The morning sun cast a golden glow over the palace grounds as the preparations for departure were completed. A grand carriage, draped in luxurious red fabric and adorned with intricate golden embroidery, stood at the center of the courtyard. The emblem of the royal family shimmered under the light, signifying the importance of this journey.
Surrounding the carriage was a vast cavalry of elite soldiers, dressed in gleaming armor, their horses standing tall and disciplined. Their presence alone was a testament to the significance of the event—this was not just a journey; it was a statement of power.
Inside the carriage, Zhang Se sat across from the princess. The soft cushions beneath them provided comfort, but there was an unspoken tension in the air.
The princess adjusted the delicate veil covering her head and glanced at Zhang Se. "Are you ready?" she asked softly.
Zhang Se met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "As ready as I can be."
She smiled faintly. "You're going home."
Zhang Se didn't reply immediately. Was it still home? With his father gone and his brothers turning against each other, the kingdom he once knew was now a battlefield in waiting.
The carriage jolted slightly as the wheels began to turn, and soon, the massive convoy set off toward Zhang Se's kingdom. The rhythmic sound of hooves against the ground filled the air, accompanied by the occasional calls of soldiers keeping formation.
Zhang Se pulled the wooden tag from his sleeve and stared at the spider engraving. The King's words echoed in his mind.
"You have access to all my Spiders across the world… Use them well—to protect my daughter and to fight your brothers."
He tightened his grip. This journey —it was the beginning of a war.
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As the royal carriage rolled steadily down the road, the rhythmic clatter of hooves and the murmurs of soldiers filled the air. Inside, however, silence stretched between Zhang Se and the princess.
She finally broke it. "You haven't said much since we left."
Zhang Se glanced at her before looking away. "There's a lot on my mind."
She studied him. "Your brothers?"
He exhaled sharply. "Them. The throne. My father's death… everything." He hesitated before adding, "And you."
She raised an eyebrow. "Me?"
Zhang Se gave a small, wry smile. "We're supposed to be married soon, aren't we?"
The princess chuckled softly. "Yes. Is that a problem?"
"It's just… unexpected," Zhang Se admitted. "I never thought I'd marry for anything other than love, and so soon."
She looked out the window, her voice quieter. "Neither did I. But in our world, love is a luxury few can afford."
Zhang Se watched her carefully. "Do you hate this arrangement?"
She turned back to him, her expression unreadable. "No. But I do wonder… what kind of future we'll have."
He leaned back, fingers absentmindedly tracing the wooden tag the king had given him. "That depends on how this war unfolds. If I survive, maybe we'll have time to figure it out."
"You're already thinking about survival," she said with a sigh. "You haven't changed since we were children. Always thinking negatively."
He met her gaze. "Shouldn't I be?"
She didn't answer right away. Instead, she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a delicate jade pendant. Holding it out to him, she said, "Take this."
Zhang Se frowned. "What is it?"
"A protection charm." She placed it in his palm. "My mother gave it to me as a child. She said it would keep me safe."
He turned the pendant between his fingers, feeling the cool jade against his skin. "You're giving it to me?"
She nodded. "I have my own ways of staying safe." A faint energy pulsed from her body—so subtle he almost missed it. Zhang Se's eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing.
"For you, though," she continued, "you're walking into a battlefield."
A warmth spread through Zhang Se's chest, unfamiliar yet not unwelcome. He tightened his grip on the charm and gave her a small nod. "Thank you."
The princess smiled faintly. "Just don't die, Zhang Se. If I'm forced to marry you, I'd rather not have to mourn you too."
Zhang Se smirked. "No promises."
Zhang Se closed his eyes, trying to rest his mind for a moment. The journey ahead was long, and he needed every ounce of energy he could preserve.
But then—he felt it. A shift in the air. A presence.
His instincts screamed at him, and without thinking, he tilted his head to the side.
Thud!
An arrow struck the carriage seat exactly where his head had been moments ago. Zhang Se's eyes snapped open, his body tense as he stared at the black-fletched arrow embedded beside him.
At its end fluttered a small flag, inked with a familiar sigil.
The Shadow Sect.