The Duke's Arrow
Reborn after being murdered by her own husband, Duchess Catherine Pemberton refuses her arranged marriage to Duke Magnus and sets out to rewrite her fate. As Magnus amasses armies for the throne, Catherine allies with his sworn enemy Adrian to protect her duchy and exact vengeance. A tale of betrayal, war, and the price of freedom in a world where love is a weapon.
The Duke's Arrow
Duke Magnus of York had a widowed sister-in-law named Isabella.
She had accompanied Magnus through his rise from poverty to power.
After Magnus gained his title, he never abandoned her.
When people mocked her humble origins, Magnus granted her a noble surname and built her reputation.
She was frail and sensitive to cold, so Magnus conquered Loughborough and spent a fortune building her a heated palace.
When she declared she would never marry another, Magnus publicly proclaimed that as long as he lived, she would always be the Duchess of York.
In the end, to save her, Magnus even killed his own wife with his own arrow.
If I weren't named Catherine Pemberton.
If I weren't that wife Magnus killed with his own arrow.
Perhaps I too would have admired this tale of devotion and honor.
Chapter 1
The setting sun cast long shadows.
The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood, while carrion birds circled overhead, their piercing cries echoing across the battlefield.
"Rebel Magnus, do you recognize who this is?"
I hung from the castle walls, bloodied and bound, my hands and feet tied tight.
From within the walls came another shout: "We offer you the life of your wife, Lady Catherine, in exchange for your immediate retreat. What say you?"
I hung my head, licking my cracked lips. Though anxious, I still held a glimmer of hope.
I had married him at seventeen, winning hearts for his cause, caring for his soldiers, helping him achieve greatness.
He had once been willing to trade three cities for Isabella's life.
Surely now my life was worth his retreat.
I struggled to lift my head, wanting to see Magnus's expression clearly, wanting him to see my face.
But then an arrow, when no one expected it, pierced straight through my throat.
Who had shot it?
I gasped for air in broken breaths, making out the letters carved on the arrow shaft.
M.
Made of ash wood with eagle feathers at the end.
It was Magnus's arrow.
Everyone knew Magnus could hit a target at a hundred paces, could shoot eagles from the sky with his bare hands.
He could have given me a quick death.
Before my senses failed, I heard Magnus's voice:
"The false duchess is dead. Charge! Save the true Duchess!"
Magnus, clad in black armor, led tens of thousands of soldiers toward the gates.
The ground shook with thunder, war cries deafening.
I suddenly remembered I had been struck by Magnus's arrows twice.
Once when I first arrived in York, and once just now.
Chapter 2
In Pemberton, our marriage customs required the groom to carry pomegranate branches when receiving his bride, as a sign of love and respect.
The groom would personally place the pomegranate branch in the bride's hands, then carry her on his back, step by step, home.
Pemberton was famous for its pomegranates.
The pomegranate branch symbolized the couple's shared hope for children and unwavering love.
When I married Magnus, he had just become Duke of York.
Duke Magnus was busy with affairs and couldn't get away.
York was a cold, harsh land that never grew pomegranates.
So the Duke of York couldn't possibly carry pomegranate branches or bend down to carry me through his doors.
I came to York myself, wearing my wedding dress and bringing a hundred ships of dowry.
Before I could even enter the manor gates, Magnus shot the crown from my head with an arrow.
The arrow's force sent me stumbling to the ground.
Magnus sat high on his horse in black robes, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, handsome-faced, showing no trace of his former poverty.
He pulled at his reins, silently appraising me.
The musicians stopped their playing abruptly, everyone frozen by this turn of events, no one helping me up.
I had never been so humiliated in my life. My crown lay pierced on the ground.
My dark hair fell loose behind me, and the pomegranate-patterned fan I could have used to hide my face had long since fallen to the earth.
I turned my face away in embarrassment, eyes red, no longer looking at him.
Horse hooves trampled my fan, leaving deep marks.
Magnus rode to my side and barked:
"Lady Catherine of Pemberton, descendant of royalty, so nobly born?
"I see only a timid mouse, cowardly and weak."
Chapter 3
Magnus said coldly: "Since you've married me, you must know York's rules—
First, you must respect my sister-in-law. Second, you cannot use your family background to be willful and arrogant. Third..."
He looked around at the servants and the endless train of dowry wagons behind:
"Third, you cannot be extravagant and ostentatious."
With that, Magnus wouldn't even spare me a glance as he dismounted and entered the manor.
His lieutenant Thomas immediately stepped forward, bowing to help me up:
"My lady, please don't blame His Grace. The Duke is reserved and humble by nature, he simply cannot stand pompous and arrogant people. He meant no insult to you."
Thomas picked up the fallen crown and placed it on my head.
He glanced at it once, then pressed his lips hard to suppress a smile.
I knew why Thomas was trying not to laugh—the most brilliant pearl on the crown had been shot off by Magnus's arrow and lay shattered on the ground.
Now the crown sat crooked and askew on my head, looking ready to fall apart at any moment, pathetic and ridiculous.
In Pemberton, crowns were set with twin pearls: one found by the groom and given during the engagement, one given by the mother at the wedding.
Finally, both pearls would be set by the father's own hands.
In Pemberton wedding ceremonies, there was a tradition of comparing crowns—whose twin pearls were brighter and more precious, whose daughter was more beloved, whose groom loved his wife more.
Magnus would never seek pearls for me.
My parents had died young; no one would gift or set pearls for me.
So the brilliant pearl on my crown was found by my brother in the deep seas at great expense—unique in the world—and set in the crown by his own hands.
It replaced both the mother's and husband's pearls.
But now it had been shot down by my own husband, rolling on the ground, dirty and broken.
Seeing me on the verge of tears, Thomas quickly stopped smiling: "His Grace didn't mean it, my lady, please don't cry. The Duke doesn't like weeping.
