“A-Aether?” Xara stammered, taking a startled step back. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him—no longer the short illusionary version, but a taller, broader, and… without a doubt… the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on.
She didn’t want to be rude to her children—they were the most beautiful beings in her world, precious in every way—but Aether… Aether was something else entirely.
She hated to admit it, even to herself… but damn it, he was fucking handsome.
“Since you showed me your deepest secrets,” Aether began, stepping forward with a calm yet intense look in his eyes, “it’s only fair I show you mine in return.”
He extended his arms slightly, his voice steady and proud. “I am the Dragon Emperor.”
Telling turth?
That fast?
Wasn’t it dangerous?
Hell nah, this woman was different… Aether needed to be tricky one here.
Xara blinked.
Then stared.
Then—
“…Pfft—HAHAHA!” she burst out laughing. “Dragon Emperor!? Seriously?! Hahahaha! Oh my god… Aether… HAHA!” She laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. “Come on, are you for real? That’s your big secret? Are you writing a fantasy novel or something?”
Aether’s eye twitched. His lips curved downward in faint irritation.
This was not the reaction he expected.
He was being honest. Brutally honest.
And she was laughing!?
He stepped forward, gently grabbed her chin, and lifted her face so her eyes met his. “I’m telling you the truth, Xara,” he said, voice low but serious. “I am the Emperor of the Pyra Empire.”
“…” Xara blinked up at him, her laughter fading into stunned silence. “Seriously?”
“Yes.” Aether nodded, his expression unwavering.
Xara leaned closer—way closer—until their noses nearly touched, her eyes squinting in suspicion. “Seriously-seriously?”
Aether chuckled, a bit helplessly now. “Of course. Do you really think I’d joke about this? I’m literally showing you proof,” he said, gesturing to his body.
Her gaze followed his hand and moved across his form—his tall, muscular frame that radiated strength and nobility. Her eyes narrowed with focus, the scientist in her starting to emerge.
“Hmmm… this body… it’s not an illusion… it’s too real. The muscle tension, the bone density, even your aura… everything feels genuine,” she muttered, now poking at his abs as if she were studying a rare specimen. “How did you make this?”
Aether gave a soft laugh and let her continue her examination. “I didn’t make anything. I am Aether… from–“
“Wait, wait, wait,” she interrupted, looking up again, her face suddenly glowing with childlike curiosity. “Are you about to reveal something dramatic? Like what I showed you? A grand, dark, deeply personal truth?”
Aether blinked, then smiled at her energy. “Well… kind of, yeah.”
“Hmmm,” Xara tapped her lip thoughtfully, then grabbed his arm without warning. “Let’s move somewhere else first. I want to hear everything without interruptions.”
“…” Aether stared at her, a little stunned as she practically dragged him along like an overexcited kid discovering a new toy.
He had come here ready to pour his heart out… ready to finally let her in completely.
And she was reacting like… this?
He couldn’t help but chuckle under his breath, shaking his head with a fond, almost amused expression.
She was unique, alright.
Completely unpredictable, absolutely strange, and unapologetically herself.
While Aether was being dragged away to a quieter place by Xara, far away at the Empire’s border, a temporary military camp stood like a fortress of tension and protocol.
Inside one of the large tents, cooled by shade and breeze, Vesperine lounged gracefully on a soft cushioned sofa. A servant fanned her lazily with a giant feather while she sipped a chilled, fruity drink, her expression calm and composed as if she belonged there.
Across from her sat General Drakhairs. He had been summoned the moment the news had reached the camp—a human woman had arrived, claiming to carry the child of their king.
“Are you feeling better now?” he asked, his voice calm and unreadable.
After all, the woman had fainted after declaring she was pregnant with the Dragon Emperor’s child. That alone had been enough for her to be treated with temporary courtesy… at least until they could confirm the truth.
Vesperine gave him a gentle smile and nodded politely. “Yes, thank you for your hospitality,” she said with a soft tone full of practiced grace. Then, sweetly, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to tell my darling how kind you’ve been. I’m certain he’ll reward your hard work generously.”
Drakhairs’ lips twitched. Violently.
This girl was either really bold or really stupid.
“Little girl,” he said slowly, his tone controlled but edged with steel, “are you absolutely certain about your claim? My Emperor has never mentioned anything about this.”
At his words, Vesperine’s face changed—her earlier confidence melting into something more wistful. She blushed faintly and lowered her eyes before speaking in a quiet, melancholic voice.
“I know… he never talks about me. I’m no one important. Just… just a woman who happened to love him,” she murmured, her hand tenderly brushing over her stomach, “Even now… I’m not here for power or recognition…
I don’t want his Empire or riches… Honestly!
