Caspian paused, his brow furrowing as he looked at her hand resting on her stomach. The transition from ’jealous husband’ to ’protective father’ happened in a heartbeat.

​"For a pure Dragon of the High Peaks? Usually three winters," he said, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "But you are a human, and I am the King. My blood is stronger, more aggressive. Our elders used to say that when a Dragon claims a female from another tribe, the spark is so hot the child tries to claw its way out before the first moon can even turn."

​He leaned in closer, his hand hovering near hers, not daring to touch yet. "Why do you ask? Do you feel him moving? It should be weeks before you feel the first kick."

​Hana stared at him, her mind racing. It seemed like Caspian had no clue that the first kick wasn’t going to come in weeks but days. Thirty days. That was how long the baby in her belly had to grow.

So, was she going to be round and puffy like Lira in a matter of two weeks?

She already accepted being pregnant, but... if she’s that round and heavy, how will she move around however she likes? How will she beat down the beasts who try to get on her nerves without feeling that her belly is dragging her down?

Pregnancy... she dug her fingers into the swell. She had never once imagined herself being a mother and had never once pictured herself holding a baby, smiling with all the warmth in the world, but...

She did promise herself one thing after experiencing the brutality of her family.

If she did have a kid one day, or kids, she would treat them equally. If one did wrong, she would correct them; if they did right, she would praise them. She would never let either of them feel the unfairness she felt when growing up.

Thinking up that memory made Hana’s chest heavy. But she knew her priorities when it came to having a child of her own.

If I’m bringing a life into the world, she thought, her jaw tightening, I’m making sure it never has to wonder if it’s wanted.

Then, the tension released from her jaw, and she sighed.

How was she even going to cope with taking care of a baby in this dangerous world anyway? It was all starting to matter now that she knew she was running out of time.

Suddenly, the system chimed.

> ​[CRITICAL ADVISORY: GESTATION RISKS]

> Current Risk Level: SEVERE.

> Fact: Biological compatibility between Human (Base) and Dragon (Ancient King) is 0.04%.

> Warning: Without specialized medical intervention from the [CIVILIZATION STORE], the birth process has a 98% mortality rate for the mother.

> ​System Insight: Survival is locked behind the debt. Clear the 1,091,880 Karmic Points to unlock the ’Universal Autodoc’ and ’Draconic Supplement Formula.’

> Failure Condition: If the debt is not cleared within 26 days, both host and offspring will be terminated by biological strain.

​So, I’m not just paying for my life, Hana thought, a bitter chill settling in her chest. I’m buying the right to survive the birth. The debt wasn’t just a number anymore; it felt like a ransom.

And it was heavy.

To think she would have to worry about not just surviving, but ensuring this baby growing in her would survive as well.

Well, it was still the same thing because clearing the debt was mostly for her sake. The child just came in like a side package.

​While she was grappling with the death sentence hovering over her, Raiden crawled toward her on the mattress. His emerald eyes were fixed on her belly, glittering with an unsettling, greedy wonder.

​"Say, Hana," Raiden whispered, his nine tails swaying slowly behind him. "The dragon is so fast... so greedy. After his child is born, will you birth mine next? I think a silver-haired fox would look much more beautiful in your arms than a scaly—"

​Hana didn’t even let him finish. She planted her foot squarely in his face and kicked him back.

​"Get away from me!" she snapped, the irritation finally breaking through her shock.

​Raiden tumbled backward onto his own mattress, clutching his nose and pouting, though his eyes still danced with mischief.

"That hurts, Hana. What would happen if my gorgeous face got scarred?" He purred, but all Hana could think of was how to shut his mouth.

He knew a surefire wagon how to irritate her more when she was already losing her mind.

Anyway, she decided to let go of that thought for now. She would keep doing what she planned to do. Find the rest of the seven Aegis Corps bunkers, create a community with the resources, and clear her debt to 0.

Only then can she survive after 26 days in this world.

​Hana stood up, smoothing her dress. "Alright. We’ve delayed enough for one morning. We’re having breakfast, and then we work. I’m not going to let anyone slack off today." She said, her eyes falling on Raiden. "Got that?"

Raiden snickered.

​She turned to the massive, hovering Dragon King still on his knees and said, "Caspian, I need a bath. The ridge was dusty, and right now I feel like there’s a grain of sand sticking to every part of my body. Take me to the lake."

​Caspian’s eyes lit up, his tail thumping the floor with a force that made the crates rattle.

"A bath. Yes. I will guard the waters while you cleanse."

And this was the same beast who, back then, said he was a king and could not be reduced to a guard. How cooperative he had become.

Caspian stood up, looming over the other two with a smug, triumphant grin. He had been the one to get her pregnant, and now he was the one who got to take her to the lake. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

He felt important. Very, very important.

​"Raiden, Kulu," Caspian barked, his voice echoing with the authority of the King. "You heard her. I will guard her while she bathes, so you two go hunt something fit for her. If you bring back skinny birds or bitter roots, I’ll feed you to the lake fish."

​Kulu stood up quickly, his face serious. "I will find the best red deer in the valley, Hana. I promise."

​Raiden just rolled his eyes, picking up his mirror to check if Hana’s footprint had ruined his ’perfect’ nose. "Fine, fine. I suppose the general must provide for the troops. Come on, bird-brain. Let’s see if your wings are actually good for catching things or just for looking pretty."

"Hmph! I shall prove my worth." Kulu exclaimed as he turned to start heading out.