Certain moments or experiences are simply unforgettable.
Lucian silently basked in the tranquility of the morning.
Though it was already six or seven in the morning, the surroundings remained cloaked in darkness.
The dim glow of the room's antique lamps cast a soft light over the vintage furnishings.
As for Lin Daiyu's "gift" to him...
It turned out to be herself.
Lucian couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.
The memories of the previous night lingered, and a foolish grin spread across his face as he hummed a tune.
"Hmm?"
His laughter must have been too loud, for Lin Daiyu stirred awake, her sleepy eyes gazing at him.
Tears clung to the corners of her delicate face as she murmured, "Master..."
Her cheeks flushed a deep red as she hurriedly sat up, her disheveled hair cascading down.
Her slender neck and half of her graceful, jade-like figure were exposed.
"Why don't you sleep a little longer?"
Lucian smiled, thoroughly enjoying the sight of her beauty.
"It's not that I don't want to, but today... I'd rather not get up at all," Lin Daiyu replied, her voice tinged with rare playfulness.
She wrapped her arms around Lucian's neck and rested her head on his shoulder, radiating an air of complete contentment.
"That's fine, Daiyu. You can rest all day, and I'll keep you company," Lucian said as he held her slender waist, a warm smile on his lips.
Lin Daiyu pouted slightly before suddenly bursting into laughter, her radiant smile lighting up the room.
Surprised by her sudden joy, Lucian asked, "What's so funny?"
"Master!" she teased, her bright eyes twinkling.
Lucian blinked in confusion. "Huh?"
"Masterrrr~!" she called again, her voice full of mischief.
Lucian's face darkened as he sighed, "Why are you calling me that again? Haven't I been here all along?"
"Are you bored of me already?" Lin Daiyu's tone shifted to one of mock sadness, her voice low and pitiful.
"Not at all!" Lucian exclaimed, his heart racing.
But then he noticed the faint smirk at the corners of her lips.
This girl was acting again!
"Stop playing around!" Lucian rolled his eyes, a mix of exasperation and amusement on his face.
He stood up. "Are you hungry? Let me prepare breakfast."
"Not hungry," she said, shaking her head.
Yet she mischievously poked his face with her finger, her playful antics continuing.
Lucian found her lively demeanor refreshing, so unlike her usual composed elegance.
At that moment, the door suddenly opened.
Qin Keqing entered with a tray in hand. "Master, are you awake? I brought some breakfast—"
She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes wide as she took in the scene.
Having been allowed to enter freely to deliver breakfast, Qin Keqing hadn't expected to see Lin Daiyu leaning against Lucian so intimately.
"Ah, my apologies!"
Qin Keqing's face turned bright red, her expression a mix of embarrassment and disappointment.
"Where should I put the breakfast?" she asked quietly, her tone carrying a hint of melancholy.
Lucian could only sigh inwardly and reply, "Hand it to me."
Qin Keqing approached gracefully, her snowy white dress accentuating her elegant figure.
She handed him the tray before quickly leaving the room, her emotions carefully masked.
As the door closed, Lucian breathed a sigh of relief.
Lin Daiyu chuckled softly, teasing, "Master, what are you afraid of?"
"Afraid? Me? Nonsense!" Lucian retorted, though his flustered tone betrayed him.
Lin Daiyu laughed, her teasing gaze fixed on him as she dragged out her words. "Oh~? Is that so?"
To avoid further embarrassment, Lucian grabbed a bun from the tray and declared, "Time for breakfast!"
"Alright," she replied with a playful smile, "but I don't have the strength to eat on my own."
With exaggerated effort, she lay back down on his lap, her demeanor one of complete dependence.
"Really? With your physique of over a thousand points?"
Lucian couldn't help but grimace at her antics, though he dutifully began feeding her piece by piece.
Lin Daiyu, clearly enjoying the attention, savored each bite with delight.
Once the tray was empty, she tossed it aside and turned to Lucian with a sly grin.
"Master, how long can you stay here?"
"Until midnight tonight," he replied.
"Then spend all your time with me," she said with a mysterious smile, her actions speaking louder than words.
Meanwhile, the repairs in the territory were progressing swiftly.
The city walls were rebuilt, and the defensive towers were restored.
In the [Hall of Heroes], revived warriors and mages began to emerge, their spirits renewed despite the harrowing battle from the night before.
At noon, Qin Keqing appeared with the [Territory Expansion Decree].
"Keqing, what's that?" Jia Yingchun asked curiously.
"It's a task Master entrusted to me," Qin Keqing replied, holding up the decree.
[Territory Expansion Decree (Temporary)]
Type: Tool
Quality: None
Level: 10
Effect: Expands the territory by 10,000 to 50,000 square meters.
Description: A reward for the strong-willed, for great leaders, must also possess unshakable determination!
This special reward was granted to Lucian due to his extraordinary willpower, demonstrated during the final battle.
Jia Yingchun activated the decree, releasing a burst of dazzling light that enveloped the land.
The ground trembled as the mist and darkness receded, revealing a larger territory.
Qin Keqing observed from a high vantage point, estimating the new dimensions.
"Based on Master's calculations, our territory should now span about 60,000 square meters!"
"Yingchun, you're truly Master's lucky star! We got the best possible result!"
Jia Yingchun's face turned bright red as she struggled to respond.