The Proposal The War God stayed stunned for a while, unable to say a word.
Cassandra chuckled, observing his baffled expression for the first time.
Did he really… not know? She got a bit closer and put a quick peck on his lips, despite her shyness.
Her heart was filled with something warm and sweet, and that secure feeling whenever that man was close.
Kairen didnt stay frozen for long, though.
The Princes eyes got down to her lips and he threw her in for a much more intense, deep kiss.
Cassandra helplessly blushed, feeling his lips and tongue claiming her so fiercely.
His caresses on her skin were still gentle, though.
It had a slightly different taste to it… When they separated, Cassandra couldnt help but smile, a bit out of breath.
Arent you going to answer me? She whispered gently.
Kairen stayed silent for a while, scrutinizing her very seriously.
After a while, he took a deep breath, looking stern.
Marry me, Cassandra.
The young concubine was so taken by surprise and expecting anything but those words, it took her a few seconds to understand what he had just said.
To marry him? Her? She was just… and already… Her thoughts got lost in a storm.
After a few seconds, she laughed nervously.
Did you just… The War Gods expression was still as serious.
Cassandra tried to sit up, but he held her wrist and kept her lying down.
You dont want to? He asked.
The young concubine sighed.
…If you marry me, you wont be able to change your mind.
I know.
Even if you meet someone much prettier and younger later, she added.
I know.
What was he thinking? Cassandra wished she was inside his head right now, to understand how the War God functioned.
Certainly not like most men.
Becoming a high-ranked concubine after she had spent eight or nine years as a slave was already something, but becoming someones wife? No normal man would have thought of such a thing.
There was a huge gap between the concubines and the official wife.
A gap so important, most of the concubines in this palace would have killed to hear that sentence.
A mans official wife had an unshakable position.
The Dragon Empire didnt recognize divorces, and even if one of the partners died, the other would never be able to replace him or her.
While concubines could be abandoned or dismissed, an official wife had no worry about that.
Hence, most men of power made sure to marry a woman from a strong background, with good looks and brains.
Cassandra felt like she probably didnt check at least two of those boxes… Cassandra, he softly called her, taking her out of her thinking.
You wont be able to take another concubine, she said.
I wont allow it.

That was one of the powers of the official wife.
No more concubine could be brought by the husband without her consent.
Hence, most men would rather not pick a wife, and have plenty of concubines instead, or made sure their spouse closed their eyes on their new women.
Cassandra already knew she wouldnt be able to do that.
She was already too attached to him, emotionally and physically.
She would rather die than share him with another woman.
woman.
Its fine, replied the Prince, Its not fine… I wont be able to do much to help you.
Im not as smart as your mother, or as powerful as your sister… Cassandra was worried.
If something happened, between him and his brothers, she would be powerless.
She had no backing, nothing to help him.
His brothers wives probably had a lot of money, influence and scholars behind them.
A merchant or a ministers daughter would have been a hundred times better than her to be his wife… However, no matter how much thought she gave it, Cassandra knew that man too well.
He wouldnt change his mind, not for a while.
He was odd, and stubborn about what he wanted or not.
Luckily for her, she was among the things he liked most… She smiled, and leaned in closer to him, stealing another kiss.
He never refused her kisses, and it wouldnt be the case for this one either.
Gently brushing his fingers through her hair, he tasted her sweetness, rolling with her on the bed.
His young concubine was obviously too tired tonight, as her eyes kept closing and her breathing slowed.
The War God was fine with that, she definitely deserved some rest, but… You didnt answer me, he remarked as Cassandra was half-asleep on his torso.
She smiled.
You do that often.
He frowned, wondering what she was talking about, but, before he could figure it out, she had fallen asleep for good.
He sighed, pulling her hand to his lips to kiss her pale skin, and wrapped her in his embrace, closing his eyes too.
The next morning, Cassandra woke up to a horrid feeling.
Something was smelling terribly bad.
She struggled to sit up.
It was so early, it was dawn outside and her Prince was still soundly sleeping next to her.
Yet, she couldnt stay in bed.
She stood up, glancing at the tray of food someone had brought in during their sleep and stumbled to the washbasin.
She was feeling goosebumps and kept gagging above the basin, her head spinning.
Cassandra? Kairen had woken up the second she moved, but now that she really seemed unwell, he rushed to her side, worried.
He had no idea what was going on until Cassandra loudly threw up.
Cassandra, youre sick? Is it poison? The… food… She managed to stutter, pointing at the tray.
The Prince frowned, before understanding that her sickness was due to her pregnancy, not some poisoning.
He grabbed the tray and threw it outside the closest opening, the window, before running back to her.

