Hearing Nina call him “bro,” Taylor—whose skin was normally thicker than a fortress wall—actually flushed for once. Arthur stared at him in mock surprise. “Taylor! Are you blushing?” Taylor shot him a glare, but Arthur, having been in his shoes before, knew exactly why—and he wasn’t above making it obvious. Taylor quickly changed the subject, turning to Nina. “Why did you run away as soon as you saw me? I searched everywhere for you.” “I…” Nina hesitated. The day before, when Taylor had first woken, the room had been full of noise and excitement, and she hadn’t thought much of it. But when she’d gone to his room later, intending to talk to him like always, she found him awake and alert. In that instant, the “Sleeping Handsome” she’d known was gone, and she’d panicked. She’d fled without thinking, needing space to adjust. Seeing her discomfort, Ashley stepped in. “She just wasn’t used to seeing you awake and got startled, that’s all.” Taylor nodded thoughtfully. “Then should I go back to sleep?” That earned him a round of laughter. Ashley grinned. “Don’t you dare. You don’t know how worried we were when you were out—especially your parents, and Arthur.” Taylor eyed Arthur skeptically. “Is that so?” Ashley nodded firmly. “Of course. Until you woke up, he never truly relaxed.” Taylor’s mood lifted at that—until Arthur ruined it. “Wife, you’re forgetting again,” Arthur corrected seriously. “Call me ‘husband,’ not by name.” Taylor’s smile vanished. Scowling, he took Nina’s hand. “Come on. Let’s not stick around just to watch them flaunt their love.” “What are you talking about?” Nina asked, but she followed him anyway. Ashley shot Arthur an exasperated look, but he just kept a straight face. “I wasn’t wrong. No matter where we are, you should call me ‘husband.’” He took the opportunity to steal another kiss. Ashley jumped, glancing around. “We’re outside!”Arthur only grinned. “We’re married. What’s wrong with kissing my wife?” Her cheeks flushed pink under the morning sun, her delicate skin glowing. Arthur thought that if he could look at her like this for the rest of his life, teasing and laughing together, he’d be completely satisfied. Three years later, both had graduated from Governance University. It was the day they officially reached the legal marriage age in Lioran. Arthur held up two IDs. “Come on—let’s get our marriage certificate.” Ashley nodded, smiling. “Okay.” Though they’d already held their wedding and were husband and wife in every sense, they’d been born and raised in Lioran. Getting their certificate there felt important—a symbol in its own right. Ashley’s legs had long since fully healed, and in those years she’d built her business into a thriving success. Hand in hand, they walked to the courthouse, passing other couples just like them, excitement in their steps. Inside, they took their photo, recited their vows, signed their names. The official seal came down, and in that moment, they became a legally recognized couple in Lioran. Holding the red booklet in their hands, both felt a rush of joy. That evening, the butler had prepared a candlelit dinner for them at the mansion. But halfway through, Ashley suddenly gagged, leaning over the table as a wave of nausea hit her. Arthur’s heart jumped into his throat. Dropping his utensils, he rushed to her side. “Wife, what’s wrong?” “I don’t know,” she murmured, shaking her head. She was healthy, always active, rarely sick. Arthur immediately called for the family doctor.