"Regarding this point, the instruments didn't detect anything. But our research into Ancient Humans is still insufficient, so the results may not be accurate. It could be spontaneous amnesia caused by trauma, or it could be enforced amnesia due to external interference. Either way, I suggest you let the Ancient Human Research Center's team take over as soon as possible—they'll be more professional."
"Ancient Human Research Center? Isn't that in the Soter Republic?" Leberli frowned. Once outside the Auslan Empire's jurisdiction, he might not be able to protect Suisui.
"No." Ruka almost didn't hesitate, refusing directly: "Suisui is very sensitive. She never says anything, but I know how easily she gets anxious. She's only just started to adapt to life in the secondary palace—I won't hand her over to anyone."
Ruka's voice was steady and forceful, but only Leberli, who knew him well, could tell that there was a faint tremor as he spoke, a tightly restrained panic.
For the rest of the time, the director gave the two of them a detailed account of the habits and traits of Ancient Humans, along with a thorough regimen tailored to her physical condition, and precautions for pregnancy.
"…Those are the main things you need to pay attention to. Lastly, I must remind you again—physical adjustments are easy, but the mental aspect is much harder. According to the report, Miss Suisui has recently been frequently uneasy and tense. This isn't good for her or the fetus, so I hope you'll take it seriously. Although, by human age standards, Miss Suisui has just come of age, according to interstellar life expectancy, she's still in her juvenile stage."
When Ruka heard this last sentence, his fingernails dug into his flesh.
After they expressed their thanks, Leberli left with him, and as soon as they got out of the director's office, without another word, Leberli threw a punch at his face.
Ruka didn't dodge or flinch—he took the punch hard, stumbling back two steps. He ran his tongue over his molars wordlessly and left, but Leberli blocked his path.
"Where do you think you're going? You want to see her?"
Leberli rarely got angry. Even when he did, it was usually cloaked in teasing or jokes. This was the first time he'd shown his emotions so blatantly.
"You must be pretty pleased with yourself, Sikoses. The kind of female others line up for and still can't get, you just tossed aside so irresponsibly—and even got her pregnant during her juvenile stage. You're a disgrace to the Empire, a shame among males!"
At his accusation, Ruka's back stiffened. He lowered his eyes, his hands tightening into fists. "You're not the one I need to explain myself to, so I'm not saying a word to you."
Hearing this, Leberli lunged at him again, swinging his fist. Ruka only defended, not retaliating. Normally, Leberli wouldn't be a match for him at all, but for some reason, Ruka didn't defend several vital areas this time, letting Leberli hit him hard again and again.
He clutched his abdomen as blood kept rising in his throat, coughing it up.
Leberli finally stopped, glaring at him: "She's carrying your child. No matter what really happened before, let me ask you again—are you going to be her mate?"
A male can only choose one mate for life, and Ruka had already been offered by the Sikoses Family to the Princess, becoming her designated mate, just waiting for the official ceremony to announce it to the whole Empire. Before that, Ruka was already labeled as the Princess's mate—everyone knew it.
Leberli naturally knew this—after all, back then he was one of the candidates, until Ruka replaced him.
"Sikoses, since you know your status, why did you get close to Suisui? She doesn't know anything at all. Don't tell me you don't either?"
The questioning brought the director's words back to Ruka's mind, and his heart twisted with pain.
He'd known how fragile she was from the first moment he held her—her delicate, soft body shrunk into his arms, making him afraid to use any strength. That frail little thing ended up carrying his child… That night, he could have pushed her away—her wrists were so thin, even both together he could have easily circled them with one hand. But he didn't want to; all he could think of was possessing her.
When the passion faded, he'd thought about taking her and leaving the Empire, but without the Sikoses Family, without the Military Department, he was just a male without even a Talent—how could he protect her?
Would she be disappointed in him?
Thinking of those deep, clear black eyes, Ruka felt a wave of panic. He didn't dare look into such pure, clean eyes—afraid he'd see indifference there… or even disgust.
It turned out, he'd already fallen into that soft, gentle world, which was why he kept making mistake after mistake.
Ruka wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his fingertip and slowly stood up.
Leberli waited for a long time, seeing that he still wouldn't say anything, and gritted his teeth: "Sikoses, I look down on you. Since you can't let go of your family's duty and glory, then let me be the one to protect Suisui."
With that, he shook out his wrist and turned to leave.
The medical staff, hearing the commotion, wanted to help Ruka, but he refused. They watched him walk off alone, in the opposite direction from the waiting room, leaving only a solitary and unwilling figure behind.
Waiting room.
Suisui yawned; lately, she found herself getting sleepy all the time.
"Ruka and Ash aren't back yet?"
The male nurse thoughtfully brought her a soft pillow and a down quilt.
"Please rest for a while. I'll go and check for you now."
"Thank you."
Those simple three words made the male nurse blush. He'd worked here for years, and attended to plenty of females, but never had one thanked him so earnestly. He bit his lip to restrain his excitement and left with dignity.
The moment the door closed, Suisui heard a shriek from the corridor—she felt like she was seeing monkeys swinging from vines in a forest.
Soon, she drifted off to sleep, and had a strange dream. In the dream, she was being chased by a mighty lion, running desperately. Just as she was about to shake it off, several little lion cubs appeared by her feet—one biting the hem of her clothes, another hooking her ankle with its tail, others rolling over showing their bellies and acting cute. She was about to pick one up when she suddenly felt a wetness on the back of her neck—it was the big lion catching up and licking her neck with its rough tongue.
Suisui jerked awake in fright, and was confronted with a magnified handsome face.
"Why are you sweating so much? Are you cold?" Leberli hurriedly wrapped her up in his arms, cocooning her in a blanket, whispering to comfort her.
"Why did you two take so long?"
She took a moment to collect herself, ignored that ridiculous dream, poked her head out from the fluffy blanket, looked around, and asked, "Where's Ruka?"
Leberli's smile froze for a second, then returned to normal. He mopped the sweat from her forehead, tucked the blanket more securely around her, and finally said, "Oh, him? He went to see a doctor."
"Is Ruka sick?"
"Yeah, sick in the mouth—if he doesn't get it treated, he'll die for sure."
"?"
After speaking, Leberli gently stroked her small belly, his gaze tender.
"Suisui, should we have a baby together?"