Linde practically flew through the newly completed Blackrock Fortress corridor, the air still carrying the crisp scent of fresh stone and wood.
He went straight to Nazira's residence, pushed open the door, and was slightly taken aback by what he saw.
By the window, Nazla sat quietly, the winter afternoon sun shining through the glass, giving her silver hair a soft golden edge.
She held a thick book about humanity in her hands, reading with great focus, her expression peaceful, even exuding an unprecedented tranquility and composure.
The wild, cunning passion of the past seems to have been tempered, settling into a restrained radiance.
She tilted her head slightly, her fingers gently turning the pages of the book, her posture elegant, possessing a touch of the charm of a noblewoman.
Linde's heart melted instantly.
He walked over quietly, his heart filled with tenderness, and gently embraced her from behind, resting his chin on the top of her head, inhaling her familiar yet seemingly warm scent.
"What are you looking at?" he asked in a low voice, his tone unusually gentle.
Nazla seemed to have known of his arrival beforehand; she naturally leaned into his arms, closed her book, and revealed a gentle smile.
"A rather interesting book about court etiquette in human kingdoms. You humans... have so many rules."
Her tone was slightly teasing, but she no longer possessed the unbridled wildness of before.
Linde tightened his arms, and his right hand, subconsciously filled with anticipation and curiosity, gently slid towards Nazla's still flat stomach.
"Let me touch it..." His voice held an almost pious anticipation.
However, the moment his hand touched the fabric, Nazla slapped it away gently.
"Fool!"
Nazla rolled her eyes at him, but her cheeks flushed slightly, carrying a hint of a new mother's coquettishness.
"How long has it been? Less than a month! How could you possibly feel it? Do you think it's some little beast rolling around in there?"
Linde awkwardly withdrew his hand, touched his nose, and knew he had been too hasty, but he couldn't hide his joy and anticipation.
He held her close and sat down by the window, rambling on about the trivial matters of the territory and his future plans, but his eyes kept drifting to Nazla's lower abdomen, as if a clearly visible little life was already growing there.
Nazla listened quietly, occasionally responding with a few words, her fingers unconsciously tracing the pages of the book, her eyes gentle. After chatting for a while, she suddenly became serious and said:
"Linde, stop grinning like an idiot in front of me. Go check on Leonis."
Linde was taken aback: "What's wrong with her?"
"she?"
Nazla sighed, her purple eyes filled with understanding and worry.
"That sullen girl, she's different from you and me. She grew up surrounded by cold stones and dogmas, barely understanding what love is, and then suddenly... she got pregnant."
This was probably more impactful for her than facing a hundred Shadow Abyss monsters.
She must be feeling incredibly turbulent right now.
You are her lord, and also... cough, you need to take better care of her, don't let her overthink things and get stuck in a rut.
Linde felt a chill run down his spine.
Indeed, Leonis's situation is more unique.
Her beliefs, her identity, and her self-perception are all undergoing unprecedented upheaval.
Beyond joy, fear and confusion are probably the dominant themes for her at this moment.
“You’re right.” Lind nodded seriously. “I’ll go right now.”
“That’s right.” Nazla smiled with satisfaction, then winked mischievously and pushed him to his feet.
"Go quickly and appease that innocent young knight. Oh, and by the way,"
She leaned against the doorframe, her silver hair falling down, her smile carrying a hint of fox-like cunning.
"Don't forget, there's also a genius mage who spends all her time in the tower, practically buried in blueprints and crystal remains. The two of us aren't 'inconvenient' right now, so don't get too frustrated. You should also go and win over Alice as soon as possible, lest she blow up the tower one day while researching something."
Linde felt his face flush with embarrassment at her words and glared at her, only to be met with a smug chuckle from Nazla.
She slammed the door shut, effectively kicking him out.
Standing at the entrance of the castle's main building, Lind took a deep breath of the crisp, fresh air.
He looked back and saw the newly built Blackrock Fortress, which looked majestic and sturdy in the winter sun. The thick stone walls, the towering towers, and the fluttering Truk family flag all exuded the vibrant life of the new territory.
"Home..." he murmured to himself, a sense of belonging and responsibility he had never felt before welling up within him.
This place is no longer just the foundation of his power, but also the place where his bloodline continues and his family lives in peace.
He didn't linger, turned around and strode towards the equally brand-new Holy Light Church not far away.
The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the church spire in a warm orange-red hue, and the melodious evening bells had just ceased tolling.
Pushing open the heavy oak door, a whiff of air mixed with the scents of incense, candles, and the chill of winter rushes in.
The interior of the church was solemn and quiet, with the last few rays of colorful light shining through the stained glass windows beneath the towering dome.
The prayers seemed to have just ended, and the few remaining people were leaving quietly and orderly with their heads bowed.
Before the altar, a silver-haired figure stood with his back to the door, head slightly bowed, hands clasped in front of his chest, seemingly performing a final, personal prayer.
It was Leonis.
She was wearing her simple nun's habit, her posture still upright as a pine tree, but she seemed to carry an indescribable heaviness than usual.
The setting sun cast a cool and graceful silhouette on her profile, her long, silver hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders.
Her eyes were closed, her long eyelashes casting a soft shadow on her cheeks, and her lips moved slightly as she silently recited a prayer.
Linde tiptoed, not immediately approaching to disturb her. He could sense that Leonis's inner world was far from as calm as it appeared.
The shockwaves brought by that diagnosis are probably churning violently under her fervent prayers.
Faith and instinct, vows and accidents, responsibility and confusion... countless conflicting emotions intertwined in her heart.
He stood quietly in the shadows of the back bench, his gaze fixed intently on the solitary yet resolute figure before the altar.
Her slightly protruding belly, concealed by her loose clothing, seemed barely noticeable under her focused prayer, but Lind knew that their shared life was being conceived there, a small miracle that would completely change the course of her life.
Leonis seemed unaware of Lind's arrival.
She was immersed in her own world, as if seeking guidance from the Lord of the Light Veins, or as if trying to calm her heart, which had been turned upside down.
The only sounds in the church were the faint crackling of the burning candles and her barely audible breathing.
Linde's heart also became calm and tender.
He knew he needed to give her time and strength.
He slowly took a step and silently walked towards the figure in front of the altar who needed his protection.
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