Part 2The Brothel and the Battle

Seraphina’s involvement was what I found most difficult to accept. She was not only my lawfully wedded wife, but she had once saved my life. So why, then, would she conspire to destroy me?

I met Seraphina’s gaze as she prepared to unfasten my robes, and asked, my voice low and earnest, “Seraphina, have I not treated you well?”

She blushed, a shy smile gracing her lips, and nodded. “My lord has been exceedingly kind to me.”

Her innocent demeanor left me momentarily stunned. In my past life, it was she who had testified that I reveled in wanton slaughter, convincing everyone that I had intentionally allowed the enemy into the city.

So I pressed gently, my voice soft as silk, “Years ago, when you saved my life, I gave you a personal jade pendant. Would you be willing to show it to me again?”

Seraphina paused, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Of course, my lord. I shall retrieve it from my family estate at once.”

I smiled faintly, gently pushing her hands away. “You go ahead and prepare the incense. I’ll join you after I’ve bathed.”

The moment Seraphina left, I summoned my shadow guards. “Investigate several matters. Spare no expense.”

In this life, I would protect myself. And I would protect this city.

While Seraphina was occupied with the incense, I secretly made my way to Veridian City’s most renowned brothel, The Nightingale’s Nest. I selected a few courtesans, but it was the silent, plain-faced Elara that I pulled close, sharing my wine with her.

Late into the night, Seraphina suddenly kicked open my chamber door. “You’re here drinking and carousing while the enemy is at the city gates!”

In my previous life, I had heard her frantic news back at my mansion, and without a second thought, without even sending scouts to verify the threat, I had charged out with my personal guard. But then, her eyes had been filled with genuine panic. This time, as I sat here, playing the part of a dissolute rake, her anxiety seemed to hold a perverse undercurrent of excitement.

I had hidden myself in a brothel, and she still found me. It seemed this night’s performance, she was determined to drag me into.

I took a slow sip of wine, feigning disinterest. “You’ve come to the wrong person, my lady. The Imperial Guard of Veridian City falls under Prince Lysander’s command. The city’s safety is his responsibility.”

Seraphina let out a frustrated, almost shrill gasp, her composure cracking. “Arthur! Is that a human thing to say?! And you call yourself a Commander! At a time of such devastation, you speak of division of labor?”

Her voice rose. “Do you think I’m lying to you? Your presence here in a brothel is disappointing, but how could I joke about something so grave?”

With that, she flung open the window. Sure enough, in the distance, plumes of fire flickered atop the city walls, and the sounds of screams echoed through the night.

Yet, I remained unmoved. I even leaned in closer to Elara, gently brushing her hair, feeding her wine from my lips to hers.

Seraphina, infuriated, hurled a wine pot at the table. “Arthur, as a member of the Royal Family, can you truly indulge in pleasure while abandoning our people? You are utterly debauched and shameless!”

She stomped her foot in exasperation. “Quickly, send your army to engage them! If they breach the city, every citizen will suffer!”

I leisurely picked up a pastry from the table, taking a bite. “I advise you to summon Prince Lysander. I dare not move my troops within the city without explicit Imperial orders.”

Seraphina’s eyes blazed, brimming with tears. “You speak of being the Commander of the Imperial Armies, yet you are nothing but a coward, bound by archaic rules! You would disregard the lives of our people to avoid offending the Crown!”

I was moments away from applauding her passionate speech when Prince Lysander, flanked by a few of his personal guards, arrived.

“Brother Arthur! What are you still doing here? Quickly, command your forces to engage the enemy!”

I casually plucked a grape Elara offered with my lips. “Your Highness, you command the Imperial Guard. Why aren’t you fulfilling your duties, instead of watching me drink in a brothel?”

In my previous life, Lysander’s Imperial Guard had been severely lacking in battle-ready equipment. I had promptly diverted a portion of my own army’s resources to him. Both the horses and the bows had been perfectly functional then. For Lysander’s safety, I had even personally requested to lead the front lines, and from the city walls, I had watched the enemy retreat with my own eyes. To guard against deception, I had even dispatched a small, elite unit to scout the enemy lines, confirming their panicked flight before I returned to my mansion to rest.

But when I woke, the city was filled with wails of agony, bodies littered the streets, and the citizens glared at me with such hatred they wished to flay me alive.

How could it have happened?