Pregnancy

A small rift in space was torn open, and Aina cautiously crawled out of it, making her way back to Xia Lun’s side.

Xia Lun was still fast asleep. Aina let out a sigh of relief, gently moved his arm over, and rested her head on it like a pillow.

After thinking for a moment, Aina turned her head and kissed Xia Lun on the cheek before settling down to sleep, satisfied.

Xia Lun’s brow twitched faintly, but he did not notice it.

The next morning.

A fragrant aroma drifted through the camp.

The campfire, which had burned out during the night, had been rekindled by Liyana. A small iron pot bubbled merrily over the flames, filling the air with the mingled scents of vegetables and spices and rousing the sleeping taste buds.

Aina raised her little hand to her mouth and gave a soft yawn.

“Xia Lun, it’s time to get up.” Aina’s voice was slightly hoarse and sweet with sleep as she gently nudged her husband beside her. “I never thought you’d sleep in, too.”

Xia Lun’s arm was still wrapped around her. Instead of letting go, he tightened his hold and rolled half a turn with her inside the tent, which was covered with a soft blanket.

“I don’t know why, but I felt especially tired last night. Still, I slept really well.” Xia Lun’s voice was lower than usual, carrying the languid satisfaction of a deep, restful sleep. “Do you know what happened?”

“Because you got it all out of your system last night?” Aina tilted her little head, looking as though she knew nothing at all. Her eyes were as clear as a forest stream, and there was not a hint of a flaw in her expression.

“Maybe.” Xia Lun smiled and said no more. He simply brushed aside a strand of silvery-white hair from her cheek with his fingertip.

The two of them dressed and left the tent, one following the other. The coolness of early morning swept over them, and Aina instinctively moved closer to Xia Lun, seeking his warmth. Xia Lun naturally reached out and enclosed her chilly little hand in his warm palm.

After washing up, Liyana brought them each a steaming bowl of vegetable soup.

Mo Lini sat before the fire, dark circles under her eyes. Her head bobbed up and down like a pecking chick, as though she might fall asleep at any moment… Little Lan sat on her lap, watching over her.

“Mo Lini and Little Lan stayed up very late chatting last night.” Liyana covered her mouth and giggled. “She’ll probably fall asleep in the carriage today.”

Xia Lun’s gaze lingered briefly on Mo Lini and Little Lan sitting on her lap. Then he accepted the bowl of soup from Liyana, dipped a piece of perfectly toasted bread into the rich broth, and took a bite. His tone remained as calm as ever.

“Then I’ll drive more slowly today.”

“Hmm…”

Liyana scratched her head and could not help taking another look at Xia Lun.

She had a vague feeling that Xia Lun seemed a little different today… but she could not say exactly how.

Was he in a bad mood? Had he and Aina quarreled?

That couldn’t be it… right?

Hopefully, it was just her imagination.

Liyana hunched her shoulders, deciding not to meddle, and went back to chatting idly with Luo Lun.

After breakfast, it was not long before the earth dragon resumed its steady journey.

The scenery drifted slowly past the windows: stretches of fir forest, small magical beasts occasionally startled into flight, and the outlines of mountain ranges rolling across the distant horizon… For adventurers who spent years traveling outdoors, such sights could easily become monotonous.

An adventurer’s journey was, for the most part, far more dull and tedious than ordinary people imagined.

No matter how beautiful the scenery was, seeing it too often would inevitably make it seem repetitive. In truth, there were not many people who could retain a lasting passion for it.

Aina nestled in Xia Lun’s arms, unfolded the leather map in her hands, and held it up in front of him.

“We should reach the town around here by tonight. We can rest there.” Aina pointed to a spot on the map and looked up at Xia Lun, seemingly seeking his opinion. “I heard there are hot springs in the mountains nearby. Maybe we could spend a day there.”

“Then it’s settled.” Xia Lun rested his chin atop Aina’s head. He could smell the faint, cool fragrance in her hair, as fresh and ethereal as moonlight.

Everything seemed no different from usual, yet Aina still sensed something unusual.

“Xia Lun, what’s wrong?” Aina could not help asking. “Are you feeling unwell? You seem a little strange.”

“Do I?” Xia Lun smiled. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”

As Xia Lun’s wife, Aina naturally did not believe that her intuition was mistaken.

“You know now, don’t you?” Aina shifted backward, nestling herself more snugly into his embrace. “About what happened last night.”

“I know.” Xia Lun nodded.

There should be no secrets between him and Aina to begin with.

“I’m sorry, Xia Lun. I wasn’t deliberately keeping it from you.” Aina pressed her lips together. “But you really don’t need to worry. I have everything under control… Although things outside are in a terrible state, they’re still within my control. You know I would never lie to you. You truly don’t need to be concerned.”

“I believe you, Aina.” Xia Lun rubbed the top of her head against her hair. “I’ve always believed you. It’s just that you didn’t trust me enough to tell me about these things. You should believe that I would believe you.”

Aina gazed into Xia Lun’s deep eyes. There was no reproach in them, only understanding—and a trace of disappointment at having been kept in the dark.

“I know I was wrong. I’m sorry, Xia Lun.”

“I know. I accept your apology, Aina.” Xia Lun pinched her cheek. “But when you make a mistake, an apology alone isn’t enough.”

“I know. You can punish me however you want tonight. Will that do?” Aina sighed helplessly and glared at him reproachfully. “There really is only one thing on your mind, isn’t there, Xia Lun?”

At her words, Xia Lun pretended to be indignant and pinched the tip of her nose.

“Now you need to apologize to me for what you just said, Aina.”

“But what I said was obviously true.” Aina raised her head innocently, widening her eyes. “Is telling the truth really a mistake?”

What a sharp little tongue she had.

He wondered whether she would still be able to keep up that stubborn defiance tonight.

This was the familiar atmosphere between the two of them.

Aina rubbed the back of her head against Xia Lun’s chest, then adjusted her posture and found a more comfortable position, closing her eyes in contentment.

Suddenly, Aina turned slightly. Her moist, soft lips nearly brushed against the rim of Xia Lun’s ear, and her warm, fragrant breath tickled his skin.

“Xia Lun, there’s something I want to tell you.”

“What is it?”

Xia Lun was somewhat surprised. Usually, if Aina had something to say, she would say it directly. She rarely used such a deliberate, suspenseful tone.

“Would you like to have another child?” Aina paused, as though gathering her courage. Then, in a soft whisper against Xia Lun’s ear, she said, “I think I’m pregnant again.”