Arthur and Ashley had both successfully graduated from Governance University, completing their college life together. Lioran, the place where they were born and raised, had always been home. When they reached the required age, the two returned there to register their marriage. Two years ago, shortly after graduating, Ashley became pregnant and gave birth to their son, Norris. They named him Norris, hoping he would live as freely as drifting clouds and wild cranes—unbound by convention, content and at ease. The highest form of life was to live authentically: to do what one wished, to refuse what one did not. That was true freedom. That night, in the main hall of the palace, Heaven’s Cult was now under Arthur’s full control, and he and Ashley had officially moved into its spacious central residence. They often stayed there for stretches of time when they weren’t away. Even after having a child, Ashley’s figure had returned to its youthful elegance, her movements still light and graceful. Motherhood had only added a mature charm that made her even more captivating. After dinner, Arthur was about to draw her into a deeper, more intimate conversation when Ashley suddenly turned pale and retched. In the five years since Norris’s birth, Ashley’s health had completely recovered, even improving thanks to regular exercise. She rarely experienced nausea—except during her first pregnancy. Alarmed, Arthur rushed to her side. “Honey, what’s wrong?” Ashley thought for a moment. “I think… I might be pregnant again.” At those words, Arthur’s face went white—not with joy, but with shock. “How?” He had always been careful, never taking risks except during safe times. Yet here they were again. The memory of Ashley’s difficult pregnancy and painful delivery with Norris still haunted him—the exhaustion and suffering written all over her face. He had sworn then that they would have only one child; he would never put her through that pain again. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t form the words. How could he tell her not to keep the baby? Ashley looked at him in surprise. “What’s wrong? You’re not happy?” The last time she’d told him she was pregnant, he’d been so thrilled he’d spun her around the room in delight. Arthur’s voice was low and strained. “Honey, pregnancy is so hard… and the delivery—” Before he could finish, Ashley understood. She smiled warmly, her heart swelling. So that was it—he was afraid for her. “Even though those ten months were hard, I had you with me every step of the way,” she said. “With your care, I didn’t feel it was hard at all. And don’t you think Norris is adorable? If he grows up alone, he’ll be lonely. I want him to have a sibling, someone to grow up with.” She remembered clearly that before they were married, Arthur had once said he wanted both a son and a daughter. Hearing her, Arthur sighed and pulled her into his arms. “I just don’t want you to suffer.” Ashley reassured him. “Yes, there are uncomfortable moments during pregnancy, but feeling a little life growing inside me—it’s amazing, isn’t it? We created that life together.” Arthur’s hand drifted to her belly, as if he could already sense a tiny heartbeat within. At last, he sighed again and said nothing more about ending the pregnancy. But he silently vowed to be even more careful in the future. He called for the family doctor to examine her. A skilled old physician, personally found by Benjamin, arrived without complaint despite the late hour. After taking Ashley’s pulse, the doctor’s face broke into a smile. “Congratulations—your wife is expecting again! And it’s a girl. She’s already two months along.” The words lit up both their faces. A girl! That meant they would have both a son and a daughter—Arthur’s wish fulfilled. They thanked the doctor warmly and saw him out. Arthur couldn’t stop kissing Ashley, his heart full, while Ashley’s eyes shone with quiet happiness.