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6 What do you need? He asked while caressing her hair.
But Cassandra shook her head.
She was just trying to breathe a bit better, but she felt too embarrassed to talk after vomiting.
She had random morning nausea, but this was the first in his presence and the most embarrassing one.
While Kareen knew about the unpleasant consequences of pregnancy, her son was clueless.
Since his concubine couldnt formulate any request, Kairen called for servants to walk in.
Dahlia and another young woman rushed in to help Cassandra, Lady Cassandra, would you like some water? Whispered Dahlia.
P…Please.
Unhappy, Kajren stood to the side with his arms closed, watching the two servants help his concubine.
He hated being unable to help, but this was a womans matter.
If Cassandra was uncomfortable with his help, hed rather do nothing and let those servants help her.
After a few minutes, Cassandra was able to sit down and talk.
The Prince by her side, rubbing her back, she listed out to Dahlia the ingredients and smell that usually triggered her nausea, or made it worse.
The young servant nodded all along.
I will make sure the kitchen knows, Lady Cassandra.
As Dhalia stood up to leave, Kairen watched her and turned to Cassandra.
You can make her your private servant, he suggested.
To his surprise, Cassandras eyes widened in surprise.
Really? He had thought she would straight out refuse the idea, but on the contrary, she seemed to love it.
He nodded.
Are you better now? Yes… I would even feel a bit hungry, to be honest.
This baby is really moody… Kairen nodded and put a hand on the little bump.
His son.
That child better be good to his mother once hed be born… After a while, Dahlia reappeared with a different tray, and some specific food Cassandra had requested.
The only thing they could find was a variety of nuts that grew further south, which made the Prince frown.
Cassandra, however, was satisfied with what Dahlia had gathered in such a short time.
She cleaned herself up a bit, got changed and decided to eat in the closest open space, as she didnt want to stay in the room where she had just puked minutes ago.
The Prince followed her closely, to everyones surprise.
Imperial servants couldnt help but stare at the War God, who was accompanying his concubine like she was some precious treasure to be watched closely.
As soon as they sat in the garden, Krai appeared over their heads and even bickered with his master to sit the closest possible to the Concubine.
Watching this scene, with Cassandra chuckling between them, Dahlia couldnt help but feel like she was probably the luckiest Concubine around… Can we go search around the brothels today? Suddenly asked Cassandra, turning to the Prince.
Kairen frowned.
Youre sick.
Im not sick, Im pregnant… I will be fine.
Dahlia can take care of my needs.
The young servant avidly nodded.

Kairen glared at her, immediately having her look down in fear.
No.
I wont be able to accompany you.
He probably had more to do with the Emperor and his military advisors today again, but Cassandra was tired of doing nothing but get lost and sip tea with his mother.
She took a deep breath, and insisted a bit longer.
Please… Ill probably be safer there than here.
That part was right.
With her pink dress and an Imperial servant following her, no one would dare to lift a finger at her.
In the Palace, however, she could be attacked at any time.
The Prince kept frowning, though.
He didnt like having her in a different place.
It was fine when she was with his mother in the Diamond Palace, but… …Go with Shareen, he finally said.
Cassandra smiled wide, unable to hide her satisfaction.
She could finally start looking seriously for her younger sister! Moreover, she would definitely be safe with an Imperial Princess.
She kissed his scratchy cheek swiftly.
Thank you, she whispered.
This simple kiss stopped him from frowning.
He sighed, defeated, and kissed her back, meaning it was time for Dahlia to leave discreetly.
A couple of hours later, Dahlia was surprised to see the young concubine again, still accompanied by the Dragon.
She had heard from other servants about how the beast was so attached to her, but seeing it like this was different.
Any move Cassandra made, Krai was watching, like a curious dog following his master.
He struggled to follow her with his huge body, sometimes crawling over the buildings and growling at the servants that appeared out of nowhere.
When Shareen arrived, though, he didnt dare say a thing at her.
The red district? Really? Asked the Princess.
I am looking for my younger sister, explained Cassandra.
My best chance to find her is there… I see.
How well, that might be one fun outing, said Shareen.
And it gives me an excuse to avoid mothers nagging at my lifestyle… Shareens way to have fun wasnt to her mothers taste.
Hence, Kareen usually resorted to a silent protest by visiting her from dawn until dusk, unless the Princess was busy elsewhere.
To Cassandras surprise, Shareen was the most involved Princess in the Empires politics.
She attended most of the meetings along with her brothers and didnt lose to any man in the room.
She was well respected in most circles for being a smart and strong woman, who didnt need a man to back her up, not even her own father.
Like the other members of her family, she had a short temper, however.
Bringing her sword to meetings wasnt just for decorative purposes.
As the women left the Palace, Cassandra felt like a big weight taken off her shoulders.
She really couldnt relax in this place without the Prince around…