"Besides, knowing you were coming, His Grace specially renovated the manor's pavilions, and the Duchess even gave up her main quarters..."
Chapter 4
In my dying moments, I recalled this past and suddenly realized my accumulated hatred.
Magnus disliked extravagance, so he shot the pearl from my crown, yet spent a fortune building Isabella a palace that stayed warm in all seasons.
Magnus disliked women's tears, so I never wept before him, but Isabella's single tear could earn her a promise worth its weight in gold.
Magnus was cold-hearted, killing his wife with an arrow, but if Isabella had been on those walls today, could he have drawn his bow?
I smiled silently.
Catherine, you know the answer now.
Time seemed to pass in an instant.
Magnus's figure drew closer but slowly blurred.
The chaos and noise around me gradually faded.
I felt my body becoming incredibly light.
Pemberton. I want to return to Pemberton.
In my next life, I won't be a York wife.
Catherine needn't suffer the crown's humiliation or die by arrow through the throat.
In Pemberton, my brother waits for Catherine to come home.
Chapter 5
"My lady, my lady."
I opened my eyes suddenly, instinctively touching my throat, gasping for air.
The crown and hairpins in my hair chimed with my movement.
"Look, the black eagle banner—it's His Grace's ship."
I looked where my maid pointed to see a large ship with red silk bindings sailing toward us, its great black eagle banner fluttering in the wind.
I could see the man standing at the bow.
Black robes, jade crown, a heavy sword at his waist, striking in appearance, with pride still evident in his eyes.
It was twenty-year-old Magnus.
I asked my maid, "Where are we?"
The maid looked around: "We've reached Yorkshire waters."
I had returned to before I married Magnus.
The black eagle banner drew closer, and a black-armored general on the ship called out loudly: "Is this Lady Catherine of Pemberton's ship?"
My maid replied joyfully: "Yes, are you sent by His Grace to escort our lady?"
The black-armored general laughed heartily, stepping back behind Magnus:
"His Grace is here himself.
"My master has come personally to escort Lady Catherine home."
Chapter 6
I watched Magnus approach me across the rolling waters, his hands spread wide.
His hands were large, with thick calluses on his palms, now holding a branch of deep red pomegranate blossoms.
Magnus's eyes were gentle, his lips curved in a slight smile.
Suddenly the river stirred with wind and waves, and the years of my past life flowed before my eyes like rushing water.
The cold, stern face Magnus had worn outside those castle walls merged with the present.
I stepped back in panic, refusing to take his pomegranate branch.
"No."
I won't marry.
In this life, I absolutely won't marry.
Seeing this, Magnus frowned in confusion but didn't ask.
He was waiting for me to speak.
I took a deep breath and asked softly:
"I've heard that His Grace's manor houses a widowed sister-in-law who has been with you for years, and that you treat her differently from others.
"If I were to marry, I wonder whether the household would listen to the Duchess or to me."
Magnus breathed a sigh of relief and immediately replied: "Naturally, they would listen to you."
But in my past life, shortly after I married into York, Magnus personally declared that everyone in the household should respect the Duchess above all.
I continued: "What if the Duchess said I was from a noble family, with a willful nature, and worried I would bully her after entering the household? What would His Grace do then?"
Magnus answered without hesitation: "You're not that kind of person."
Yes, I'm not that kind of person.
But then why did you publicly shoot down my crown and let others mock me?
I looked at Magnus without speaking.
I just stepped back two more paces and untied the jade pendant from my waist—this was what Magnus had sent when he proposed.
Looking at the pendant, Magnus seemed to remember something:
"This jade is of poor quality. When you marry into York, I'll personally carve you a new one."
I shook my head.
Then, in front of him, I threw the jade pendant into the river.
With a splash, the pendant sank beneath the waters.
I lifted my chin high, expression proud: "I won't marry the son of a stable boy."
Chapter 7
Before Magnus rose to power, he had been a stable boy born into the old Duke of York's household.
Stable boys were lowly, subject to anyone's abuse.
Until he was fourteen, when he killed a black bear with a single arrow and earned the old Duke's recognition.
The old Duke renamed him, granted him a surname, adopted him as a son, and carefully raised him, giving Magnus his current glory.
After becoming Duke of York, Magnus killed everyone in Yorkshire who had once humiliated him and Isabella.
From then on, most of the world knew only that Magnus became famous at fourteen and was adopted by the old Duke, but not his true origins.
Even so, being a stable boy's son remained Magnus's greatest wound.
But Magnus's expression didn't change, while the black-armored general immediately drew his sword:
"Lady Catherine, my master came all the way from York to welcome you personally, yet you insult him?
"Is this how Pemberton behaves?"
My private guards also drew their swords in response.
The atmosphere grew tense.
I picked up a bow and arrows from nearby.
I looked down at the intricate, luxurious patterns on my wedding dress hem.
In this lifetime, I should have better choices, shouldn't I?
In an instant, I drew the bow and aimed at the jade crown binding Magnus's hair.
Whoosh.
It struck Magnus's jade crown.
The next moment, the crown shattered into pieces.
Chapter 8
I put my trembling hands behind my back:
"Insult? My mother was a royal princess, my father came from the great Pemberton family, my brother became Duke of Pemberton at fifteen.
"I'd like to ask, Magnus, you're nothing but a stable boy who reached your position through base means—how dare you presume to want me!"
Everyone behind Magnus was shocked that I could draw a bow, and even more stunned by my words.
They all looked to Magnus, as if waiting for his word to flay me alive.
But Magnus waved his hand and actually smiled: "Catherine and I..."
"Silence! How dare you speak my name!"
Magnus paused: "The marriage between the lady and myself was arranged entirely by Lady Catherine's brother, Duke Edward. Surely my lady knows this?
