When the humans attacked the elves back in her childhood, they had entered through this very forest where Celia now walked, likely because the defenses here were relatively weak.
She couldn't remember how long it had been since she last came here to play.
After the human invasion, she couldn't help but feel a certain shadow over this area.
If one looked closely, faint, irregular wheel tracks were still visible on the muddy ground near her feet.
These were marks left by the transport vehicles of the human slave-hunting parties.
It was these very same vehicles that had carted away over a dozen elves from her tribe last time.
Seeing these traces, a full ten years later now...
She still didn't know how those poor seniors were faring, or if any had managed to escape.
Were the humans who bought them good masters...
But just thinking about those people,a shiver ran through her body.
Subconsciously, she reached out and grabbed the hand of the man beside her.
His fingers gently hooked back, then turned to firmly envelop her hand.
It was a warm hand, completely different from her own now soft, small one.
It was broad, with distinct, hard knuckles, the palm bearing slight calluses that rubbed against the back of her hand.
Enveloped by such a hand,the taut string of her nerves, within this warmth, instantly relaxed.
"Are you scared?"
Liam stopped walking, his gaze falling upon Celia's petite form pressed tightly against him and her slightly trembling shoulders.
—Pitiful, like a little rabbit in the forest startled by the sound of a gunshot.
"No..."
Celia shook her head, gripping his hand even tighter.
Having lived within the tribe since birth, this was her first time venturing out, facing those terrifying humans.
The Liam beside her had thus become her sole reliance.
Celia couldn't suppress her trembling as she secretly glanced up at the man beside her.
His pale face showed no expression.
When he mentioned taking her out this morning, she hadn't felt particularly stirred, but now, standing on this very soil, those chaotic thoughts inevitably surfaced.
A faint regret began to creep in...
Yet whether she regretted it or not, given Liam's unyielding attitude, she would ultimately be dragged along regardless.
But... was it possible that once outside, Liam might sell her off?
Celia immediately dismissed the thought.
Liam, though peculiar, was certainly not that kind of man.
"No? You're trembling so much—do you think I wouldn't notice? Don't worry, just stay close to me. I'm not going to sell you. After all, you're my only beloved wife."
Or rather, do you need me to help relieve some stress right now?
Ryan raised his tone, his fingertips brushing her warm elven ears and tracing a gentle circle.
"N-no... um... I don't think that's necessary...?"
Celia's body trembled slightly as she replied hesitantly, stumbling over her words.
A bright blush—starkly contrasting with her doll-like pale and delicate complexion—flared up, extremely noticeable.
After spending time together these days, she understood better than anyone the hidden meaning behind some of Ryan's words.
The so-called "relieving stress"— it actually meant wanting Ai Cao…
She'd lost count of how many times it had happened.
Each time, she'd been so reckless, like a rutting beast.
However...
To be honest...
I kind of want it...
"Heh, so adorable."
The man chuckled in praise, his slender fingers pinching the girl's soft, smooth face and lifting it gently.
Her shy expression was completely exposed.
Celia merely pursed her lips, her moist, pleading pupils fixed straight on the man's cold, detached face. She looked as if she was about to cry.
"This expression," the man brushed his thumb over the girl's soft, pink lips, narrowing his eyes, "could it be that you actually want it?"
Celia turned her head away, her voice trembling as she said, "I don't."
In such a stifling environment, she truly missed that gentleness.
It was strange, even though he was a man...
But she had never taken the initiative, never once said, "I want it."
"Fine then."
Liam's face darkened instantly.
"I was planning to reward you properly, but if you don't want it, forget it. Let's keep moving."
"Huh?"
Celia jerked her head up, her red and swollen eyes filled with disbelief, as if she had let go of some precious rope.
This wasn't right.
This definitely wasn't following the script...
Usually, at times like this, no matter how she answered, shouldn't it all come down to one option: "I want it"?
A strong force tugged at her slender, fragile arm once again.
He quickened his pace, each step covering more ground, dragging her, helpless and stifled, behind him.
"Um..."
After stumbling, Celia hurriedly caught up with small, quick steps.
Her eyes were sore and stinging, and this time, she felt she was truly about to cry.
"What?"
Liam's pace didn't slow, and his tone was impatient, as if he was genuinely angry.
"If you have something to say, say it directly."
"If you don't want it, then hurry up. We only have one day. If we dawdle and waste time until the day after tomorrow, how will you take responsibility? Who will provide the nutrition for the child?"
What he said made sense.
But Celia couldn't hold back anymore.
She began to sob, running while wiping her tears, not daring to fall behind even a step—because if she did, with the force of Liam's pull, she would surely stumble and fall...
"Wah... L-Liam, sir, maybe... maybe I shouldn't go after all?"
"I can hatch the baby at home, and you can just buy it and bring it back... Wah... because I might just hold you back."
As soon as she finished speaking, the man's footsteps halted.
He let out a deep sigh, turned around, and stared at the girl with his tightly furrowed brows.
His gaze was profound and carried a hint of anger.
"Wh-what's wrong?"
Celia shrank back, her wrist still gripped by him.
With his current demeanor...
Was she about to be hit?
For a moment, she was too afraid to move, not even daring to breathe.
"Heh," the man broke into a smile, his expression softening as he crouched down and looked at the girl's tear-streaked face.
Strangely, he didn't wipe her tears away.
It was as if everything earlier had been a joke.
"Your crying face is so beautiful."
Pervert!
Feeling embarrassed, she wanted to reach out and wipe her tears herself, but the hand she extended was also firmly grasped.
"What are you doing..."
She spoke weakly, but her eyes glared at him defiantly.
The warmth of her tear-streaked face, cooled by the breeze, carried a slight chill.
She truly had no idea what this man would do next.
He was strange, insane...
"Just kidding."
Liam leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers, his tone softening.
"Now is not the time. Since you want it, wait until we check into the inn tonight. I'll give it to you then."
—Liam loved seeing her cry.
That fragile, tearful look of hers struck right at the deepest part of his heart.