Waking up from nightmares had become a regular thing now for Simon.

Just like today, another nightmare, another panic attack.

His blood can heal physical scars, how he wished they can heal mental scars as well, but alas, one cannot have everything now, can they?

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Simon got down from the bed and got ready for another day.

It has been three years since Cassandra was executed and he thought that maybe in three years he can heal, but things didn't go as planned. His physical scars healed, but his mental scars were still there.

After he got dressed, he stepped out off his room, walking towards the dining room for breakfast when a voice was heard, "Brother!"

Turning around he saw a small girl of three years running towards him with a smile, Simon smiled and picked her up, "oh my baby, how are you A-Xiang?"

A-Xiang giggled, " I am fine brother," she said as she kissed Simon's cheek who smile with her as well.

This little bundle of joy was A-Xiang, Zhan and Yibo's adoptive daughter, Zhan had found her as a new born with the umbilical cord still attached, in the mud in the village of the lower caste.

He had gone to that village to see the conditions and all and how it can be rebuilt when he found her there, her mother's body was still there, she must have died while  giving birth.

Zhan picked the crying A-xiang and bought her home, since then she was a part of the family.

In the three years many things had happened Yanli married a man names Haikuan, a trusted general who had worked closely with Aval both now had a one years old son name Yuan.

Cheng and Wen Qing also tied the knot last year.

Things were going fine, and perfect.

A-Xiang was babbling in his ear and he was happily listening to her talk as he walked towards the dinning room.

Everyone was settled except him.

His father had talked about having an heir. Although Simon has no problem in having an heir the blood line has to continue and he knew that it was important, but before that he wanted to someone by his side.

"Good morning, father, dad!" A-Xiang spoke happily as Simon put her down and she ran to Yibo, "Good morning princess." he said and A-Xiang smiled before she looked at Zhan.

Simon greeted them too as he sat on the chair, Yibo and Zhan shared a glance as they looked at him, "Did you sleep well?" Yibo asked perfectly aware about Simon's night mares. 

"Yes father."

Zhan spoke, "You didn't have another nightmare did you?"

Simon chose not to reply to that he just casually ate his lunch, compared to the past Simon did not smile as much even if he did it wasn't so bright.

Yibo and Zhan of course noticed this and they felt bad for him they felt his cheerful untainted smile.

"What are your plans for today?" Yibo asked Simon, who thought for a while before answering, "Um... I am doing nothing special, today."

Zhan smiled, "That's great then... I was hoping that if you can carry out some work today."

Simon looked at him, "What work?"

Yibo spoke, "Well you see recently due to the flood in the lake village many houses have been destroyed, people have died and farms were destroyed.

Her majesty and we are planning to provide relife for the victims, and some supplies were send there as well, but on the way some robbers stole the food, leading to shortage and those helpless victims fought for food.

Her majesty was furious when she found this out, and she persinally wanted to go herself but of course she can't, so she wants some one else to go."

Simon nodded, "I understand is that the only reason?"

Zhan added, "actually no, Cheng told us that he think that it's not just a simple robbery he thinks that it was planned. So he is personally going and we think that you and Zhehan should go with him to assist him."

Simon pocked the insides of his cheek with his tongue as he gulped the food in his throat down his throat and drank some water, "So Zhehan is also going?"

"Yes." Yibo said, "And so you will go?"

Simon nodded, "sure. No problem."

Yibo smiled before he spoke again, "And there is another thing."

Simon sighed, "Father if this is about an heir then..."

"Simon." Yibo said, "you need and heir it's important, when I was your age I already had a three year old son."

Simon rolled his eyes, "Father please. Not now."

Yibo sighed, "Then when? Simon... you must have planned something right?"

Simon looked at Zhan who just sighed, "he is right Simon... you know that you don't have to get married to have an heir right? All you have to do is just..."

"I know dad I am not a kid and please A-Xiang is here." Simon spoke and A-Xiang looked at him when her name was mentioned.

"Then what's the problem?"

"I am just not ready I guess? I don't want to be duke right now and I don't want a child either."

Yibo's eyes widened he thought that Simon never wanted to have children and Zhan also looked at him, Simon understood that look, "I mean not now, father, not now. In future. Can we please stop talking about this now please."

Yibo wanted to speak but Zhan grabbed his hand and gently shook his head.

"Bye, bye brother come back soon." A-Xiang as she along with Yibo and Zhan came to say bye to Simon, who smile at her and kissed her forehead before he mounted on his horse and drove off.

Author's note: I think every asian can relate to this chapter lol 

Btw Simon is eighteen here and Zhan and Yibo are 33.