Chapter 3

Elara raises one finger.

“First, I will sit in on state affairs and give my opinion.”

Then she raises a second finger.

“Second, after my child is born, he must become the next Dragon King.”

The Queen Mother’s hall goes silent.

The Queen Mother snaps the beads in her hand.

“Absurd!”

Elara doesn’t even lift a brow.

“If Mother thinks it is absurd, I can simply get rid of the child.”

Her hand falls back to her belly.

“It is only an abortion potion. One bowl, and it’s done.”

Kaelen shoots to his feet.

Every servant drops to their knees.

I kneel with them, my heart almost jumping out of my throat.

Elara still sits there.

She looks at me, her eyes bright with open contempt.

“Why is Lydia so scared?”

“Weren’t you so good at proving your loyalty last night?”

I lower my head, wishing I could shrink into a crack in the floor.

Elara lets out a soft laugh.

“A woman like you has only one path left. Use your belly to beg for favor.”

“Too bad. Even after throwing away your pride, your belly still can’t deliver.”

I don’t dare answer.

But the baby voice by my ear starts rolling with anger.

【I’m so mad! She has a miracle in her hands and wants to smash it, but she still thinks she’s so smart!】

【This isn’t bargaining. She’s throwing herself into a firepit!】

【And she wants to break me before she goes? Dream on!】

I bite down hard on my lip.

But the voice keeps cursing harder and harder. When it curses that even a rock has better survival instincts than her, the corner of my mouth still twitches.

Just a little.

But Kaelen sees it.

His gaze stays on my face for a moment.

Elara is still sneering. “Your Majesty, I will give you one day.”

“If you have not decided by this time tomorrow, I will go to the Royal Healers myself and take the potion.”

Kaelen suddenly turns.

“Ready the escort.”

Elara’s brow relaxes. She thinks he has backed down.

In the next second, Kaelen adds coldly, “To Lydia’s rooms.”

My head jerks up.

The smile on Elara’s face disappears too.

……

That night, Kaelen steps into my bedchamber.

I hold a cup of tea, but my hands shake so badly that half of it spills.

He glances at it and does not take it. “What?”

“You’re afraid of me?”

My knees go weak and I try to kneel, but he reaches out and catches my wrist.

“You were brave enough when you talked back to the Queen.”

I force out a dry reply.

“I was… scared out of my mind.”

The Lucky Baby whispers excitedly beside my ear.

【Stop shaking. If you want to be my mommy, you need a stronger heart than this!】

【Hurry, sleep with him!】

Oh my God.

Little one, do you hear yourself?

I close my eyes.

Kaelen looks at my pale face and slowly leans closer.

“Since you want it, I’ll give it to you.”

“Let’s see if your belly can back up that mouth.”