Not many people in the Birch Pass were aware of Harper's return. Yet there was a remarkable change in the atmosphere there. It was as if, all of a sudden, the gloomy air around the city was lifted. Both Jack and Joshua were still hiding in the military camp. They didn't dare to show up in the general's residence out of the fear that Matthew would settle accounts with them sooner or later.

It was morning. The first ray of the sun made its way through the window to touch Harper's closed eyelids. She opened her eyes to the peace and coziness of her bedroom after a long time. Matthew was sleeping peacefully right beside her. A complacent smile appeared on Harper's face. Even Matthew had such a restful night after a long time. Harper stretched out her hand and slowly moved her index finger along his jawline. Just then, Matthew grabbed her hand and planted a kiss at the back of her hand. "Good girl, don't be naughty," he said with a mischievous smile.

Harper smiled back at him. "I'm planning to go to the imperial capital of the South Kingdom," Harper said after waiting for a few moments.

"No way," Mat

not going with you, won't you go there on your own?" Matthew looked into the deep and bright eyes of the woman he was holding in his arms. He knew he was too indulgent towards her. Yet, he could do nothing about it as he couldn't say no to her. Even though Matthew was aware that she would put herself into danger and no matter how much he wanted to keep her safe, he always found himself giving in to her wish just because he could not bear to make her sad.

"I put you ahead of everything else in my life," Harper said, nestling her head against Matthew's chest. "Are you not satisfied with it, darling?"

"Hmm. But that is how it is. Isn't it? Women always put their husbands first. They obey, admire, and respect their husbands. But in your case, it's different. When you feel happy, you spoil me. But when you are unhappy, you always leave me alone. Can you show me one wife who treats her husband like that?" Matthew's words exuded a mix of humor and annoyance. In fact, he could never understand what kind of person his wife was. But he was so deeply in love with her that he accepted her the way she was.