"I imagine my lady is angry that I didn't come to Pemberton personally to receive the bride. It was inconsiderate of me.
"I apologize to my lady."
With these words, Magnus actually bowed deeply to me.
I looked at him coldly: "Your Grace needn't use my brother to pressure me. My brother has cherished me since childhood—if he knew of your behavior, he would never marry me to you.
"I am Lady Catherine of Pemberton, and even if I should fall to the depths of poverty someday, I would never marry a stable boy's son!
"Set sail. Return to Pemberton."
Chapter 9
Seeing this, Magnus moved to intercept us.
But another large ship rammed into his, blocking his path.
The ship flew a blue dragon banner—a Yorkshire vessel.
"Well said!"
The voice came from the nearby ship.
I turned toward the sound.
A young man in purple robes and a golden crown, his phoenix eyes slightly upturned as he looked at me.
He leaned against the ship's rail, chewing dried apricots, speaking indistinctly: "A stable boy's son isn't worth marrying. What do you think of me?"
"Adrian!"
Just from the voice, Magnus recognized him.
Adrian.
I savored this name carefully.
In my past life, Adrian had been Magnus's mortal enemy.
By then Magnus had absorbed three great duchies and commanded a million soldiers, yet he was defeated by Adrian.
Later Adrian died of consumption, and only then did Magnus have the chance to swallow Yorkshire.
Hearing Magnus's voice, Adrian merely shifted his position, lazily saying:
"Duke Magnus has been away from York for half a month now. I trust the internal rebellion has been quelled?"
I saw Magnus's expression change slightly from afar.
I immediately understood.
The old Duke had many children, yet his adopted son Magnus ultimately inherited the title—how could the legitimate heirs be satisfied?
Not wanting to entangle further with Magnus, I immediately ordered: "Set sail. Return to Pemberton."
Magnus called out loudly: "I'll give Lady Catherine one month to consider. If she's willing to marry me, I'll personally bring precious pearls for the betrothal."
I laughed coldly: "Even if Catherine Pemberton died, I would never marry you, cold-hearted stable boy.
"Magnus, do you understand me clearly?"
Chapter 10
The blue dragon banner and phoenix banner sailed together toward Pemberton.
Just as we left Yorkshire waters, the blue dragon banner gradually stopped.
I stood on the ship and bowed to Adrian from afar: "Thank you, Lord Adrian, for your assistance."
Adrian waved his hand, smiling to show a canine tooth: "No matter.
"Pemberton is far away, and I snuck out without my brother's knowledge, so I won't escort you further. Fair winds, Lady Catherine."
The purple-robed young man before me was full of youthful vigor, quite different from the rumors of my past life.
In my past life, at the Battle of Trent River.
Magnus was defeated and retreated to York.
Adrian had made an agreement with Magnus.
No matter how great Magnus's ambitions, as long as Adrian lived, Magnus could not lead troops into Yorkshire.
I had seen Adrian from afar while following Magnus.
Though it was only autumn, Adrian already wore white fox fur, his face pale, coughing incessantly as he spoke.
This was the man who stopped Magnus's million-strong army.
"My lady, are we returning to Pemberton?"
I shook my head: "To Thornfield Valley."
Thornfield Valley had physicians, but they were opposed by the world's shamans.
Everyone in the world trusted shamans, only Magnus did not.
When gravely wounded and near death, he still refused shamans.
In my past life, I found physicians from Thornfield Valley for Magnus and saved his life.
In this life, I would find them for my brother.
Chapter 11
When the ship reached Pemberton, it was already evening.
I leaped from the ship and rode hard without stopping to reach Pemberton Manor.
The manor blazed with lights, servants weeping quietly. Seeing me arrive on horseback, their faces lit with joy.
"It's our lady! Our lady has returned!"
In my past life, after suffering Magnus's arrow humiliation, I had written to my brother asking him to bring me home.
But my brother never replied.
It wasn't until half a month after marrying into York that Magnus informed me of my brother's death from illness.
The inner chamber windows were tightly shut, the acrid smell of incense overwhelming.
Servants knelt clustered around the bed.
A group of shamans with ghostly faces, wearing feathered robes and holding wooden staffs, danced chaotic movements around the bed, chanting incomprehensible spells.
I lashed out at the shamans with my whip. They stopped, furious: "Who are you to disturb the spirits' descent!"
I sneered coldly and ordered their removal.
My brother was only twenty-three, in the prime of youth.
But now his temples were gray, his face pale and blue, lying on the bed barely breathing.
My brother's hand hung over the bed's edge, blood flowing from his wrist.
A maid approached hesitantly: "My lady, the shaman master is treating His Grace's illness."
I quickly wrapped my brother's hand with a silk cloth, my voice choking: "Edward..."
My brother frowned and opened his eyes. Seeing me, he became furious: "Catherine!"
He gripped the bed frame with his fingers, spitting up blood: "Why are you here? Where is Magnus?"
My brother gasped roughly, pointing at me: "Kneel!"
I dropped to my knees with a thud: "Edward, I won't marry Magnus."
My brother questioned me repeatedly: "Duke Magnus doesn't understand Pemberton customs, York is busy with affairs, he couldn't personally welcome you—didn't I tell you this?"
"Yes."
"I have urgent matters and cannot personally escort you to York—didn't I tell you this?"
"Yes."
"Didn't I warn you that York is not like Pemberton, and after marrying you cannot be willful and arrogant?"
"Yes."
"Everyone out!"
This last command was for the nearby servants.
Chapter 12
Seeing this, the servants all withdrew from the inner chamber.
My brother supported himself on the bed, shakily rising, raising his hand.
I closed my eyes tightly, but the slap never came.
After a sigh, my brother lowered his hand:
"Then what did you do!
"Why are you still in Pemberton now?"
I wiped my tears with my sleeve: "Magnus is not a good man.
