Xia Lun's Irritation

The afternoon sun coated the meadow in a soft golden glow. As a gentle breeze swept past, the blades of grass rippled like tiny waves.

A white horse strolled leisurely. Xia Lun held the reins in one hand, his other arm wrapped around Aina in his embrace. The riding crop hung loosely from his fingertips, swaying gently with the rise and fall of the horse's back.

Just like always, it was a leisurely afternoon.

"What's wrong, Xia Lun?"

The wife suddenly noticed something unusual about her husband behind her.

Xia Lun furrowed his brows slightly, then unfastened the holy sword he always wore at his waist, placing it horizontally across the saddle in front of him.

"What's wrong with your sword?" A hint of confusion appeared on Aina's cool, delicate face. She noticed Xia Lun's fingers unconsciously stroking the scabbard.

"It feels like it's gotten lighter." A trace of confusion and uncertainty also slipped into Xia Lun's tone.

"Is it just an illusion?"

Aina tilted her head. This holy sword rarely left Xia Lun's side. Even when they were intimate at night, it had to be sealed and placed right by the bed. If Aina hadn't known the reason behind it, she might have actually gotten jealous.

Aside from Xia Lun, Aina was certain that no one else had touched this sword. So how could it suddenly change?

"It seems... something is a bit different."

Xia Lun looked at the holy sword in his hand, and then drew it from its sheath.

The holy sword looked exactly the same, its blade still wreathed in an unyielding black aura.

"What's different about it?"

"It feels... like it doesn't recognize me anymore." Xia Lun voiced a rather vague concept, swinging the holy sword casually a few times. "It also feels a bit awkward to wield."

"Is it your imagination? Maybe I tired you out too much last night." Aina let out a small yawn. "I'll be more careful next time."

"It has nothing to do with you, Aina." Xia Lun coughed lightly. "You alone don't have what it takes to affect my condition."

Xia Lun said this with absolute confidence, his fingertips gently grazing his wife's delicate cheek.

"Hah, you sure talk big." Aina narrowed her eyes, deciding to teach Xia Lun a bitter lesson tonight.

Perhaps he had regained some of his youthful confidence since he started taking that medicine recently.

But she had to admit, this guy's stamina was truly terrifying, making him quite difficult to deal with... Aina suddenly lost some confidence in her ability to handle him.

Xia Lun slowly sheathed the longsword, letting out a barely audible sigh. The sunlight shone on his chiseled profile, casting a deep shadow.

"I just feel... a bit restless."

"You're saying that even with me by your side?" Aina raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying I can't give you a sense of security?"

"Of course not. You are the Demon King, Aina." Xia Lun hurriedly began to coax his wife.

The corners of Aina's lips curled up slightly, clearly enjoying her husband's flattery. But soon, she also fell silent, snuggling into Xia Lun's embrace.

"I wonder how that child, Aise, is doing out there."

"Xia Lun, if you want, I can give you another child," Aina said out of the blue. "That is, if I can get pregnant."

Xia Lun was slightly taken aback and smiled. "Aina, why are you suddenly saying this?"

"It's nothing."

Aina tilted her head back against Xia Lun's chest. "Work harder tonight, let's see if there's a chance."

She could already foresee that with Aise's personality... things probably wouldn't end well.

Her intuition was sharper than Xia Lun's. Aise was connected to her by blood, and she also felt a faint, nameless irritation in her heart.

"Aina... I think you're the one who needs to work harder." Xia Lun couldn't help but chuckle, twirling a strand of her long, silvery-white hair around his finger.

"Hmph." Aina's small face turned cold. She naturally understood Xia Lun's underlying meaning; he just wanted her to cooperate more with him in a shameful, uninhibited manner.

He was really pushing his luck.

"It's me, sorry. I'll definitely work hard, Aina." Xia Lun hurriedly took back his words, coaxing his delicate little wife.

A moment later, the coldness on Aina's face melted away, revealing a hint of pride and satisfaction.

The former Hero... now, with just a cold snort from her, he would be frightened into a panic, flattering and fawning over her.

It was truly delightful.

...

Over the past few days, Xia Lun had grown increasingly restless. He often stood by the window lost in thought, his fingers unconsciously tapping the window frame, as if fending off the invasion of some invisible pressure.

He had a premonition that something very serious had happened in the unseen world.

Aina, on the other hand, had changed her usual aloof attitude over the past few days. She frequently checked on Xia Lun's well-being and didn't mind lowering herself to please him.

In the study, Xia Lun spread out a map on the desk... A river within their territory needed to be diverted and expanded, and he needed to finalize the plan.

His fingers tapped lightly on the desk, producing a dull, rhythmic sound, his brows knitted together in a knot.

"Sigh—" In the end, Xia Lun let out a long sigh. He tossed his quill onto the desk and leaned back into his chair, his mind completely blank.

"What's wrong, Xia Lun?"

Aina pressed against him from behind the chair, her chest cushioning the back of Xia Lun's head. Her hands wrapped around his front, bringing a reassuring softness and warmth.

"Aina..." Xia Lun closed his eyes and leaned back.

"If you have any troubles, you can tell me." Aina's lips brushed against Xia Lun's earlobe.

Xia Lun was a bit surprised. For Aina, whose personality was still quite cool and aloof, such proactive intimacy was already a tremendous concession and comfort.

"I'm still worried about what happened earlier... the matter with the holy sword... and Aise." Xia Lun would not hide anything from his wife, truthfully telling Aina the worries in his heart.

"You've already done very well... If something really happens, it's not your fault." Aina gently stroked Xia Lun's cheek, her fingers lightly caressing his brow bone, trying to smooth out the wrinkles there. "Don't be afraid. I am here."

"Thank you." Xia Lun truly felt much more relaxed. His brow smoothed out, and he gently held Aina's soft hand.

Aina's other slender hand, however, quietly slipped into his collar from the front and continued to grope downwards. Her goal was clear, completely bypassing his firm chest and abdominal muscles...

"Uh... Aina, what are you doing?" Xia Lun grasped Aina's wrist through his clothes.

"You don't like it?" Aina asked in return.

Xia Lun slowly released Aina's wrist, his breathing suddenly growing a bit heavier.

"Then should we head to the bedroom next?"

"No need, here is fine. Besides, the maids know you're working and won't come to disturb us." Aina's breath was like orchids by Xia Lun's ear.

A long time later, Aina nestled contentedly in Xia Lun's embrace. She raised a finger, and a blue light emerged, dispelling the embarrassing, peculiar scent in the air.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Aina sprang up from Xia Lun as if electrocuted, and Xia Lun also began to straighten his messy collar.

A moment later, Xia Lun coughed lightly. "Come in."

"Lord Xia Lun." A maid entered from outside the door. "Young Master Aise has returned!"