Eli was elated to know the effects of the concoction made by Azayn.
The elves were very well versed in medicine and magic. They were also a highly intelligent race. Hence, with Azayn and even Kayden looking after her and Little Han's health, she would surely recover in no time.
Add to the fact that what she drank just now were the recipe developed by the elves especially for her conduction. The herbs on the recipe were technically non existent in Seirende Empire. That was because all these herbs could only be found in the exclusive region of the Silver Dew forest!
"Azayn, these medicinal juices were so precious! How could I ever repay you for this?" Eli told Azayn with a grateful look in her eyes.
"Aishh! Do not worry about it! But if you really want repayment, just let me borrow more books for me to read! Hahaha!" Azayn nonchalantly replied. The herbs in the village are boundless, the medicinal juices were just a small thing.
Instead of being calculative of things like monetary value, Azayn appreciated knowledge more. Thus she looked at Eli with sparkling round eyes as she leaned forward and asked,
"I'll make sure that you'll be able to stand and walk around without pain in just a few days! With that, you could finally write some new inventions for me to study!!!"
The corner of Eli's mouth twitched. It turns out the motivation for Azayn to let her recover well was for her to come up with something new for her to study!
However, just as Azayn indulged her with these things, she wanted to return the favor and indulge her too. She was her first female friend in Prasinos, she placed greatly in Eli's heart.
Thus with a helpless voice, she let out a pampering smile and said, "Do not worry! I already have something in mind. It won't take that long for me to start working on that thing because it was crucial to our safety as well."
"Really?!!" Azayn excitedly replied with wide eyes. She excitedly clapped her hands and gave a delightful smile.
"Then I will work harder to get you standing nice and strong the day after tomorrow!" Azayn declared, obviously pumped up.
The two friends chuckled and chatted for a while before Azayn left for the village with the Emperor.
Although they have used the renewal of treaty to obviously visit Eli, the Emperor and Chief Eirllon still had to fulfill their duties to inspect the whole outer regions.
This is to ensure that the ecosystem in the Silver Dew Forest is in good condition. The treaty would no longer mean anything if the forest was already damaged beyond repair.
Hence, before they leave for the capital, the two leaders, along with the distinguished elven officials will take rounds in the forest for the next two days.
Queen Tehila on the other hand, stayed on the cottage to guide Leon and Eli in taking care of Little Han.
Eli warmly watched the Queen and Leon, fervently discussing how to dress Little Han properly as well as how to clean his body.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtQueen Tehila was quite stern while teaching Leon, however, Eli could clearly see that her eyes were full of happiness and delight whenever she saw Leon carrying Little Han tenderly in his arms.
Also, Queen Tehila and Eli had found a new hobby to laugh at Leon's misery whenever Little Han would make a mess everytime Leon held him.
One time, Leon was happily carrying Baby Han in his arms while coaxing him to sleep, however, he suddenly saw Little Han's sleeping face frown while his little body became tense.
Afterwards, he felt a warm liquid wetting his arms and chest.
"Awuuummm," Little Han yet again let out a comfortable hum while nudging his head on Leon's arms.
"Sorry to trouble you again daddy! I wuv you!" Is what he appeared to say with his actions.
Eli couldn't help but laugh at the interaction between the two. She noticed that Little Han would never soil nor wet himself when he was in her arms. However, he would do so when he was with Leon!
Everytime, Little Han would feel the need to do so in Eli's presence, Little Han would always cry in distress, letting Eli know that he was not hungry but in discomfort. Thus, the calamity of getting dirty because of Little Han would always be avoided by Eli.
But in Leon's arms, Little Han would do so with little to no warnings!
But despite that fact, Leon never let out his cold and angry demeanor towards Little Han, not even a drop of it. Instead, he would just freeze and look at him helplessly with a doting look.
What's more, this day old baby already knew how to appease his barbaric blood prince daddy!
"Awuuum~~~" He let out a happy whimper again after Leon had successfully changed his diapers.