"Upon arriving in York, he shot down my crown, establishing his dominance.
"I endured the crown's humiliation, remembering your words that spouses should share honor and disgrace.
"When Magnus wanted to achieve great things, I brought Pemberton's support.
"When Magnus was insulted, I was furious.
"When Magnus was in trouble, I worried and couldn't sleep.
"When Magnus was injured, I wished I could take his place.
"Magnus respected his widowed sister-in-law, so I deferred everywhere, even in life-and-death moments giving up Pemberton's army to protect her escape."
But brother, the arrow was so cold, piercing my throat hurt so much—why should I have met such an end?
Chapter 13
My brother's face was pale, looking at me in complete confusion: "Catherine, what are you talking about?"
I asked him with red eyes: "Does brother know he has a widowed sister-in-law named Isabella, whom Magnus treats very specially?"
My brother understood, pointing at me, his whole body trembling with anger: "Foolish, foolish! I knew of this matter long ago. It's precisely because I saw Magnus as a man of deep feeling and loyalty that I arranged your marriage to him.
"You are Magnus's legitimate wife—how could he not treat you well in future? You would break the engagement over this?"
"Then does brother know that York has a custom: when a brother dies, his brother marries his wife?"
With this custom, though Magnus hadn't married her, he gave Isabella endless honor.
The people of York, including Isabella herself, had long considered her Magnus's woman, which was why Isabella refused to marry another in my past life.
My brother clearly didn't know this. Hearing it, he spat black blood and collapsed backward in rage.
"Magnus dared to deceive my Catherine into being a concubine!"
I panicked, frantically trying to support him.
"Edward!"
My brother gripped my hand tightly, his eyes red, seeming to have something to say.
I put my ear close to him and heard him say:
"After I die, Captain Morris and Lieutenant Hayes will immediately escort you away from Pemberton.
"You must stay close to them—they are my trusted men and will protect you for life."
Chapter 14
I stood in the courtyard.
My maid's words still echoed in my ears:
"His Grace gave strict orders not to tell my lady.
"His Grace was poisoned. We've seen countless shamans, and there's only one method—bloodletting to purge the poison."
Captain Morris and Lieutenant Hayes knelt before me, heads bowed.
From them I learned some things about my past life I had never known.
A year ago, at a ducal banquet, the Duke of Cornwall's youngest son, drunk, spoke carelessly about taking me as his concubine to unite our families. My brother, in fury, severed his right arm.
The feud between Cornwall and Pemberton was thus firmly established.
Who knew that after my brother returned to Pemberton, he realized too late that the Duke of Cornwall had poisoned him.
My brother searched everywhere for shamans and found only one cure for the poison: bloodletting.
Knowing that if the cure failed, I, a lone woman guarding Pemberton, would face Cornwall's retaliation and others' greed, my brother sought a way out for me before attempting the bloodletting cure.
He made an agreement with Magnus: Magnus would marry me as his wife, uniting our houses through marriage.
Pemberton would help Magnus quell internal rebellion.
And Magnus would promise that no matter when or where, he would protect my life.
I suddenly remembered when I was ten years old.
Mother fell gravely ill and died.
After arranging everything, Father drank poison and, fully clothed, entered the coffin to embrace Mother as he closed his eyes.
My brother, just fifteen, held me and promised:
Even without parents, as long as he lived, Catherine would be Pemberton's most carefree lady.
He said, "Don't be afraid, Catherine. Brother will protect you for life."
Until my wedding day, as I boarded the ship to depart, he chased after it, shouting:
"Catherine! Pemberton will always be your home. If Magnus dares wrong our Catherine, I'll bring you home!"
But brother, in my past life, Magnus broke his word.
You broke yours too.
You left me alone in harsh York, alone through years without you.
Finally alone, I died on foreign castle walls.
Chapter 15
Sure enough.
Far away in Cornwall, the Duke, hearing I hadn't married Magnus, sent a letter.
It read:
Dear niece, when your brother severed my son's arm, I didn't pursue the matter, and now hearing your brother is dying, I'm deeply saddened.
Pemberton is wealthy and rich in iron mines. I fear others covet it, and you, a lone woman, cannot guard it.
Our Cornwall has strong military forces. Though my son was wounded by your brother, he is magnanimous.
Even though you are a woman who broke an engagement, my son doesn't despise you and is willing to marry you as his wife.
Hereafter, Pemberton will be under Cornwall's protection. How about it?
The letter's end contained one more line:
I've already sent a hundred thousand troops to escort the bride. Open your gates quickly.
The Duke of Cornwall was determined to swallow Pemberton in this chaos.
Captain Morris stood behind me. Seeing this letter, he drew his sword in fury:
"My lady, this shameless old man! Let me go cut off his head to satisfy you and His Grace."
Lieutenant Hayes restrained him, asking me: "My lady, should we write to other dukes for assistance?"
I shook my head: "Cornwall is powerful. Without great benefit, they certainly won't help."
My brother knew this, which was why he bound Pemberton and York together.
Captain Morris said urgently: "Surely my lady won't agree to his demands?"
Just then, another letter arrived, along with a round, full pearl the size of a fist.
It was from York.
Magnus's meaning was brief and clear:
Marry me, and I'll protect your Pemberton.
In my past life, after I married Magnus, Pemberton and York allied, and there was no incident of Cornwall raising armies to seize Pemberton.
Because with Magnus there, even if Cornwall was envious, they could only proceed gradually, not as urgently as now.
I looked at the enormous pearl.
Did I have to marry Magnus in this life too to protect Pemberton?
No.
I thought of something.
I ordered them to bring my crown.
The brilliant pearl in my crown cast gentle golden light on my face.
Ancient texts recorded: In the deep abyss lies a treasure called the Flame Pearl. Born of heaven and earth, growing in seafloor crevices, nourished day and night by seawater, it glows with golden light, feels warm to touch, and this warmth never fades.
