Fifteen Years as a Strategist

[Short story complete. The last two chapters are extras.]

From the age of twelve to twenty-seven, I stood by Pei Yue for fifteen full years.

From a peerless young nobleman to a hero who commanded the world.

He was my closest friend, my lord, my king.

I was his adviser, the person he trusted most in the world, and the one person who could never become his wife.

I watched him rise to the highest ranks, marry, and have children, one step at a time.

His bride's procession stretched for miles. I kept my emotions hidden and congratulated him on his wedding from the darkness beneath the lanterns.

When he was defeated and disappeared, I gave everything I had to hold on to his last city for him.

I massacred a city for his sake, bearing the blame of the whole world. Later, I was assassinated and died in the heavy snow.

I have no regrets, but loving him was too painful.

In my next life, I only hope we never meet again.

A short story series, told in the first person, inspired by a tiny little idea I had a while ago.

Very short and simple, just over ten thousand words.

Theme: Overcome fate.