Martyrs of the Nation

Including his two bodyguards, and Wendy Zhu.

She saw Grace and her companions walk out of the room perfectly unharmed. Empress Wendy's smile was flawless.

"Empress!" Colin Gu called out.

"Your Majesty?" Wendy Zhu replied.

"Where's Gavin?"

"Chief Gavin... I honestly don't know!" Empress Wendy said. "He's always with Your Majesty, how could I possibly keep track of him?"

"He hasn't brought food for days. Did you know that?"

"Uh... I didn't know." Empress Wendy's eyes flickered.

Colin Gu gave her a look and said, "Someone, go find Gavin for me! If he's alive, I want to see him! If he's dead, I want to see the body!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the head bodyguard answered.

"Let's head out first," Colin Gu said, and ushered the three of them out.

...

On the way, Grace kept pinching herself.

She wondered if she was having a nightmare.

But as they walked through the rear garden and into the main hall, everywhere was decorated for the celebration, and the air was filled with the joy of victory.

She tried to convince herself it was just a painfully real dream—one that hurt when she pinched herself. But Colin Gu suddenly pulled her into his arms. His voice sounded above her head: "Grace... we can finally be together!"

Grace snapped back to reality, hurriedly pushed Colin Gu away, and looked around.

They had arrived at Empress Wendy's Western Palace. The others had already gone inside, leaving only Grace and Colin Gu in the garden.

"Your Majesty, what do you mean?" Grace asked.

"Henry Tuoba is nothing but a stray dog now," Colin Gu said. "He can't tear us apart anymore."

Grace: "A stray dog?"

"Three days ago," Colin Gu said, unable to contain his excitement. "King Skyroc has ascended the throne.

And he issued a decree: all the former Windspire Kingdom territory, plus five cities in Blue Moon Kingdom's east, are now officially part of Blue Moon!

Most importantly, the new emperor of the High Kingdom has gifted Blue Moon ten more Spirit Trees!

Grace swallowed hard and asked, "...Is my father really okay?"

Her father and Evan Xiao had planned to rebel with their troops.

If King Skyroc has taken the throne, how could the two of them possibly come back alive?

Colin Gu said, "Didn't I just tell you? Your father wasn't hurt. He's perfectly fine!"

"What about everyone else? Uncle Shen—is he okay? Were there heavy casualties?" Honestly, she was really asking about Evan Xiao.

"Not many casualties, but... sigh!" Colin Gu let out a long sigh.

"What happened?"

"General Evan Xiao and Miss Belle... both died for the nation," Colin Gu said gravely. "I was planning to make Evan Xiao a king when we returned. What a pity!"

Grace narrowed her eyes. "Both died for the nation?"

Colin Gu nodded. "Their squad ran into Henry Tuoba's fleeing party and fought fiercely. In the end, Evan Xiao couldn't overcome the High Kingdom's elite..."

Grace didn't believe a word of it.

Whether he said Evan Xiao fought Henry Tuoba, or that Evan Xiao was dead—she didn't believe a single word!

Grace gave Colin Gu a sincere look. "Your Majesty, I know you've lost your beloved general and you're grieving. Please take care of yourself—for the sake of the dragon throne."

Colin Gu studied her, then suddenly smiled, nodded, and said, "Let's go inside."

So the two of them went in, one after the other.

Empress Wendy saw the two of them enter, one after the other, and ground her teeth in envy.