Dear Immortal Tyrant

"Have I not kept my promise?" Kade asked her, his hands slipping to her lowerback. He embraced her loosely. His gesture made it seem like she could run off from him anytime she wanted to. As if he'd let her. It was nice for her to think she could.

"You saw it," Kade mused. "Have I not turned down every offer for another concubine? Have I not given you everything you wanted?"

Kade brushed his hand on her cheek. She leaned into his embrace, her lashes fluttering. He suppressed a groan. His attention shifted to her mouth, his groin hardening.

"Have I not allowed you to train with the sword, even though I never liked the idea that my woman could be injured by a blade?" Kade murmured.

Lina nodded. She was entranced by his warm touch. The air outside was cold and biting. His hand took the icy feelings away.

"My sweet wife," he whispered.

Kade slowly bent his head. He wanted to be the only man to witness this vulnerability. Her defense was always lowered around him. He hoped she wasn't like that with any other man. He wished to possess her, body and heart, soul and spirit.

"You'll be the only woman I spoil and savor," Kade swore.

Kade brushed his lips upon hers, wishing for a kiss. Suddenly, she turned her face and rested it against his chest. Whether it was because she was shy or reluctant, he chuckled.

Kade hugged her into his body. He kissed the top of her head. She smelled nice, despite training in the morning. Her tiny hands grasped his chest.

"In this lifetime and the next, you belong to me," Kade said. "I won't have it any other way."

Lina's heart felt heavy. It shook in her ribcage, reminding herof how deep this love was.

"Should anyone dare to separate us, the heavens will fall and the ground will split. I will wage war with heaven and earth if it means having you in my arms one last time," Kade promised.

"E-even if it means waging war on Teran?" Lina naively asked.

"War is inevitable during our turbulent times," Kade responded.

Lina was terrified. What if there was another war between Ritan and Teran? What if her sacrifice was in vain? When a fight ensued, whose side should she be on? She hoped it was neither. She wished peace would occur for centuries to come.

Suddenly, Lina remembered the letter to her father.

"My father wishes for me to return to Teran," Lina confessed.

Kade's expression darkened. Lucky for her, she didn't see it. Her face was still resting on his powerful chest.

"Stay." Kade uttered the word like a plea, but it was a command. He couldn't let her leave him. He couldn't picture a bed without her warmth, an estate without her laughter, and his arms unable to embrace her.

Kade slipped a hand into her hair. Today, it was let down, with a middle bun. He liked this style, for he could admire her soft locks. He hid expression from her. She deserved to see the best things in life, to touch the grandest of things, and breathe the most healthy air. He didn't want her to see his murderous features.

"Kade…" Lina mumbled. "My father has the best interest at heart. My father—"

"Will be damned to hell if he goes back on his word. You're my wife now, you're not going anywhere," Kade harshly insisted.

The Emperor of Teran was a foolish father. His love for his daughter blinded him. Lina was now a married woman. She was the collateral for this treaty. Should she return, another war would break out between Teran and Ritan.

Lina was worth a thousand battles.

The Emperor of Teran knew that. Kade also knew it. Whether it was Lina's ethereal beauty or her tender heart, she was worth every fallen soldier. But she'd never allow it. She'd blame herself. She was born with not only a golden spoon, but also a golden heart.

"We have good news," Kade finally said, in an attempt to change the topic. "The Eighth Princess has been successfully retrieved. She's estimated to return tonight, which is right now. Soon, I'll visit her."

Lina had never felt more relief. A large mountain was lifted off her shoulders. She let out a sigh, her chest growing light. Her heart raced with excitement.

"I'm so glad!" Lina exclaimed. Her voice was light with joy.

Finally, the Eighth Princess would be safe and sound. She was just a young girl, no more than eight years old. What a miracle.

Lina could sleep easy tonight, knowing everything was right in the world.

"I should prepare her something," Lina  said, growing ecstatic by this astonishing announcement.

"Oh!" Lina chirped. "I know what to do! I can craft a bouquet of all of her favorite flowers from the garden. Though, it might look strange if I try to put all of them together. So maybe I can create multiple bundles. That way, in every corner of her estate, there will be beautiful vases of flowers to remind her of how happy we are that she's returned and—"

"Pft." Kade couldn't suppress his large smile.

Lina's heart stopped. It was the first time she had seen him smile this big. Her entire chest was squeezed. When he smiled like this, it was like all the good was restored to the world. He was even more handsome this way.

"Your little rants are adorable, dove of mine," Kade commented. He meant it. Seeing her talk like a child eager to get every word out humored him.

"I-it happens when my emotions are at an all-time high," Lina admitted.

"I can tell," Kade teased.

Lina lowered her head. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. Did she do that a lot around him? Sometimes she was unable to control herself. Other times, she was unaware of her ramblings. She hoped it didn't annoy him.

Atlan also said it was cute.

At the thought of him, Lina's shoulders fell. If the Eighth Princess had returned, that meant, Atlan failed. Whilst Ritan was celebrating, Teran would be fuming. She didn't know how she should feel anymore.

Lina lived in Ritan. Her children would be citizens of Ritan. But she was raised and born in Teran. Suddenly, she was beginning to develop a double identity.

"What's on your mind?" Kade questioned.

Kade saw the distant look on her face. It only happened when she was deep in thought. Did something happen?

"Well…" Lina trailed off.

All of a sudden, Kade's head snapped behind Lina. He heard rustling in the bushes. Narrowing his eyes, he pushed his woman behind him.

"Don't move," Kade insisted.

Lina froze. She obeyed his commands well. He meant her no harm. As Kade took a step forward, frantic footsteps echoed behind them.

Kade's attention flipped to the direction. Sebastian.

Sebastian looked like he had seen a ghost. His face was pale. His eyes were wide. And it wasn't from running. This time, he genuinely appeared to be on the verge of death.

Immediately after he reached the couple, Sebastian dropped to his knees. He was distraught. The life was drained from his skin. He couldn't believe this horrific turn of events.

"Is the little dumpling home now?" Kade asked.

Sebastian wanted to cry even more. He squeezed his eyes shut. The Prince sounded so enthusiastic. This was one of the first times Sebastian witnessed genuine happiness from the Commander.

"Yes," Sebastian whispered.

"Good, I'll visit her right now—"

"C-Commander…"

Sebastian had never interrupted his Boss. Not once in his lifetime of serving the Seventh Prince had he stepped out of line like this.

"What is it?" Kade muttered.

Sebastian shakily lifted his head, revealing his gaunt expression. This was going to be the end of Teran. There was no going back now. By sunrise, everyone would be aware of this news.

Sebastian's attention flickered to Lina. Lina was going to be chewed up and spat out by the palace. Nothing in the world could save this innocent young woman. Her only crime? Being a citizen of Teran.

"Well?" Kade demanded.

Kade saw Sebastian's features clearly. It didn't take a genius to figure out the situation. Even before Sebastian revealed the news, Kade's world began to spin. He staggered backwards.

Kade realized.

Sebastian knew the Seventh Prince knew.

"Can I visit her?" Lina innocently asked, glancing from the distraught Sebastian to the unresponsive Kade.

What was going on?

"Seventh Prince," Sebastian breathed out. "Princess," he acknowledged.

Sebastian lowered his head in defeat.

"The Eighth Princess is dead."