Deep in the village, a wooden house was hidden among the dense shade of trees.
Abundant natural magic lingered all around. Being here made one feel completely relaxed.
Finally, they were home.
Celia ran forward, eager to knock on the door, but she forgot about the heavy egg in her arms—she simply couldn't free her hands.
When she turned around to seek help, she saw a slender arm reach over her head. Its knuckles pressed against the wooden door, and two heavy knocks rang out, dull and clear.
"Thank you, Lord Ryan," Celia said gratefully.
"Who is it?" A response came immediately from inside, in a soft, sweet girlish voice.
Celia knew this voice all too well.
Sure enough, the next moment, after a flurry of quick footsteps, the door was yanked open abruptly.
A tiny elf girl with golden hair came into view. She wore a green-toned elf dress, had a fair and lovely face, and bore a faint resemblance to Celia.
This was Sissy—Celia's mom.
As soon as Sissy stepped out, she recognized her daughter at a glance, and her face instantly filled with shock.
"Celia, how did you... so soon?"
Before she could finish speaking, her gaze fell on the object in her daughter's arms. Then she caught sight of the man standing behind Celia. She immediately covered her mouth, freezing in place.
"Mom," by this point, Celia also felt an unexpected awkwardness. She took a tentative step forward, clutching the egg carefully in her arms, and spoke in a soft voice, "I gave birth to the baby."
"My dear, it's only been three days! What on earth did Lord Ryan do? How could you possibly..."
"Huh?"
Sissy seemed to notice something else.
"This aura..."
Ryan, standing behind Celia, raised his hand and ruffled the top of her hair, explaining softly, "No need to doubt anything. I planted this in her with my own hands the day before yesterday—I just used a few methods, that's all."
Celia gripped her skirt, widened her eyes, and lowered her head.
She'd almost forgotten about this. Just two days with Ryan, and she'd laid an egg—it didn't make sense no matter how she thought about it.
"No, no, no, I'm not doubting," Sissy hurried to say. "I know my daughter's aura better than anyone. This egg is almost entirely filled with it—I can even feel it through our bloodline."
"It's just that you're far too powerful, Lord Ryan."
"My daughter has only just..."
Sissy's doubts gradually faded, but a hint of worry appeared on her face instead.
She held out her small hand and gently brushed Celia's fair cheek.
"This egg is so big! Did it hurt?"
"A little."
"Oh right, I hid a bowl of porridge in the cabinet—saved it specially for you, to help you recover."
"Mom, Lord Ryan already gave me something to drink. He's given me some every day these past two days."
"Is that so?" Sissy's lips parted slightly as she looked at the tall, noble-looking man behind her daughter.
"Thank you for taking care of her, Lord Ryan!"
"Just call me Ryan," Ryan replied calmly, while his hand wandered unobtrusively over Celia's cheek.
Celia's face turned red. She gently took hold of his hand—being touched by Ryan in front of her family filled her with a sense of shame. After all, she'd been a boy once! Sissy had watched her grow up as a son, but now she'd become someone else's...
"Hehe, I see," Sissy chuckled. "It seems the title 'Lord Ryan' is already exclusive to my daughter now."
Sissy accepted the situation quickly.
"Alright, come in quickly! We elves might not mind the cold, but Ryan, you must make sure to keep warm."
She reminded him gently, then stepped back, pulling the door open wider to make room.
Then she looked at her daughter—small and seemingly fragile—and asked,
"Celia, are you tired from holding the baby? Do you want mom to take her for you?"
"No, I'm not tired. Lord Ryan cast a magic spell to help me," Celia said, stepping inside first.
"Really not tired?"
"Really not."
"Then let me hold her for a bit, okay?"
"Mom, the baby needs to absorb nutrients from me all the time. If she leaves me, she might feel uncomfortable."