111: Chapter 111 Return to White Cliff! The Head Maid's Expectations! The Magic Communication Stone!

After leaving Oak Manor, Rowan did not linger in Gino City.

He first returned to Snow Velvet Manor by Still Lake, gave brief instructions to Elena and Mira, stating that he was returning to White Cliff Castle to handle some territorial and family affairs, and told them to live there in peace.

Elena was naturally obedient.

Although Mira wanted to follow, she understood that her current status was awkward, so she only urged him to be careful on the road.

After making arrangements, Rowan took a carriage, left Gino City, and headed towards White Cliff Territory...

Inside the carriage, Rowan closed his eyes to rest, but his mind did not stop racing.

The magic communication stone for talking with Sylvia was still in the hands of his head maid, Elise.

For the sake of finding a spacious new home for the children, he, as a father, had racked his brains.

Now that it was a critical juncture, it was time for the children's mother to contribute as well...

At dusk, the familiar towering outline of White Cliff Castle appeared at the edge of his vision.

The castle's stone walls looked exceptionally cold and hard under the winter twilight.

The carriage entered the inner courtyard of the castle.

Butler Henry was already waiting in front of the main castle gate with several servants.

"Master, you've returned." Butler Henry stepped forward and bowed, his voice slightly excited.

"Where is Elise?" Rowan asked casually.

"The head maid is in the backyard playing with the young masters and misses," Butler Henry said.

"Oh." Rowan nodded, not stopping his pace, and went straight to the backyard.

Before he even got close, a crisp, bell-like laughter drifted over with the wind.

On the open lawn of the backyard, Elise was holding up her skirt, laughing as she dodged the pursuit of two children.

Her long hair was slightly loose from running, and her cheeks were flushed a faint red from the exercise.

A girl of about three or four and two slightly younger boys were trying hard to move their short legs to grab the hem of her dress, and the four of them were laughing together.

On the softer lawn a little further away, there were four even smaller little ones, either crawling or walking unsteadily.

Almost the moment Rowan stepped into the backyard, Elise sensed it.

She stopped, turned her head, and upon seeing him, was first delighted, then gave a soft hum, and shot him a look that was half-pout and half-resentment.

At this moment, the children also noticed Rowan.

"Papa!" The eldest daughter, Mia, had the sharpest eyes and shouted first, her voice full of surprise.

"Papa is back!"

"Look! It's Papa!"

Cheerful, childish shouts rang out.

Several little ones wearing thick winter clothes cheered and rushed out from behind Elise, surrounding Rowan's legs.

Running at the very front was Mia.

The three-year-old girl had grown into a pretty child, inheriting her mother Sylvia's blonde hair and green eyes.

At this moment, she was trying hard to tilt her head, holding up a bracelet made of seashells and colorful stones, showing it off:

"Look, Papa! Mia made it herself! For Papa!"

Following closely behind were the second son, Aidan, and the third son, Finn.

These two brothers looked more similar, having Rowan's dark hair and amber eyes, but their personalities were already showing differences.

Aidan seemed more quiet; in front of Rowan, he tried hard to steady his breathing and stood up straight with a slightly shy demeanor.

Finn was more lively, directly hugging one of Rowan's legs and looking up with a silly grin.

Then came the fourth daughter, Maeve, the fifth son, Kaelen, the sixth daughter, Eileen, and the seventh daughter, Vera.

These four little ones were even younger and ran unsteadily, being anxiously protected by the nannies and maids behind them.

The youngest daughter, Vera, had just learned to walk not long ago. Being led by the hand by Elise, she was also opening her big, round, green eyes, curiously looking at her tall father.

Then she let go of Elise's hand, wobbled over, opened her short arms, and said:

"Papa... hug!"

Rowan saw this, first took the bracelet Mia had offered like a treasure and put it on his wrist, praising:

"It's very beautiful, Mia is truly amazing."

Then he bent down, picked up his youngest daughter, Vera, and sat her on his arm.

Elise stood to the side, a faint smile rising in her eyes, but then she glanced at Rowan again...