"Look at how your son tried to appease me with that tiny smile.."
He calmly leaned near Eli and showed Little Han's attempt to charm him. His tone was flat and calm, yet his crystal blue eyes only looked at the little bundle of joy lovingly.
"Pfft! He's your son as well! You both look similar!" Eli replied with a warm chuckle.
Although Little Han's eyes were still closed, his complexion was already becoming clearer. It was also the effect of the crystal cradle. His development was not impeded even though he was born a month early.
According to Azayn, he will be fully developed after a week, thanks to the crystal shell. This did not only act as an incubator for Little Han, but also a nourishment to his underdeveloped body. Thus everyone would already see subtle resemblance of Little Han's features from this father.
Eli couldn't be happier with this development.
She thought that it would take her around three months to heal, but who would have thought that Azayn would nourish her with a miraculous concoction?
She thought that Little Han's health would be tricky and dangerous, but who would have thought that the crystal shell cradle was what they exactly needed for his condition?
But even until now, she could feel that the Creator and the guardians had taken care of everything for her well. She felt more than lucky. She felt blessed!
She looked warmly with a grateful smile on her face, looking at the father and son. She uttered deep thanks in her heart towards the Great One, "Oh Great Father! I couldn't thank you enough, for this much love!"
Her warm smile met Leon's indulgent eyes. The two froze as they felt their hearts skip a beat.
It just felt so perfect with the three of them together.
No matter how humble this little cottage is. No matter how hostile the world outside is.
No matter how complicated their identities were. No matter how tricky the circumstances were.
Her, Him and Little Han, were just meant to be together with bright smiles on their faces.
Eli and Leon knew very well. This atmosphere, this life that they had right now. It was just their second day yet they do not want it to end just like that.
In three days they had to separate.
In three days, they had to be apart from each other.
To protect Little Han, to protect their little family.
Leon had to be away. Eli and Little Han had to hide.
That's just the way it is.
Or is it really?
Leon was unwilling. He looked at Little Han, who was now peacefully sleeping in his arms after coaxing him.
A flash of determination appeared on his crystal blue eyes. He took a big gulp and looked at Eli who was also displaying a hint of anxiety.
"Eli.. Can we not take the risk?" Leon said in a gentle tone. To Eli's ears it was the gentlest tone she had heard from Leon ever since she knew him. This gentleness was full of helplessness.
He met Eli's shocked eyes with sincerity, "I do not want to miss this opportunity to be away from the both of you.."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"I do not want this moment to stop."
"Eli, can we not take the risk for this family? For our family?"
"I'll do my best to shield you and Little Han from harm. I'll do my best to be there when you need me."
"I'll do my best to build and strengthen this home that we built."
Leon's gentle tone turned to pleading. Anxiety and unwillingness could be felt in his low quivering voice.
"Eli, we finally had our home. Let us not stray from it."
Home.
Eli knew what this word meant, to her personally and even to Leon. The two of them spent a considerable amount of time being alone, far from their loved ones. Home that they wanted was this.
Home is in the presence of the one dearest to them, regardless of the location.
Home is where their family is.
Home is where He, Her and Little Han are.
Eli looked deeply at Little Han. He deserved every love she and Leon had for him.
Including their presence.
She was afraid, very afraid. What was waiting for them in the capital? What was waiting for them if they stayed here? What was waiting for Little Han when he grew up?
She was afraid that she couldn't shield him in danger and contempt. She couldn't shield him in the trouble and hostility given by the enemy.
However, there was only one thing she could give him right now.
And that was a home.
A family.
With her and Leon. With the Grandpas, Baobao and Wisey. With the Emperor and Empress. With Azayn, Kayden, Randel and Olivier.
"Eli, please.. Take the risk with me?" Leon pleaded one last time.
Eli curbed all the anxiety she was feeling. She steeled her heart to have the courage to nod her head and let out a simple hum.
"Uhn.."