Chapter 2 Chapter 2 09:02 5 Cloudhaven was Kaelen's mother's hometown . It wasn't far from the border garrison where my grandfather was stationed . I had even visited as a child . The comments were now a raging battlefield of arguments . I ignored them and went straight to the Emperor's study . My father was a deeply paranoid man. If I wanted to leave the palace , I needed a perfect excuse . My grandfather , the renowned General of the Northern Pacification , commanded an army of two hundred thousand men . For weeks , he had been sending memorials to the court , reporting that the border army had not received their pay in months . Their grain supply was so low , it might not even last ten days . But no one at court cared . The only answer was always the same : No ! " The national treasury is empty , " had become their go - to excuse . Fortunately , I had been preparing for a rainy day . I had amassed a considerable fortune from my businesses and had been secretly stockpiling grain . I will trouble you to personally escort the grain supplies to the border , and while you're there ... bring him back to the capital . It will be good for the family to be reunited for the New Year . " A surge of joy went through me . But it was immediately followed by a profound sense of unease . I looked up , and the comments were scrolling frantically . [ The tragedy arc is starting ! This part where they destroy the princess's family is my favorite ! ] [ I switched over from another channel just for this ! I love the tragedy ! The more miserable , the better ! ] [ Don't spoil it , you guys ! She can see the comments !! ] [ We can just speak English , no way she'll get it . ] There were so many , my head started to spin . There were even comments in a foreign language . With great difficulty , I managed to pick out a few useful ones among the chaos . [ It's over ! The General's family is done for ! His success has made him a threat ! ] [ Don't let the old General come back to the capital ! The dog emperor is going to kill him ! ] [ Yesterday , one of the Emperor's lackeys went to him and whispered that if you really marry Kaelen , and with your grandfather controlling the army ... what if ... ] That last comment was like a poison - tipped icicle , plercing through all the pretense , I see . I understood everything . An icy rage shot up from the soles of my feet , chilling me to the bone . It wasn't just because of my father's cruelty . It was because of the live comments that had been my companions for over a month . To see me suffer according to the original storyline , to see my grandfather killed , they had deliberately misled me . The most spammed comment now was : 1/8 09:02 Chapter 2 [ Bring the old General back ! Your mother and grandmother miss him ! ] This single comment was now so prevalent , it drowned out everything else . They were intentionally feeding me false information . 09.02 My father was still waiting for my answer , a rare display of patience . Since he was without mercy , he couldn't blame me for being without loyalty . To hide my trembling hands , I tucked them into my wide sleeves . My face remained a calm mask as I replied , " Your daughter obeys . " Then , with a carefully crafted note of worry in my voice , I changed the subject . " But ... Father , my personal treasury is small . I fear it won't be enough to procure the necessary supplies . Perhaps we could start a donation drive ? The officials of the court eat your grain ; they should lead by example . After all , a secure border is the foundation of our kingdom's stability . " I knew my father's character . As long as it didn't affect his own interests , he would surely agree to something that cost him nothing but brought him praise . The next day , with his tacit approval , I took the Imperial Guard and went straight for the corrupt officials who loved to slander me the most . I extorted a hefty sum from each of them . My reasoning was simple : if I'm donating , then for the good of the country , you should too . I returned with a mountain of treasure , which I immediately converted into grain . Combined with my own stockpile , it was enough to feed two hundred thousand soldiers for over half a year . 6 With everything ready , I went to pay my respects to my mother . Her palace was eerily quiet . A thick , cloying smell of medicine mixed with a damp , cold air hit me as I entered . My mother was my grandfather ' s only child . My father had only married her to keep my grandfather in check at the border . My mother knew this and never vied for his affecti- on , so her palace was always a lonely place . But today , the cold was unnatural . I quickened my pace . She was lying on her chaise , her eyes vacant , her face pale , as if all her life force had been drained away . Only her hand- maiden , Chloe , was by her side . When Chloe saw me , tears streamed down her face . " Her Ladyship ... " Her voice was hoarse , trembling with a post - traumatic fear . " It's thanks to your warning , Your Highness . I've been checking the