After playing with the children for a while, Rowan signaled the nannies and servants to take the reluctant little ones back to drink hot milk.

Although the children were reluctant, they were very obedient and left quietly under the guidance of the servants.

The courtyard quieted down again.

Rowan handed Vera, who was already dozing off in his arms, to the waiting nanny, and then walked over to Elise.

Elise met his gaze, raised her delicate eyebrows, and her tone carried a hint of imperceptible resentment:

"I heard that the Master made quite a splash on this trip and attracted a lot of attention. Even the area around White Cliff Castle has become much livelier."

"So, you finally decided to come back?"

Rowan heard the worry hidden in her words.

He smiled, didn't answer, but reached out, wrapped his arm around Elise's slender waist, and led her towards the top floor of the main castle.

Elise's body stiffened slightly, but she didn't resist, leaning obediently against his side as they returned together to the master bedroom on the top floor of the castle, which had an excellent view.

The bedroom was as warm as spring, and the fireplace had long been lit.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows was the gray winter sea and sky meeting at the horizon, with waves crashing under the cliffs, emitting a dull roar.

Closing the door, everything from the outside world was cut off.

Rowan released Elise and walked to the window, gazing at the vast scene outside.

Elise walked to his side and watched quietly as well.

"Winter by the sea is always colder," Elise said softly, "but it's quite warm in the castle."

"The children have been very good and obedient while you were away."

Rowan turned around and looked at her.

His fingers gently lifted her beautifully curved chin, making her raise her head to face him.

In Elise's somewhat wild eyes, his figure was clearly reflected, but deep down, a hint of imperceptible anticipation was hidden.

He didn't say anything more, just leaned down and kissed her slightly parted red lips.

Elise softened immediately, wrapping her arms around his neck and responding passionately.

Clothes fell to the floor...

The firelight from the fireplace danced on the rising and falling figures.

Outside the window was the cold sea and sky.

Inside the window was the scorching breath and intertwining.

...

After the storm subsided.

Rowan leaned in the soft lounge chair by the window.

Elise lay on his chest, still breathing slightly, her cheeks flushed with a charming red.

Rowan's fingers absentmindedly coiled the light blonde hair that had scattered on his chest, his gaze looking out the window.

The sea and sky blurred their boundaries in the distance.

The setting sun was sinking heavily, spilling its light onto the surging sea, casting patches of broken gold.

After a moment of silence, Rowan spoke:

"Elise, help me contact Sylvia."

"Huh?!" Elise's body stiffened visibly, and she sat up abruptly, "What's wrong?"

"Suddenly want to contact the Lady? Didn't you just return from Gino City? Could it be..." She thought of some bad situations, and her face turned slightly pale.

Rowan looked at her reaction, feeling somewhat speechless.

"Don't overthink it..."

He rubbed the head maid's hair, thought for a moment, and began to briefly describe what happened in Gino City.

Including the Church recommending him as the lord of Golden Flame Territory.

And... he needed the Latour Family's critical support in The Senate.

As he spoke, Elise's eyes widened, and the expression on her face went from astonishment to disbelief, and then to deep shock.

She sat up, looking Rowan up and down, carefully re-examining him, as if meeting him for the first time.

"You... are you really a Great Knight now? And you were designated by the Church as the lord of Golden Flame Territory?"

Her voice was slightly distorted by shock.

She knew Rowan was strong and had secrets, but she never imagined that in just over a year since the Lady left, he had reached this point!

A Great Knight!

Count of Golden Flame Territory!

What an illustrious status that was!

For a small country baron, this was simply—

Like a snake swallowing an elephant, reaching the heavens in one step!

"That's right." Rowan smiled.

"So, I need to contact Sylvia."

Elise opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but worry appeared in her eyes: "But..."

"I know." Rowan caressed her slightly furrowed brows, "Leave it to me, I will talk to her..."

Seeing Rowan's confident appearance, Elise seemed to think of something and gave him a charming, reproachful look.

She no longer hesitated, got up from the Master, walked barefoot to the corner of the bedroom, and took out the magic communication stone.

Rowan took it.

The magic communication stone began to light up...