It had an unknown property—ground to powder and consumed, it could cure consumption.
The Duke of Yorkshire and his brother Adrian had suffered from consumption since childhood, desperately seeking the Flame Pearl without success.
In my past life, the Duke of Yorkshire died of consumption at twenty, then Adrian inherited the title but also died of consumption before twenty-five.
I only learned by accident that the brilliant pearl on my crown was actually the Flame Pearl that two successive Dukes of Yorkshire had sought.
I removed it, wrote a letter, and sent it to Yorkshire.
Chapter 16
I stood on the castle walls in armor.
Beyond the walls by the river, countless ships crowded the water—on the left, a hundred thousand troops personally led by Cornwall's eldest son.
On the right, Magnus's army.
Two weeks had passed.
No word from Yorkshire.
Three days ago, Cornwall's eldest son sent word: he'd give me three more days. After that, if I didn't open the gates, he'd storm Pemberton and drag me back to Cornwall as his brother's concubine.
Magnus also sent a letter.
In it, he called me Catherine.
He wrote: Catherine, your brother and I once agreed—you marry me, I protect you for life.
Now if you marry me, this promise still stands. Otherwise, I'll have to take you back from Cornwall's hands.
I tore up the letter and sent the scraps back to Magnus.
Captain Morris came to report: "As my lady ordered, civilians have been evacuated, archers positioned around the walls, and Lieutenant Hayes guards the east gate with men."
I gripped my sword, trembling slightly.
"Captain Morris, do you think Pemberton can hold?"
Morris shook his head: "Unknown."
"Do you think Edward would blame me for not marrying Magnus and ruining Pemberton?"
"He wouldn't blame you. This was Edward's mistake to begin with."
I turned at the sound of this voice.
My brother's face was still somewhat pale, but he wore heavy armor and opened his arms to me with a smile.
I dropped my sword and rushed into his embrace: "Edward, you're awake."
My brother patted my back gently: "Brother is here."
In my past life, when my brother died, Magnus told me he died suddenly of illness.
But now I knew my brother most likely bled to death believing the shamans.
Chapter 17
I couldn't blame my brother for trusting shamans.
In this world, shamanism prevailed.
Diseases shamans could cure were actually cured by the patients' own recovery. For incurable diseases, they prayed for divine intervention.
How many commoners and nobles died from treatable illnesses.
Thornfield had physicians who treated people with medicine, but the world didn't believe.
In my past life, I found Thornfield physicians for the gravely wounded, dying Magnus, and they actually cured him.
In this life, I brought physicians for my brother and saved his life.
My brother wouldn't die from blood loss, and I wouldn't die by arrow.
But what about Pemberton?
I wept in my brother's arms: "Edward, they think you're dead. Cornwall wants to storm Pemberton and make me a concubine. Magnus opportunistically sent letters threatening me to marry him with his troops. I refused.
"I wrote to Yorkshire asking Duke William and Adrian for help, but Adrian hasn't responded."
My brother wiped away my tears, pointing in one direction: "Look, what's that?"
Yellow dust rolled, horse hooves thundered.
The blue dragon banner rose high, fluttering in the wind.
At the front, riding toward us, was the purple-robed young man with the golden crown.
Chapter 18
Cornwall's troops retreated.
My letter to Duke William wasn't asking him to bring troops to help, but to attack Cornwall.
Cornwall's eldest son had brought a hundred thousand troops, determined to swallow Pemberton.
That left only the Duke of Cornwall guarding Cornwall itself. If Cornwall was in danger, how could his eldest son not return to support it?
Cornwall and Yorkshire had been at odds since their fathers' generation.
I offered the Flame Pearl and one of Pemberton's iron mines as payment, asking Duke William to send troops—I had a sixty percent chance of success.
But with no word from Yorkshire, I thought they wouldn't help.
I never expected...
That night, Adrian clasped his hands and bowed formally: "Thank you, Lady Catherine, for the gift of the Flame Pearl."
I waved dismissively: "My brother cherished me and sought the finest pearl to match me. But neither my brother nor I knew this was the Flame Pearl that Duke William had long sought.
"If we had known earlier, we wouldn't have let His Grace suffer from consumption for so long."
Adrian smiled: "Then I must thank Duke Edward's devotion to his sister."
I looked at the bright moon in the sky, murmuring: "My brother cherishes me like life itself."
Adrian immediately replied: "My brother is no less devoted."
Adrian and I smiled at each other.
Chapter 19
After seeing Adrian off, my brother called me to his study.
Before he could speak, I questioned him repeatedly: "Why didn't brother tell me about the poisoning?
"Does brother not trust me?"
"No."
My brother called my name: "Catherine, thank you.
"During these days of unconsciousness, I dreamed you were crying, saying you hurt. When I asked where, you pointed to your throat, and I saw a bloody hole there."
I lowered my eyes: "There was no such thing."
My brother didn't believe me, continuing: "Catherine, but that dream felt so real.
"I remember you once said Magnus treated you badly.
"But you never married into York—what does that have to do with Magnus?"
I shook my head, refusing to say.
My brother sighed: "Catherine, it's all past.
"I'll handle Magnus and Cornwall's matters for you."
At this, my brother's eyes turned sharp: "Each one wants to make my Catherine a concubine. I'll see if they have the lives for it."
Chapter 20
In Pemberton, I became the willful Lady Catherine I had been before marriage.
Recently Pemberton had joyous events and was quite lively.
The eastern Blackwood family and the riverside Greene family were getting married.
I mingled in the crowd, joining the festivities.
I saw the Greene lady with a face like peach blossoms, shyly lowering her head, reluctant to climb onto Lord Blackwood's back.
The crowd cheered: "Eastern Greene beauty like peach blossoms, entering Blackwood home on spring winds!"
"So Pemberton weddings are this lively."
Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind me.
I turned to face Adrian.
He stared ahead thoughtfully.
Then turning back, Adrian smiled and tucked a hibiscus flower behind my ear: "I knew it would suit you."
I touched the flower at my temple in confusion: "Why are you in Pemberton?"
Today Adrian wore a pale yellow robe with a jade-inlaid dagger at his waist.
He turned his face away, revealing red-tipped ears: "I... today I, no—my brother. Yes.
"Today I'm accompanying my brother to propose marriage to...
"To you!"
I tilted my head in confusion: "Propose to me?
"I won't be a concubine."
"You should be careful or my brother will chase you out of Pemberton with his sword."
Adrian's eyes widened, suddenly urgent: "Who wants you as a concubine!
"I want to marry you as my legitimate wife, the legitimate wife of the Duke of Yorkshire's brother!"
I stood stunned for a moment. Before I could speak, Adrian continued: "If you're unwilling, that's fine. After all, your previous engagement was to the Duke of York himself.
"But I'm not inferior either."
Adrian bowed to me: "Lady Catherine, Adrian of Yorkshire wishes to offer all his wealth as dowry to marry you.
"Why?"
I heard myself ask quietly: "I'm proud and domineering, unwilling to share my husband with others.
"I'm selfish and self-serving. If faced with life-and-death matters in future, I would abandon you and flee.
"I cannot be a virtuous wife, will never submit to my husband, and will never change for you.
"I..."
I was afraid.
Afraid my husband would again thrust cold arrows through my throat, afraid I would again die by my husband's hand.
Adrian's words were like cotton, gently wrapping around my pain.
"Catherine, pearls have flaws, jade has cracks. Some dislike them, some love them—but what of it? This doesn't prevent them from being themselves."
Chapter 21
News of the betrothal between Pemberton and Yorkshire spread at the same time as another piece of news.
Old Chancellor Whitmore had died.
With the royal house in decline and a sickly man on the throne, why shouldn't the powerful dukes seize power?
Because Emperor Alexander's legacy remained, and Old Chancellor Whitmore held them in check.
Chancellor Whitmore had served three reigns. If he didn't want history to record him as a traitor, even the most ambitious dukes had to suppress their desires.
But now Chancellor Whitmore was dead.
In my past life, it was also at this time that Magnus and several major dukes, under the banner of clearing corrupt officials, began openly warring with each other.
Of course, some dukes preferred to stay in their domains and live peacefully.
Like Yorkshire in my past life.
In this life, however, Magnus made no moves.
But I heard Magnus had killed Thomas.
Thomas had been one of Magnus's fiercest generals.
Magnus was arrogant and conceited.
But in my past life he managed to reach the end, partly because Pemberton supported him initially, and partly due to Thomas's invaluable contributions.
In my past life, after I died, I didn't know if Magnus achieved his ambitions.
But in this life, Magnus must die by my hand.
For Pemberton, for myself.
Why shouldn't I avenge that arrow?
Chapter 22
In this life, Magnus chose to ally with Cornwall.
If I guessed correctly, Magnus wanted to wash away the shame of the past life's Battle of Whitwater, while the Duke of Cornwall sought revenge for this life's grievances.
Their first choice would be to jointly attack Yorkshire.
I had actually seen Magnus once more.
Magnus came to Pemberton with only a few attendants, wanting to see me.
I agreed to meet him.
Compared to my past life, Magnus was thinner, his eyes more brooding.
Standing on his ship across the water, he asked me: "Are you truly going to marry Adrian?"
I nodded.
Magnus asked again: "Why wouldn't you marry me then?"
I smiled sweetly, repeating my earlier words: "I won't marry a stable boy's son."
Magnus's veins bulged as he roared: "Then you'll marry Adrian? What's so great about Adrian? He's just the Duke's brother, an unambitious wastrel who only knows pleasure."
I looked at Magnus coldly, as if watching a clown: "How Adrian is, you know better than I.
"Magnus, you owe me something, and I haven't collected it yet."
A life.
Magnus calmed down, spreading his arms: "Catherine, if you come with me tonight, when I seize the throne, I'll make you my empress. You may choose any treasure in the world. How about it?"
Empress?
I looked at him with pity: "Magnus, you think too highly of yourself, arrogant and conceited. But there are others beyond you who are equally arrogant and equally desire the throne, and each has more ability and resources than you.
"What makes you think you can succeed?"
Magnus didn't answer, only insisting: "I can."
"Catherine Pemberton, don't regret this."
Regret.
What I, Catherine Pemberton, regret most is marrying you and helping you seize power.
Chapter 23
In autumn, Magnus and the Duke of Cornwall, claiming Yorkshire harbored treasonous ambitions, raised armies to attack Yorkshire.
The other dukes watched from the sidelines, and even Pemberton, which had just arranged a marriage alliance with Yorkshire, showed no signs of sending support.
Yorkshire now stood alone.
Magnus declared he would conquer Yorkshire within half a month, bringing the heads of the Duke and his brother to the capital to beg the Emperor's forgiveness.
But Yorkshire had thirty-two cities, easily defended and hard to attack.
Moreover, Duke William was cunning as a fox, and Adrian was both brave and wise.
Duke William sowed discord between York and Cornwall while Adrian led troops to resist the strong enemies.
Magnus and the Duke of Cornwall couldn't take a single city.
After repeated failures, Magnus and Cornwall began feuding among themselves, disagreeing on strategy.
Magnus blamed Cornwall for being indecisive, while Cornwall cursed Magnus for his slave origins and inability to understand patience.
For a time, Yorkshire remained safe under the dual assault.
Until Magnus personally led troops and captured ten cities.
Duke William's brother Adrian went missing during the tenth city's battle.
Only then did Yorkshire fall into disadvantage.
Cornwall immediately declared to Duke William: "Surrender quickly, and I'll spare your lives."
