was rising slowly. (2)
The Prince pulled her dress down to her hips, exposing her bare chest. He began caressing her with his large hands. Yet, a strange desire was rising in Cassandra. Hesitantly, she pushed him down. Kairen didn’t resist at all. Instead, he laid beneath her, letting her ride him with a faint smile. For once, Cassandra was being willful and bold, and he didn’t hate it at all.