medicine every day . This morning ... the tonic the Emperor sent ... it had something in it ! If she had drunk that bowl ... her lungs would have been destroyed . She wouldn't have lasted two weeks ... " Chloe was skilled in medicine ; I had specifically placed her with my mother . I had suspected something like this after the comments ' warnings and had prepared accordingly . I just hadn't wanted to believe my father could be so ruthless . I had held onto a sliver of hope that the commen- ts were wrong , that my father genuinely wanted to bring my grandfather back to enjoy a peaceful retirement . But now , for his pathetic throne , for his ridiculous paranoia , he was willing to poison my mother . Just to ensure I would bring my grandfather back . If my mother were gravely ill , my grandfather , who doted on her , would have rushed back without a second thought . And what would have been waiting for him .... I looked at my mother's lifeless eyes . Once a vibrant woman , she was now a gaunt , heartbroken shell . I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms . My decision was made . " Chloe , " I commanded , " stand guard outside . Don't let anyone in . " The room fell silent again . " Mother , " I said , my voice unnaturally clear , filled with a finality that burned all bridges behind me . " Let's ... " " Rebel . " The live comments went absolutely insane , filled with even more colorful greetings for my family . 2/8 09:02 Chapter 2 [ HOLY SHIT !] [ Wait , I thought the princess was just going to convince the old General not to come back !] [ Me too ! I thought just protecting her mother was a huge achievement ! ] [ I was on level one , and the princess is already on level seventy - two ? ] [ I have a terrifying thought ... when the princess was stockpiling grain before , was she already planning a rebellion ? ] 09.02 I smiled at the comments , and for the first time , I taunted them back . " Didn't you all want to see my grandfather come back ? " " Fine . I'll let you see him . " Leading an army of two hundred thousand strong . 7 The decision was made . It was time to act . First , I arranged for my mother . As soon as I left , she would feign a severe illness and " die . " Most of my loyal people would remain in the capital , on standby . Once I successfully convinced my grandfather to rebel , they would escort my grand- mother and the families of the main generals to safety . " The woman's forehead was beaded with sweat . She mumbled a soft " yes . " The comments were filled with laughter . [ Leave my ass ! Kaelen definitely got jealous and sent them all away , hahaha ! ] [ I can smell the jealousy through the screen ! All hail His Majesty ! ] [ My baby male lead has this side to him too ! Mom is so proud ! ] The comments had returned to their previous friendly state . My boldness had won most of them over , and they were now cheering on my rebe- llion . Those who wanted to see the tragedy arc had left when they realized the plot was beyond saving . And a few had decided , well , since we ' re here , might as well see it through . When I finished my meal , Valerius appeared on cue . I didn't waste any time . " The road is dangerous . I'd like to borrow some of your men for an escort . " After all , he had told me to come to him with any requests . " And also ... " I paused , tapping my fingers on the table . " A few of your most skilled shadow guards , for my personal protection . " Valerius raised an eyebrow , his smile deepening . " Princess , forgive my bluntness , but you want men to escort grain to General Gu's army , corr- ect ? And General Gu's army is pointed directly at the Azure Empire's border . Aren't you afraid ... we might just intercept the grain for ourselves ? " His frankness was actually a relief . I waved a dismissive hand . " Master Valerius , you jest . The Azure Empire is powerful . You wouldn't care about such a small amount . " I took a sip of tea . " Besides , if Emberfall were to be conquered by the Azure Empire , it might not be such a bad thing . At least as your citizens , my people could eat their fill , unlike now ... " I couldn't bring myself to describe the current state of my kingdom . " Your Highness ... is truly a remarkable person , " Valerius said . He produced a dark iron token from his sleeve and handed it to me . " The men are ready . They are all elites , awaiting your command . " 8 3/8 09:02 Chapter 2 09.02 The convoy set out immediately . We hadn't gone far before I dealt with the spies my father had planted among us . Less than a hundred miles from the capital , the sound of music and laughter was replaced by cries of anguish . Soon , even the crying stopped , and the world became a silent , black - and - white film . The sights on either side of the road were horrifying . A child wrapped in a tattered blanket sat by the road , already frozen solid . His eyes were still open , and he was clutching a hard clump of mud , his lips cracked into what looked like a smile . A mother was digging through a pile of frozen corpses , searching until she found the small body of her son . She didn't cry , just wrapped him in a straw mat and slowly carried him away . Three people sat numbly in a circle around a cooking pot . I knew at a glance that the meat in that pot was not pork or lamb . It was ... My stomach churned . 