While Magnus and Cornwall celebrated and committed most of their forces to attacking Yorkshire, I led Pemberton's army with my brother to attack York.
Previously, when Magnus went to war, he always left Thomas to guard the homeland.
Thomas was careful and strategic; with him there, Magnus's weaknesses were well protected.
But in this life, York had no Thomas to defend it.
My brother and I took only days to capture York.
Afterward, as arranged with Adrian, my brother and I led Pemberton's army to Yorkshire, cutting off Magnus and Cornwall's retreat.
Chapter 24
Adrian suddenly appeared from Cornwall, leading Yorkshire's army.
Above Adrian's blue dragon banner hung a severed head.
Looking closely, it was the head of Cornwall's beloved youngest son.
The Duke of Cornwall flew into a rage, wanting to devour Adrian's flesh, drink his blood, and scatter his ashes.
In his fury, he fell into Adrian's trap.
Adrian seized the opportunity and slaughtered them mercilessly.
The Duke of Cornwall died, his eldest son barely escaping with grave wounds.
And Magnus was now at his wit's end.
All the soldiers protecting him were dead, surrounded by Pemberton's spears.
My brother and I sat on horseback nearby.
Seeing me, Magnus's eyes lit with joy.
"Catherine, save me."
Actually, in my past life's end, setting aside his arrow through my throat, Magnus and I could be said to have shared hardships through thick and thin.
After Chancellor Whitmore died, he was first to raise arms against Cornwall, avenging my brother's poisoning that I hadn't known about in my past life.
He swallowed Cornwall and marched south; I followed.
Later, Magnus's arrogance led to severe wounds and falling from his horse. I carried him all the way back to York and helped him raise armies again.
Still later, as husband and wife, Magnus and I fought all the way to the capital.
Finally, I was captured and hung on walls to force Magnus's retreat, and Magnus killed me with an arrow.
Chapter 25
I raised my bow and arrow with the familiarity of countless practice sessions.
Whoosh.
Magnus clutched his throat with both hands, his widened eyes full of disbelief.
He looked at me, saying brokenly: "Cath... Catherine, you also..."
As he breathed his last, a soldier-dressed figure ran toward him.
"Magnus!"
I recognized Isabella's voice.
Isabella had bound her hair and dressed as an army soldier. She threw herself on Magnus, weeping bitterly.
I watched her without speaking.
No wonder we hadn't seen her when we captured York.
Magnus had kept her by his side all along.
She stood up, ignoring the spears pointed at her chest, walking toward me step by step: "I know you, Lady Catherine of Pemberton.
"Magnus mentioned you to me once. He said you were his fiancée, that you were gentle-natured, and after entering the household I should get along well with you.
"Days before your wedding, he set out from York to personally receive you. But he returned alone. I later learned you despised him for being a stable boy's son and refused to marry.
"Lady Catherine, my Magnus was so good—why wouldn't you marry him!
"Why did you kill him?"
Isabella rushed at me recklessly. Before she could touch me, a spear pierced her chest, and she fell.
She crawled forward bit by bit, looking up to question me: "Why wouldn't you marry him!"
I said softly: "I did marry him."
In my past life, I married him.
Epilogue
Part 1
In my past life, Magnus was only one step away from the capital.
He wanted to capture the capital's last line of defense, Westbridge County.
When his army reached Westbridge, Magnus received a blood-stained cloth strip.
Magnus, your wife and sister-in-law are both in my hands. Retreat immediately.
Magnus naturally didn't believe it.
Both Isabella and Catherine were in Ironhold, which was full of his people, and his trusted lieutenant Thomas guarded Ironhold as well. Therefore, Isabella and Catherine could not possibly appear in Westbridge.
Until before the assault, he saw someone hanging from the city walls.
The person was covered in blood, face unrecognizable.
Just then, a general behind him received news: "Your Grace, terrible news! Word from Ironhold says Thomas has rebelled, and the Duchess and Lady Catherine are missing."
Magnus's heart jumped.
He turned his gaze to the figure on the wall whose face couldn't be seen.
"Rebel Magnus, do you recognize who this is?
"We offer your wife Lady Catherine's life in exchange for your immediate retreat. What say you?"
Magnus made his decision in an instant.
He dared not look at the person on the wall.
He drew his bow and released the arrow.
The generals behind Magnus panicked: "Your Grace, that's Lady Catherine!"
"The false duchess is dead. Storm the city and save the true Duchess!"
Magnus kept a cold expression, spurring his horse forward first, his soldiers forced to follow.
Only Magnus knew—he couldn't retreat.
He had come too far to reach this point.
Besides, Magnus didn't believe Catherine, protected by Pemberton's army, could be easily captured.
Even if the person on the wall was Catherine, surely she would understand his position.
It was just Isabella—always frail, with only him to depend on. If captured, she might...
Magnus thought no more, attacking the city with lightning speed.
The defending general, seeing defeat inevitable, ignited gunpowder, attempting to destroy the city and die with them all.
In the cannon fire and smoke, Magnus was barely rescued by his men.
Part 2
Magnus remained unconscious for a long time, dreaming of Catherine.
Catherine was covered in blood, a gaping hole in her throat.
She couldn't speak, just stared at him motionlessly.
But Magnus seemed to hear Catherine's blood-curdling accusations: "Magnus, why didn't you save me?"
"Magnus, Magnus."
Magnus opened his eyes to see smoke swirling around him, strangely dressed people dancing in circles nearby.
He remembered Edward's death.
Isabella lay beside him crying, eyes swollen: "Thank goodness you're awake, Magnus. The shamans said your soul was taken by the fire god. I thought you'd never return."
Magnus felt contempt—since Edward's incident, he never trusted shamans.
He survived through sheer luck.
Seeing Isabella safe brought Magnus joy.
