New Life, New Task: I'll Be A Mom Then!!!

In contrast with the intensely sinister atmosphere in the capital, it was ever warm and loving on a specific cottage in Silver Dew Forest.

The Emperor and the Second Queen wore ecstatic smiles all day long as they saw the little new family cope up with their new life.

They couldn't be even more proud that their son, Leon, was so supportive and attentive towards his little wife.

The grandpas also could see how Eli, Little Han and Leon slowly become a family unconsciously. If only they themselves could feel the changing atmosphere around them.

They could only sigh in sadness.

It was so heartbreaking to see this family separate! The four elders thought the same! Exchanging looks, they all convene in the living room with a serious and downcast expression.

"Is there really nothing we can do but to see them be separated from each other?" Grandpa Andi voiced his concern first.

He was the longest to know Eli among the four. He also knew how Eli was mentally prepared to take on life as a single mom before, but who could reject a life with companions? Grandpa Andi was unwilling to let Eli be alone at this point in her life!

"It was both crucial to go back to the capital and stay by Eli's side. We are equally helpless in this matter too." Emperor Valentin replied with a heavy sigh.

If only they need not to draw away the suspicion on Little Han's birth, he may as well let Leon stay at least until Eli fully recovers. But alas! The matters in the capital will be complicated if they acted rashly.

Everyone was helpless in this matter. The Grandpas also thought that they could simply bring Eli to the capital until she recovers and reveals herself fully. But the most important thing was, what was the youngsters' decision in this matter?

Sigh…

While the group of elders were contemplating, the atmosphere between Eli and Leon was a little bit awkward and tense.

"Leon… I am really all right.. You do not have to do this." Eli was blushing as Leon was calmly laying out his makeshift bed on the floor beside her.

"Do not worry, I've slept in places with worse conditions than this. Besides, it will be convenient for me to be beside you, lest you need someone to assist you on something." Leon replied resolutely. His face was as calm as a deep river, his eyes were as attentive as a hawk watching his prey's every move.

"But…" Eli was too embarrassed to voice her concern. Although Leon was Little Han's father and they have more or less a partnership, it wasn't enough for her to be comfortable letting him sleep in one room.

Leon, seeing Eli's troubled face, felt helpless and dejected in his heart. He knew well what Eli's meaning was. It seems like it will still be a long way to go for him to be able to get Eli's trust and heart.

However, he still looked at her with a calm and steadfast gaze while saying, "I know what you are worried about. I don't have any good rebuttal regarding that, only that in your condition, this is the best arrangement."

"I can carry you when you need to relieve yourself in the comfort room. I can change your sheets when it is dirty. I can bring you water when you are thirsty and I can come before you immediately when you are in pain."

"This is all I can do to make it up for the suffering you went through while giving birth to Little Han. It is not only my responsibility as his father, but is what I'd also like to do for you, simply because of how I feel about you." Leon explained lengthily yet straightforwardly.

He couldn't promise Eli that he had pure intentions, because they both knew what he felt about her. It's better to come clean and be logical.

Eli was then again caught off guard by Leon's sudden confession.

She was rendered speechless, it was very logical however the last part made her heart pound wildly. This man had always been gentle yet straightforward in approaching her, single minded yet tender.

However, she didn't want to take this moment for granted. What she was afraid to do was getting attracted to Leon just because the time was convenient for her to do so.

Dependence is not always equal to love.

Needing someone is not equivalent to yearning.

What if one day, they would discover that they weren't meant for each other. The level of the investment on their current relationship must be clearly defined. She didn't want to stumble on the cold reality that he was meant for another woman all along.

Boundaries must be set. Walls must be built.

Leon watched Eli's every expression and move. He had more or less understood Eli's reservation. However, why must a man quit just because he faced rejection?

"Eli, I understand. But also understand mine. Please do not underestimate my resolve."

He replied with his low magnetic voice. There was a tinge of grievance in his tone, clearly he was hurt by Eli's worries regarding their relationship.

Eli froze and a tinge of guilt appeared on her dark midnight eyes. She knew that at the end of the day, Leon was a prince, he could actually order her to marry him by force, yet he didn't do so out of understanding and respecting her feelings.

It would be truly hurtful if she keeps on insisting on her own ideals without considering Leon's.

They both lived and grew in different societal standards. But that doesn't mean that one's values are higher and more nobler than the other. One must understand another and meet half way when disagreements come their way.

"I'm sorry.. Leon.. Just give me a bit more time." Eli said in a downcast and guilty manner.

Seeing Eli's appearance droop like a guilty puppy, Leon couldn't help but find her adorable.

Although Eli was clearly stressed and spent because of birthing Little Han, Leon could clearly see that Eli grew by leaps and bounds in terms of her womanly aura.

Is that the change brought by motherhood?

He could feel that she was more beautiful, more strong and more appealing to his eyes. Especially when she carried Little Han in her arms and tenderly smiled.

His heart would always pound so wildly and his eyes would always be drawn into her pale cheeks and pinkish lips. He always had the urge to tenderly caress it and…

!!!

Leon pinched himself awake. What was going on in his mind? What kind of things did he want to do with Eli?!

Impure thoughts! Impure thoughts! Go away!!

He breathed heavily and tried to suppress his evil thoughts calmly. Husssssh!

Eli heard Leon let out a heavy sigh, she thought that Leon was still aggrieved, so she hurriedly racked her brains to compose some words to apologize to Leon. Only to feel a warm and gentle pat on the head, she looked up to see Leon half kneeling on her bedside.

The corner of his lips have a slight curve as she could closely inspect his cold yet unparalleled beauty. "Don't worry too much, just take a rest while Little Han is asleep." He said softly as if lulling Eli to sleep.

No longer protesting, Eli allowed Leon to carry her to adjust into a sleeping position. Then he carried Little Han's cradle beside him so that he would be the first one to wake up should Little Han cry or feel hungry.

Soon, the little family of three peacefully called the night.

While the four elders comically peeked their heads at the door looking at them like the young people who were members of a fan club. They all smiled in bliss seeing their harmonious little family and quietly closed the door to allow them to rest.

--

"Aaaaw.. Wooo.." A tiny vulnerable whimper was heard in the wee hours of the night.

Leon alertly opened his eyes and attentively scrambled in his makeshift bed.

The rustles he made also caused Eli to sleepily open her eyes. With a delicate and soft voice, she looked at the startled Leon and uttered, "What's the matter?"

"Our Little Han is crying.." He said with a frown, clearly troubled.

He didn't know what to do.

Why do babies cry in the first place? How will he know the cause of Little Han's discomfort?

Seeing that usually calm and composed Leon wearing a troubled face, Eli let out a fluttery chuckle and requested, "May you light up the room first? Then let's see if he is hungry."

"Uhn.." Leon was a bit panicky as he used magic to light up the lamp in the room while hearing Little Han's whimpers.

After doing so, he first lifted Eli up to let her sit on the bed then hurriedly carried Little Han in his arms.

However, as he touched Little Han's bottom, his nose catched a whiff of a foreign and milky smell.

His whole body froze as he felt his hands the slightly wet swaddle cloth, multiple dark lines appeared on his ever calm forehead.

"Awummm…"

As if knowing that his daddy finally realized what's wrong with him, Little Han let out an enthusiastic hum while a slight curve appeared on his tiny face. He was now nudging his little head on his father's palms.

"Daddy will clean me, finally!" Is what this little bunddle of joy saying through his expression.

Seeing the helpless and darkened expression of Leon, while staying on a half kneeling position carrying Little Han stiffly without moving for almost a minute, Eli realized what happened.

Little Han just made his daddy wake up because he pooped!