I just came to inform him… that he’s going to be a father. This child deserves a rightful father… that’s all.”
Her voice trembled ever so slightly with sincerity, and the way she smiled down at her belly—there was something truly maternal and pure in that moment.
Drakhairs frowned, rubbing his temples. Things were getting more complicated by the second. He knew his Majesty had relationships with multiple women… but none of those women ever showed up like this.
This was uncharted territory.
If the woman was telling the truth and truly carried the child of their Emperor, then she had to be protected. But on the other hand… she was still an outsider.
A stranger.
Suddenly, a guard behind him leaned closer and whispered, “Should we… inform the Empress? You know… she might… uhm…” The guard made a cutting motion across his neck.
Drakhairs didn’t even flinch. The gesture wasn’t taken as a joke.
Royal politics were ruthless. Especially when another woman threatened the Empress’s place. Everyone knew that—even the dumbest soldier on the field understood how savage royal dragons could be when power and pride were at stake.
Drakhairs shook his head firmly. “No. The Empress and the others are in the other Empire, working on the propulsion thruster project. Even my daughter is there, trying to prove her worth to His Majesty. Calling the Empress back now would be…” He took a deep breath. “…a catastrophe.”
If the Empress were to come back and find this woman—this possibly pregnant woman—without confirmation… and killed her in rage…
Wouldn’t that cause the Emperor to explode in fury?
And a conflict between the Emperor and Empress? No one wanted that.
Especially not now.
The Empire was barely recovering. After saving it, many disloyal citizens had started crawling back like leeches, hoping to return after abandoning them at their lowest.
Drakhairs had his hands full dealing with those rats already.
He sighed again. The Emperor had given him specific orders: unless the sky itself began to fall or the Empire was on the brink of collapse, do not contact him.
Apparently, he was busy… managing what he called “his disastrous calamities.”
Drakhairs didn’t quite understand that last part, but one thing he did know: his Emperor was doing something important.
‘What a man…’ he thought proudly.
If only he knew what that bastard was actually doing right now…
Anyway.
Drakhairs looked up, his expression becoming cold and authoritative. “Lady Vesperine,” he said calmly, “I’m sorry, but from this moment on, I must place you under custody.”
“Huh?” Vesperine blinked mid-sip, nearly choking on her juice. “C-Custody?”
“Yes,” he said, steely gaze unwavering. “Due to the Emperor’s strict orders, no one is allowed inside without clearance. What’s more, we’ve had recent incidents—several enemies infiltrated our ranks and even kidnapped important figures. I cannot risk the same. For now, you’ll be placed under room arrest. A medical team will examine your body to confirm whether you’re truly pregnant with His Majesty’s child. Once confirmed… I’ll call the Emperor myself.”
He couldn’t just baselessly call his majesty after all!
Vesperine’s expression changed from confused to horrified.
“W-Wait… Examine my body?” she stammered, her voice growing panicked. “W-Why not wait for him to return? I don’t mind waiting! Really, I’ll just wait here quietly!”
Drakhairs shook his head firmly. “You cannot stay here without proper verification. We—”
“I-I can wait outside too! Or in a tent! I won’t disturb anyone, I swear!” she rushed her words, her voice almost pleading.
Drakhairs frowned deeply, studying her reaction. “I don’t see a reason for you not to wait here… In fact, we’ll treat you with respect. If your claim is true, you might very well be the future Empress.”
Vesperine forced a smile, but sweat had started to form along her temples. “W-Well, I understand that, but… I’ll only allow him to examine me. No one else. Only my darling can touch me like that!”
That’s when Drakhairs’ expression darkened.
He glanced toward his guards, and with a single nod, they moved swiftly to shut the entrance flaps of the tent, sealing it from outside view.
Vesperine’s eyes widened… Panic.
“W-What are you doing!? You realize this is a serious crime!? Once my darling hears about this—!”
Drakhairs stepped forward, his aura turning deadly cold. “We have a law, Lady Vesperine. If anyone dares to lie about bearing the child of the Emperor—woman—they are to be hanged before the entire nation. As a warning. A lie that insults our Emperor’s name is not just a crime… It is treason against the crown itself.”
His voice dropped to a low, chilling growl. “We do not tolerate such disgrace. If your words turn out to be a puny lie… we will not hesitate.”
Vesperine’s breath hitched.
Her smile had completely vanished. Sweat trickled down her neck. The glass in her hand slipped slightly, her fingers trembling.
‘Oh… shit,’ she screamed internally.