Chapter 4

The last bit of affection in Christine's eyes disappeared completely.

She bent down and brushed her slender fingers against my twisted, pain-stricken face. Then, she suddenly smiled.

"It's only a face. Why are you so concerned about it? You know I never leave my sword behind. Yet you actually used the ridiculous excuse that my sword was poisoned just to make me take you to a physician.

"Jonathan, we've known each other since we were children. You should know better than anyone that I've never been someone who cares about appearances."

The tears at the corners of my eyes slid down onto the back of her hand.

Christine immediately pulled her hand away, as if she had been burned.

Looking at her reaction, I endured the pain and spoke slowly.

"Christine, remember this. The pain you caused me today, I'll return it to you twice over someday."

Nathan immediately stepped forward, his face filled with indignation as he stood in front of Christine.

"Jonathan, it's one thing if you don't thank my wife, but why would you curse her? If your appearance truly matters that much to you, then I'm willing to ruin my face with you today. I only ask that you and my wife let go of the resentment in your hearts."

After saying that, he snatched the sword and pretended to drag it toward his own neck.

But in the next second, Christine knocked the sword away with a burst of force from her palm.

Nathan fell into her arms.

Christine's eyes were filled with anger.

"Nathan, why would you do something so foolish? You're always thinking about Jonathan, but has he ever spared a single thought for you?"

She glanced coldly at me lying on the ground, my body still shaking from the pain.

A cruel smile appeared on her lips.

"Jonathan, according to military rules, those who make mistakes must pay the price."

Her words made the unease in my heart grow stronger.

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

The next moment, she ordered someone to bring in a coffin.

"I've thought it through. Since you'll have to be buried with Princess Selena sooner or later, it's better if I send you to the palace ahead of time. That way, I can rescue you sooner."

After saying that, she ordered the servants to place me inside the coffin.

"No. Christine, you can't do this to me! I've been poisoned. I won't even survive long enough for you to come and save me!"

The sound of me desperately pounding against the coffin lid did nothing but make the coldness in Christine's expression deepen.

She turned to the servants.

"Seal the coffin tightly. Use wax oil to close it completely. Jonathan knows how to hold his breath anyway. This will also prevent the people in the palace from being frightened when they see his face."

The servants carried the coffin into the palace, announcing that the person inside was Selena's future husband.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

It was the final deadline the royal physicians had given for Selena's life.

As a female general, Christine had already brought Nathan and the rest of her family to the palace to pay their respects.

But the moment she stepped inside, she froze.

There were no black funeral banners anywhere.

Instead, a white velvet carpet stretched beneath her feet, leading all the way to the Azure Palace, where Selena lived.

Bright lamps hung from the beams overhead. The palace servants were smiling brightly, and the surrounding ministers were offering congratulations.

Christine frowned, confusion flashing across her face.

"What is going on? Isn't this a funeral? Why is everything..."

Before she could finish, a nearby minister interrupted her.

"General Smith, could it be that you haven't received the news yet?"

Christine's heart tightened. Her fingers curled like claws as she grabbed the minister by his collar.

"What happened?"

But before the minister could answer, the voice of a palace attendant rang out from nearby.

"Princess Selena and her prince consort have arrived. Clear the way immediately!"