The next morning.

Willow Crawford opened her eyes, waking up in Morgan Ashworth’s embrace.

Now she lay on her side, nestled in his strong arms, as the brilliant morning light filtered through layers of curtains, casting a warm spring glow over the entire room.

Willow looked at Morgan, who was still asleep, and gently reached out her fair fingers to caress his youthful, handsome brow and eyes. It’s often said that beauty lies in the bones, not the skin, and he was naturally blessed with exquisite features that made him irresistible.

The years she had been acquainted with him, round and round, she finally arrived by his side, able to wake up in his arms.

Willow felt incredibly happy, she smiled softly.

At this moment, a lazy, husky voice sounded above her, "What are you giggling about?"

Morgan Ashworth had woken up.

Having just awoken, his dark eyes held a bit of grogginess. As a man in such a position, his sleep was always light, even when asleep he maintained vigilance. This night had undoubtedly been the most restful sleep of his life.

Whether it was due to physical exhaustion from the night before, or having her in his arms.

Willow gazed at him with her large, watery eyes, "I’m in a good mood, so I’m laughing~"

"Then tell me, why are you in such a good mood? Could it be... because I made you feel good last night?"

Willow quickly placed her small hand over his mouth, "Don’t speak nonsense."

Morgan turned over, pinning her beneath him, "Am I talking nonsense? Want me to help you remember last night, when a certain someone..."

Willow pushed hard against his firm chest, toppling him onto the bed. Boldly, she straddled him, pinning him beneath her, "Morgan Ashworth, if you keep being shameless, I’ll... hit you!"

Morgan regarded her playful visage, her pouty expression bathed in the morning light, making her seem lively and vibrant. He could hardly bear to look away, "Well then, go ahead, hit me."

"..." Willow bit her red lips, "Morgan Ashworth, are you thinking I won’t dare hit you?"

Morgan raised his brow, his voice turning tender and doting, "I said, if you want to hit me, go for it, my little princess Willow. I’m your steed, you can ride on my back and gallop freely."

She had always been his little princess, and he was her dark knight, willing to run to the ends of the earth for her.

Willow blinked her long eyelashes, "That’s more like it."

Morgan pulled her over again, and they rolled from the head to the foot of the bed, ending with a "thud" as they both fell off the bed.

Ah!

As her body fell rapidly, Willow let out a soft cry, thinking she’d have intimate contact with the ground, but Morgan turned her over, himself becoming a human cushion for Willow.

"Morgan Ashworth, are you okay? Did you get hurt?" Willow anxiously checked Morgan for injuries.

Morgan lay on the soft carpet, enjoying her concern for him, "Ouch, my head seems to have hit hard."

Really?

"Let me see, I’ll rub it for you." Willow immediately used her small hand to rub Morgan’s head.

Morgan took the opportunity to lean up and planted a firm kiss on Willow’s cheek, like sealing a stamp.

Only then did Willow realize she had been tricked, "Morgan Ashworth, you’re getting naughtier and naughtier!"

Morgan hugged her, holding her in his arms, "Don’t move, let me hold you for a while."

Willow smiled sweetly and also extended her small hands to embrace him.

...

Outside the door.

Eleven had arrived long ago and waited outside for over an hour. Normally, the master would be awake by this time, but today he had exceptionally slept in.

Eleven hesitated to knock on the door, but faint laughter came from within, the kind of intimate laughter shared between lovers, which made Eleven reluctant to interrupt.

Actually, in the five years following the master, this was the first time Eleven had heard such joyful laughter from him.

Half an hour later, the room door opened, and Morgan Ashworth led Willow Crawford out by the hand.

"Master, breakfast is ready, let’s eat first." the maid said.

Morgan led Willow into the dining hall, then Eleven approached and asked softly, "Master, do you want me to prepare... contraceptives?"

Contraceptives?

Though Eleven whispered, Willow clearly heard those words—contraceptives...

She had no need for them, as her body could no longer conceive.

"Master, I can have the maid concoct some herbal contraceptives that won’t affect Miss Crawford’s health," Eleven added.

Morgan didn’t give an opinion, he merely looked at Willow, "Willow, do you want to take contraceptives?"

Willow didn’t know how to answer. She wasn’t ready to reveal her physical condition to him; most men valued their bloodline and descendants greatly, especially high-status leaders who felt the need for heirs.

If he found out she could no longer bear children, would he despise her?

Her current life was too sweet and happy, everything she had worked so hard for made her greedy—she couldn’t bear to lose it.

But her body...

Willow looked at Morgan, hesitated, then whispered, "I don’t want to get pregnant right now. The key is your health isn’t great; it’s not the right time for us to have a baby..."

The hope deep in Morgan’s eyes instantly vanished—so she didn’t want a baby yet.

He could understand, really. She’s still young, they hadn’t even officially started a life together, bringing a baby into the mix would be too rushed, not the right time.

But he really wanted a baby.

A baby that belonged to him and her.

Morgan gave a small smile, "Alright, as you wish. Eleven, prepare the contraceptives."

"Yes, master."

The maid soon brought a bowl of dark medicinal brew. Morgan picked up the bowl, feeding Willow with a small spoon, "Open your mouth."

Willow obediently opened her mouth. The herbal medicine was really bitter; after sipping just a bit, she stuck out her tongue, looking rather comical.

Morgan gently wiped her lips, comforting her like a child, "Finish the medicine, and I’ll reward you with a candy."

Willow reluctantly drank half the bowl of medicine, watching Morgan’s expression. He showed no emotion, no trace of anger or joy, so she cautiously asked, "Morgan, do you want a baby? Do you want me to have a baby for you?"

Morgan looked at her, "Willow, even though you’ve only had half the medicine, I want to reward you with candy now."

What did that mean?

She was asking him a question, why was he talking about candy?

Morgan placed the bowl on the dining table, ran a hand through her hair near her cheek, and leaned in to kiss her red lips.

Only then did Willow realize... that was what he meant by "candy."