This warm, satiated feeling left her with a faint sense of unease—how could she possibly fall asleep?
Ever since she'd snuggled into the man's arms after what had just happened, this question had weighed on her mind. Finally, she couldn't hold back and whispered, "Lord Ryan… will I… have another baby?"
After speaking, Celia held her breath, burying her head and waiting for his response.
"Yes," Ryan replied bluntly.
What!
Upon hearing this, Celia felt as if the sky had collapsed. Her voice turned tearful with urgency: "Lord Ryan, why? But I don't want to! It was so painful last time…"
Ryan rolled over toward Celia, a puff of warm air fanning her. His tone softened: "Don't worry. I'll be with you this time—I won't let you hurt."
"Really?" Celia asked tentatively.
A flood of grievances surged up, too much to contain. This time, Celia couldn't hold on any longer. Her eyes stung, and a choking sob escaped her throat.
Next, the man pulled her small body into a tight embrace. He patted her hair gently, leaning close to her ear to comfort her: "I told you, don't worry. Go to sleep quickly. If you end up crying tomorrow, I'll take full responsibility."
His soft words melted into a wave of warmth that spread through her chest. But she still couldn't sleep—only after he told her stories to lull her, while soothing her gently, did she finally drift off into a deep slumber.
The next day…
Early morning.
Sissy sat on the bed, stretching out a crumpled pair of silk stockings. She lifted her snow-white, delicate calf and stepped into them lightly. Her slender, previously bare legs looked even more adorable wrapped in the white silk.
She hurried to put on her shoes, patted her little skirt, and turned to run out of the room. The bowls and chopsticks on the table had already been cleared away—this was the breakfast Sissy had made for the father and son, who had gone out early to practice natural magic.
Seeing her carefully prepared breakfast completely eaten, Sissy smiled in satisfaction. She picked up a bamboo basket on the table, which held the sweets that Kyle had always loved—though now it was for her daughter, Celia.
After making sure she hadn't forgotten anything, she hopped out the door, humming a tune under her breath.
The sun was perfect that day. The faint, high-pitched chirps of birds in the woods drifted over. At the sound of the birds, the elf felt even more refreshed.
Sissy glanced up to confirm her route, then walked in the direction her daughter had left the day before. She strolled along, still humming.
Before she'd gone far—
A house that looked nothing like the elven style came into view.
"Truly magnificent," she murmured. "It seems my daughter and Lord Husband are living quite happily～"
—In fact, she'd secretly followed her daughter back here once, right after Celia had come home.
Standing outside the door, Sissy hesitated for a moment. She tiptoed to push open the slightly ajar door and slipped inside quietly. Curious, she looked left and right, muttering to herself: "Is it bad manners to barge in like this?"
In reality, if Leggo knew what she was doing now, he would definitely fly into a rage and scold her severely. After all, who in the entire elven clan didn't know who Ryan was? He was a noble fifth-rank powerhouse who regarded others as ants.
After that attack, the elves had developed a more powerful grand formation and hidden away secretly and safely for ten years. Yet he—could break in effortlessly, and with a wave of his hand, he could wipe out the entire clan. Who wouldn't fear him?
Perhaps the only one safe from harm was Celia, tightly protected by the contract.
But Sissy, as a mother, didn't care. She had always been good at judging people, and from the moment she'd first seen Ryan's aura and demeanor, she'd felt he wasn't a bad person. Besides… such a handsome and powerful man—she couldn't be more at ease entrusting her daughter to him.
Even though it was nominally a sacrifice for the clan, when she'd heard the news that her son could become a daughter, Sissy had been overjoyed. Even if her daughter was taken out of the elven clan, Sissy wouldn't complain at all—as long as Celia was happy.
As she walked, something suddenly tripped her foot. Puzzled, she looked down—
It was a wooden ball the size of a basin.
Sissy held down her skirt with one hand, squatted down slowly, and picked up the wooden ball with both hands, hugging it to her chest. Surprisingly, it was very light—as if it had been enchanted.
"Lord Ryan is so thoughtful," she murmured. "But will my daughter like this? It's small, and she's already twenty after all."
She was still talking to herself when suddenly—
"Squeak—"
The closed door upstairs was pushed open.
A man with a sickly pale complexion and sharp features stood there. Dressed in a loose white bathrobe, he leaned against the doorframe, staring coldly at her. It was Ryan, who had just woken up and noticed the commotion.
"So it's Miss Sissy paying a visit," he said.
Upon seeing it was Sissy, Ryan's cold expression instantly softened into a smile. "It's cold outside—come in quickly."
"Lord Ryan is so gentle～" Sissy didn't stand on ceremony. She trotted over in small steps. Ryan smiled and stepped aside to let her in, then closed the door behind her.
"You're here to see Celia, aren't you?" Ryan followed behind her and asked.
"Yes," Sissy stopped and turned around. "Lord Ryan, where is my daughter? Can you take me to her?"
Ryan pointed in a direction. "Over there. Go upstairs and you'll see her—my lovely wife Celia is still asleep."
"Thank you. I think she's lovely too. Why don't you take me there directly?"
"I told you, just call me Ryan," he said with a helpless smile, then added, "It's better if you go see her in person. I'll follow behind you."
"Why?"
"Go on," Ryan waved toward the stairs again.
"O-okay then." Sissy, confused, agreed blankly. She looked toward the staircase Ryan had indicated and walked up slowly.
When she reached the upper floor, the scene before her made her eyes light up—the arrangement of the furniture was even more stunning than downstairs. Glancing around casually, she saw the walls had two levels, with a staircase built at the opening and beds placed above—seeming to be prepared for the baby to play on.
"Go in, she's right inside." The only door was on the left side of the living room. Sissy hurried over and pushed it open—
"Celia～"