1 , a princess , sat high on my horse , wrapped in a fox - fur cloak , surrounded by three thousand elite guards , watching this living hell . The magnif- icent banner of my household fluttered in the wind , a cruel irony . The starving people could only stare . And behind me , a train of grain that could save countless lives , yet I could do nothing . Thankfully , a letter from my grandfather arrived . He said the border wasn't short on grain ; his requests to the court were just a formality to allay suspicion . He told me to do with the grain as I saw fit . I immediately gave the order to distribute it along our route , but only to those who still had a spark of humanity left in them . Those who had become ... something else ... were beyond saving . Even my guards seemed relieved by the order . The refugees and common folk were , of course , immensely grateful . But I knew this grain would only provide a temporary respite . As we neared the border , our grain supply dwindled , but the number of refugees on the road also decreased . In their place were small , newly cultivated fields , dusted with a thin layer of snow . At the foot of the border fortress walls were neat and orderly military farms . Around the barracks , I could even see villages with smoke rising from their chimneys . The air was no longer filled with despair , but with the tenacious sce- nt of life . My grandfather was waiting for me outside the city gates . He was no longer the imposing warrior I remembered from my childhood . He was much older , his beard like frost , but his back was still ramrod straight . He led me into his tent and dismissed his aides . Just like when I was a child , he poured me a cup of wine . " Drink this . Warm yourself up . " I looked at his white hair , and all the carefully prepared speeches I had rehearsed on the journey here got stuck in my throat . " Seraphina , " he said , his voice firm , " out with it . There are no cowards in our family . " His words finally broke the dam I had built around my emotions . My nose stung , and I felt a sudden , overwhelming sense of relief , as if I had finally found a safe harbor . I told him everything - my father's paranoia and murderous intent , my mother's near - death experience . " Grandfather , if you don't believe me , I have found a man who looks just like you . He can impersonate you and head back to the capital , to see if there's an ambush waiting . " I was still trying to convince him , but he cut me off . " I believe you . " His deep - set eyes were fixed on me , his tone resolute . " Seraphina , you already have a plan . " I took a deep breath , dropped to my knees , and said , " Grandfather , let's rebel . " I had thought he would be the hardest to convince . He had dedicated his entire life to defending Emberfall , leaving his wife and daughter behind . His loyalty was beyond question . But I had forgotten : he was loyal to the country and its people , not to a foolish king . He was old , but he was not rigid . To feed the people on the border , he had secretly ordered his soldiers to cultivate land and trade with the Azure Empire . After hearing my proposal , he didn't hesitate for a second . " Alright ," he said . " We rebel . " 9 4/8 09:02 Chapter 2 09.02 Late that night , I sat alone on the battlements , looking towards Cloudhaven I was planning to go find Kaelen tomorrow . I didn't care if the prev ious comments had been trying to provoke me or stop me from changing the plot . I had a mouth . I could ask him myself . Suddenly , a gust of wind , and a figure landed silently beside me . I jumped , my hand flying to the hilt of my sword . It was Kaelen . My heart leaped into my throat . I didn't know if it was from shock or joy . " What are you doing here ? " I whispered , looking around nervously . " This is an Emberfall military camp . You'll be in trouble if you're seen . " His shoulders were still dusted with frost . He looked as cold and handsome as ever , just a little more tired . He sat down beside me without a care in the world . " A shadow guard reported that your father knows about the grain shipment . He has secretly ordered the provincial governments along your route to assemble their forces . The moment you start back to the capital , they will intercept and kill you at any cost . " When I didn't respond , he turned to look at me . His deep eyes reflected the starlight , and also my own foolishly happy expression . I wanted to hug him so badly . " I'm so happy today ! " I blurted out . He seemed confused by my non - sequitur . He thought I didn't believe him and was about to say more . " I believe you ! " I said quickly . " I believe you ! I'm just so happy that you came to find me ! " At my words , the tension in his shoulders seemed to