Magnus tried to sit up but felt his organs burning with pain, making him spit blood.
"Isabella, where's Catherine?"
Isabella wiped her tears, sobbing: "After you left, Thomas used your orders to escort us back to York. Halfway there, Catherine sensed something wrong and helped me escape.
"Catherine had Pemberton's army escort me to York first, telling me to send word to you once I arrived safely. But before I could send word, you were..."
"I asked where she is!"
Isabella shook her head: "I don't know."
Then Isabella said timidly: "They say Your Grace killed her with an arrow."
Hearing this, Magnus spat more blood and lost consciousness.
Part 3
Thomas, under the banner of rescuing the emperor, systematically eliminated Magnus's forces.
Magnus, protected by loyal subordinates, fled westward and finally returned to York.
By then Magnus was like a caged beast, confined to York.
Eventually, Magnus died under Thomas's sword.
Actually, even if Thomas hadn't killed him, Magnus knew he wouldn't live long.
He had personally killed Catherine with an arrow.
No one would travel thousands of miles seeking physicians for him anymore.
Isabella would only weep and beg him to drink the shamans' talisman water.
But Magnus couldn't understand why Thomas, who grew up with him as fellow slaves and trusted lieutenant, would betray him.
Magnus gripped the sword Thomas had thrust into his chest, demanding: "Why?"
Thomas withdrew the sword, casually cleaning the blood: "His Majesty promised to make me king after your death.
"Magnus, I'm no less than you. By birth, we were both slaves. In martial arts, I'm no worse than you. In strategy, I'm also capable.
"But why did you gain the old Duke's favor? Why could you scheme yet earn Lady Catherine's sincere devotion? Why could you ultimately ascend to the throne?"
"The Duke's trusted lieutenant? Ha! Just a slave of higher status. Magnus, what would you have given me after becoming emperor? A generalship? A title? Still forever beneath you."
Magnus laughed madly, blood flowing from his chest and mouth like a demon.
Thomas jumped back in fright: "What are you laughing at!"
Magnus collapsed, murmuring: "Deceived... we were all deceived."
Emperor Alexander was just a sickly man—what was there to fear?
All the dukes had always thought this way.
He had been busy fighting other dukes, never realizing he was eliminating threats for Emperor Alexander.
When Magnus closed his eyes, he felt no hatred or resentment, only regret.
If only Catherine were still here.
He didn't want the throne or power anymore—he only wanted Catherine.
He wanted to return to that York that had Catherine in it.
Part 4
When Magnus opened his eyes again, he had returned to age twenty, the year he first became Duke.
Magnus immediately strangled Thomas.
Before dying, Thomas looked at him uncomprehendingly, muttering why.
Magnus said nothing, only wiping his sword clean.
He now had more important matters.
Magnus boarded the wedding ship and set sail for Pemberton.
Just reaching Yorkshire waters, he encountered Catherine's bridal ship.
Magnus had long forgotten what Catherine looked like when she first married him.
In his memories, Catherine was always gentle and quiet.
Even when dying, she was silent.
Heaven was merciful, letting him return to the beginning.
Magnus wouldn't dwell on the past life—he looked ahead.
Not far away, the young woman wasn't old, with an apricot face and peach cheeks, wearing red wedding robes, enchantingly beautiful as she glanced around, just like the pomegranate blossom in his hands.
He had detoured through Whitwater County specifically to pick this pomegranate branch.
Catherine of Pemberton was his legitimate wife.
In this life, he would surely compensate and cherish her.
Thinking this, Magnus stepped forward, offering the pomegranate branch.
In his dying moments of this lifetime, Magnus remembered the very beginning, when Catherine first married him.
Then he had just become Duke, making a deal with Duke Edward of Pemberton.
He would marry Edward's sister, protecting her from others' bullying in future, and Edward would help him quell York's internal rebellion.
This deal was indeed favorable.
Moreover, Edward looked unlikely to live long.
He agreed immediately and sent the betrothal.
Before his advisors left for Pemberton, they told him: "Your Grace, by custom, you should give Lady Catherine a token in exchange.
"I hear Pemberton's custom requires the groom to find a precious pearl to give the bride when proposing."
He casually took a jade pendant from a nearby attendant and handed it over: "Use this."
It was just a business transaction—why put much thought into it?
Later, when the advisors returned from Pemberton, they said: "Your Grace, in Pemberton, when women marry, the groom personally carries pomegranate branches and carries the bride home on his back. Duke Edward asks whether you'll come to Pemberton for the wedding."
He was somewhat irritated: "I won't go. Say York's affairs are pressing and I can't get away."
Isabella, hearing this nearby, tugged his sleeve with worried expression: "I hear that lady comes from the great Pemberton family, and her mother was a royal princess. Will she be even more domineering than the previous Lady York?"
On Catherine's wedding day to York, he didn't go to the dock to welcome her but waited at the manor gates.
Edward had once bowed to him for her sake, saying: "My Catherine lost both parents young, so I've spoiled her somewhat. Her nature is a bit willful, but don't worry, Your Grace—she's definitely not unreasonable.
"If she does anything wrong, please be patient with her."
He toyed with his bow and arrows. Fine, he'd be "patient."
The moment Catherine stepped from her carriage, he shot at her crown.
He had only meant to frighten her, to humble her pride.
He hadn't expected the arrow's force to be so great as to knock Catherine to the ground.
Catherine lay there in embarrassment, looking at him quietly, making him inexplicably irritated.
As if he were still that powerless stable boy's son.
Later, when Magnus recovered from grave injuries, watching Catherine carefully sewing armor by dim candlelight, he thought he'd find a good opportunity to apologize to Catherine.
But this good opportunity never came in either his past life or this one.
Before closing his eyes, Magnus still prayed for heaven's mercy to let him live once more.
But next time, give him back the Catherine from his first life.