Chapter 4

Rowan seemed to truly love my unborn daughter. He changed from his usual unpredictable moods and became much gentler.

As for his leg, it was only slightly injured, but it didn't affect his walking. I had no idea why he insisted on staying in that wheelchair.

Ten months later, news arrived from the palace that Briar had given birth. At the same time, I went into labor. I lay on the bed, sweating from the pain as the doctors' and aids' voices drifted in and out around me. Suddenly, a sharp cry filled my ears.

My daughter, Raven Hunter, was born. At that moment, my entire world seemed to light up. I lifted my head, trying to get a look at her, but everything went black and I passed out.

Before losing consciousness, I vaguely heard Rowan's furious roar. Was he disgusted with our daughter?

When I woke up, it was already the next day. My bed was empty. Rowan was gripping my hand, dozing with his head resting on the bedside.

I sat up in panic. It felt like I was reliving my past life when my offspring were forcibly taken away after each birth. Tears fell uncontrollably.

"Rowan, where's Raven? Where did you send her? Please give her back to me."

In my past life, Damien had done precisely this, snatching away my daughters right after I gave birth. They suffered somewhere I couldn't see and died quietly. From birth to death, I never even got to meet them.

He hadn't just killed them, but destroyed the world's hope as well. I grabbed Rowan's hand desperately. "Please, I'll take her and go far away. I won't interfere with you taking a new wife."

Rowan touched my head gently. "The wet nurse took Raven to feed her. What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"

He held me carefully, comforting me, then had the wet nurse bring our daughter back. It was only when I held the tiny bundle in my arms that I finally calmed down.

I looked up at him. "Did Briar have a son?"

"Yes. The Wolf King named him heir."

"Aren't you angry? Or afraid they'll mock you?"

Rowan raised an eyebrow. "What's there to be angry about? Even if they gave birth to solid gold, it wouldn't matter to me.

"As for mockery, isn't the fact that your husband is a cripple enough for them to laugh about already?" Rowan touched Raven's little face, then mine, looking completely serious.

"I don't know why you're so insecure, but I'm different from them. Before I met you, I never wanted to have any offspring. She's my daughter, and I'll love her just as much as I love you."

…

Time passed, and Raven had inherited my bloodline, looking every bit like a little serpent. She grew steadily, thriving each day. Touching her chubby cheeks always filled me with contentment.

That day was surprisingly pleasant, so we brought Raven outside to soak up some sunshine in the snowy landscape. Suddenly, one of our people burst in with urgent news.

"My lord! Amazing news! The northern forest that's been frozen solid for years is finally melting!"

Rowan was ecstatic and dragged me along to witness it. The endless frozen wasteland was thawing.

As I walked closer with Raven in my arms, I could see fresh buds emerging from the dead, icy trees. Vines curled and spread at lightning speed. It was miraculous.

Rowan and I had both lived through the endless winter and had never witnessed such vibrant life returning. Raven giggled and waved her little fists, almost like she was taking credit for it all.

The entire territory buzzed with excitement over the forest coming back to life. That was when Briar showed up out of nowhere with her and Damien's son.