"Lana... Sister."
Yuna Ji's eyes brimmed with tears as she gazed at Lana Grant, whose face was deathly pale as she lay in bed. Nearby, King Grant clutched his chest, his entire face twisted in agony.
"The Zou Clan has around two hundred thousand soldiers now, ready to strike at the pass on the central right at any moment. I want to mobilize a hundred thousand troops from Grant City to the right pass. I'll command them myself—they won't return alive. I've already ordered Edward Grant to be locked up by the soldiers."
King Grant nodded silently and waved his hand, signaling the generals to obey Joseph Qiao.
Then Joseph Qiao grabbed King Grant, intending to lead him away, but King Grant forcefully shook off his hand and staggered step by step to Lana Grant's side.
"Lana..."
"Heh, we’re nothing but your merchandise, aren’t we? Just goods. Yuna Ji, you’re the same—Father’s property, something he trades for power. Hahaha..."
Lana Grant’s shrill laughter made everyone’s skin crawl. King Grant raised his hand, his eyes utterly devoid of light. He began to sway, and Joseph Qiao rushed over to support him. King Grant’s complexion was dire, and he quickly ordered others to take King Grant away.
"Yuna Ji, you should leave too. Let Sister Lana rest."
Joseph Qiao spoke, pulling at Yuna Ji, his eyes full of helplessness. Yet Yuna Ji did not move an inch.
"I'm fine."
After forcing a smile, Joseph Qiao nodded.
"Come to the front lines in a few days. Maybe only you can persuade your elder brother."
Yuna Ji nodded. After Joseph Qiao left, Lana Grant was still laughing, her voice filled with desolation.
"Yuna Ji, are you there?"
Lana Grant reached out, and Yuna Ji hurried closer, extending her hand. An icy cold hand gripped her wrist tightly.
"Yuna Ji, do you know? From the start, I refused. I had someone I loved—I didn’t want to ruin my life. So many times I screamed and cried, hoping Father would change his mind, but even knowing it was hell, he still pushed me in. Heh... You’re the same, aren’t you, Yuna Ji? Next year, you’ll be married off to Jiang Territory, won’t you?"
Yuna Ji stared silently at her elder sister, her face twisted in anguish, emotions raging. Then Lana Grant laughed softly and spoke in a ghostly voice.
"Oh, right. War is about to break out. To protect the family, Father has made you our savior. As long as you marry, Jiang Territory will send troops to help us, right, Yuna Ji? Heh..."
"Second Sister, get some rest. You..."