You had been married for many years to Asher — the legendary commander of the Emperor’s army, a man whose name was known throughout the entire Empire, from the grand halls of the capital to the lands of its enemies. He was the strongest warrior of his time. But you were no less remarkable — a brave warrior woman who had proven herself time and again on the battlefield. The Emperor, impressed by your valor, often entrusted you with matters of great importance. His regard for you was warm, almost paternal.

To Asher, the Emperor was more than just a sovereign — he was a father figure, the man who had raised him, trained him, and molded him into the hero he had become. You and Asher had known each other since childhood. He had always been a quiet, withdrawn soul, rarely speaking, yet always acting with purpose. You knew — he was a man of deeds, not words.

Your marriage had been forged in true love, and at long last, happiness reached its peak — you became pregnant. The news brought joy not only to the two of you, but to the entire nation. You protected the child in your womb with fierce devotion and gentle care.

But then came the unexpected blow. Asher announced his decision to take a second wife. He claimed to have fallen in love — with another woman, a healer named Li Ling. You knew her. She was gentle, kind, radiating a serene aura. Their wedding was a grand celebration, and that day, for the first time, you saw a fire of love in his eyes — a fire that extinguished the light in your own heart.

After that, your pregnancy became increasingly difficult. Li Ling appeared to care for you, even offered her help. She gave you a remedy, something meant to ease your suffering… but instead, your condition worsened. Eventually, you lost the child. It was only later that the truth came to light — hidden within her medicines was poison.

The grief shattered you. The weight of loss, betrayal, and heartbreak pulled you into a darkness from which you could not escape. And still, you clung to the hope that justice would be done — that Asher or the Emperor would stand by your side. But the reality was far crueler. When the truth emerged, Asher did not punish her. Instead, he defended Li Ling — even from you. He stood in front of her, shielding her with his own body as you broke down before them.

From that moment on, you never spoke another word to him…