ease slightly . He took out a dark iron command token , carved with a coiled dragon . " This can mobilize the eight thousand Dragon Scale Guards I have stationed at the border . They are my personal death squadron , unmatched in batt- le . They will protect you and your grandfather to the death . " He paused , waiting for me to take it , then continued . " The token Valerius gave you can command all our spies , agents , strongholds , and banks within Emberfall . You ... may use them as you see fit . " His voice was low , as if he were discussing something mundane . But he was handing me the eyes , ears , and claws of the Azure Empire within my own country . " Kaelen ! " I looked up , meeting his bottomless gaze . " Aren't you afraid ... that I'll turn your own forces against the Azure Empire ? " He looked at me , the firelight from the braziers dancing in his eyes , a faint but clear smile spreading across his lips . " I trust you , too . " His voice was steady and firm . Faced with such beauty , I couldn't resist . I leaned in and planted a kiss on his cheek . We both froze . " Seraphina ! What do you two think you're doing ? " My grandfather's voice boomed from behind me , so startling me I nearly fell off the wall . Kaelen caught me just in time . I jumped in front of him protectively " Grand ... Grandfather , he ... he's ... " Kaelen gently patted my shoulder . " It's alright . The General knew I was coming " Me : ? ! " You ... you two ... " Wasn't this treason ? No , wait , we were all about to commit treason anyway . What did it matter ? My grandfather was still furning , letting out a sharp " Hmph ! " 5/8 09:02 0003 Chapter 2 His second - in - command explained that our two kingdoms hadn't been at war for a long time . Every battle had resulted in countless casualties . With the court withholding supplies , the soldiers ' lives had become unbearable . It was Kaelen who had approached my grandfather and sign- ed a gentleman's agreement Instead of pointless bloodshed , they would have a truce . The soldiers and people on the border needed to survi- ve . They cultivated land , and Kaelen sent men with designs for waterwheels and new crop varieties . The soldiers no longer had to risk their lives every day and could support the growing number of refugees . I understood . No wonder the border region had been so full of life . " Your Highness may not know , " the deputy said , lowering his voice conspiratorially , " but when His Majesty wanted to marry you off , it was the old General who requested that the Emperor of the Azure Empire personally come to the capital to get you out of it . " Me : ? ! No wonder Kaelen had graced my father's birthday with his presence . My grandfather had asked him to come . My grandfather looked even angrier now , clearly remembering my " bold " move from earlier . His white beard bristled with indignation as he glared at Kaelen . He let out another heavy " Hmph ! " " Little did I know I was letting a wolf into the sheepfold ! " Kaelen's expression was calm as he bowed respectfully to my grandfather . But I was the only one who saw the tips of his ears turn bright red . 10 Before we set out , I secretly sent orders to the capital to have my grandmother , mother , and the families of our main generals moved to a safe location . With the token Kaelen had given me , the operation went off without a hitch . In the border camp , banners snapped in the wind . My grandfather , clad in his armor , sat astride his aging warhorse , looking down at the soldie- rs assembled before him . His voice was low and steady . " How many of you have ever been envious of the Azure Empire ? " The soldiers exchanged glances . No one dared to speak . After a moment , a few hands slowly went up , then a few more . My grandfather continued , " I know some of you have sisters who married men from there , brothers who went there to farm , parents who bec- ame their citizens . Why ? Because over there , they can eat their fill ! They have hope ! " He turned to me . " Seraphina , this rebellion is not for me , nor is it for you . I am old . I don't care who sits on that throne . My demand is simple : that these men who follow me can live ! That they can marry and have children ! That their families can have enough to eat ! " The soldiers were deeply moved . Some were secretly wiping away tears . Such a simple wish , yet so unattainable . " If you are willing to fight with your backs against the wall , " my grandfather roared , " then this old man ... will fight one last time ! " " FIGHT ! FIGHT ! FIGHT ! " The soldiers ' roars echoed through the valley . The two hundred thousand strong army split into three columns and surged from the border like a tide , heading straight for the capital . The journey was surprisingly smooth Cowardly officials , upon hearing that the old General was leading an army against them , abandoned their cities and fled The cleverer ones surrendered immediately , offering their full cooperation . In some cities where the officials tried to mount a resistance , the gates were secretly opened by the common people . Because I had distributed grain along my route , saving countless lives , the people recognized the banner of my household and spontaneously rose up against the court . I finally understood the meaning of " he who wins the hearts of the people , wins the world . " In every city we liberated , we immediately implemented new policies based on those of the Azure Empire : reducing taxes , distributing grain , resettling refugees , cultivating land , and stabilizing prices . The most horrifying discovery was the granaries of the nobles and officials , overfl- owing with grain they refused to share with the starving masses . As we neared the capital , people were already burning Incense and kowtowing on the sides of the road . 6/8 09:03 Chapter 7 " The princess is here ! The old General is finally here ! " " We finally have a way to live ! " " We have food " Their cheers were like a fire , spreading far and wide , burning ever brighter . 09.03 When I saw my father again , he had lost his mind . He showed no remorse , no guilt . He just cursed me for being unfilial , cursed my grandfather for being disloyal . His only regret was not having killed us sooner . 11 I did not ascend the throne . I established Emberfall as a " Special Economic Zone " of the Azure Empire - politically autonomous , but with significant economic support . I learned the term from the live comments . In front of all the civil and military officials in the throne room , I put on a grand performance , whining and pleading with Kaelen for benefits . " Your Majesty , Emberfall is in ruins , and our people are struggling . You must provide us with special support , " I cooed . " We need funds , capable officials , open trade routes , and new technology . As you know ... " The ministers below were all twitching . My grandfather just shot me an exasperated look . Kaelen , sitting on the throne above , listened patiently . " Mm . As you wish . " I pressed my advantage . " And we must not have any political interference from you . The appointment of officials , the revision of laws , the gov- ernance of the people - all will be decided by us . " His gaze was gentle . " You have the final say . " The ministers ' twitches became more violent . After the court session , I pestered him . " Why are you so good to me ? " He hesitated , pressing his lips together , then finally said , " We knew each other as children . " I looked up at him , a smile in my eyes . " I know . " Now it was his turn to be stunned . Just like when we were children , I stood on my tiptoes and patted his head . " You were so handsome . Of course I remember you . " When I was little , I had visited my grandfather at the border . Kaelen had been visiting his own grandmother in Cloudhaven with his mother . Curious about Emberfall , he had snuck across the border alone . I was naturally outgoing , especially with handsome boys . I remember he was like a little ice cube , refusing to talk to me no matter what I said . I had just found some transmigration novels in the archives , so I started telli- ng him the stones from the books . When he heard about things like hybrid rice , waterwheels , and legal reforms , his eyes lit up . But soon after , his mother's guards found him and took him back to the Azure Empire He looked at me , his gaze steady " Do you remember the wish you made back then ? " " You said you wished for a world where the four seas were abundant , where all people were well - fed and warm , where all things were equal , and where the common folk could live in peace " " Now , you can make it happen . " 12 Ever since I decided to rebel , I rarely looked at the live comments anymore . It's no fun when you always have the cheat codes . One must forge one's own destiny . But they were still like old friends to me . I would occasionally check in , see them gossiping , complaining about new policies , or arguing about 7/8 09:03 09.03 Chapter 2 which hairpin and dress 1 should wear . One day , I opened the comments . They were discussing the original ending I just realized , in the original plot , the male lead wasn't at the Emperor of Emberfall's birthday ] [ Yeah , that's why the princess married the Lyrian prince and was tortured to death ' ] [ After the princess died a miserable death , the male lead conquered the Lyrian Kingdom . And after the old General's family was killed , he con- quered Emberfall . Doesn't that seem ... a little suspicious ? ] [ Sigh , in the original plot , what did it matter if the male lead united the world ? He still died alone . ] [ Don't be sad , guys ! He has the little princess with him now ! ] I looked over at Kaelen . He was leaning against the railing of the pavilion , the sunlight filtering through the leaves and dappling his shoulders , serene and beautiful . As if sensing my gaze , he looked up at me . The corner of his lips curved into a smile . The live comments exploded . [AAAAAAAH ! MY BABY SMILED AGAIN !!! ] Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!