Chapter 6
Before I could even finish speaking, Draco leapt out of bed, dressed, and bolted out the door to fetch the physician.
Less than fifteen minutes later, the doctor arrived in our room.
He placed his fingers on my wrist and began to examine my pulse, his brow furrowing deeply as he alternated between shaking and nodding his head.
The room was oppressively quiet. Draco sat beside me, his face etched with concern.
Finally, the physician stood and offered us a congratulatory bow.
“Congratulations, Draco. Clarice is two months pregnant. Judging by the signs, she should be ready to lay her egg in just a few
days!”
I had remained calm until that last part.
“Wait, what? Lay an egg?” I blinked. “Aren’t we talking about having a baby?”
Draco chuckled and gently stroked my head, explaining, “The snake clan is a bit different from the others. We lay eggs, then hatch our young.”
From the moment we confirmed the pregnancy, Draco wouldn’t let me lift a finger. He followed me around all day, trying to feed me tonics and supplements.
He even bought three Immortal Honey Fruits-legendary, priceless treasures said to be the most coveted nourishment for expectant mothers.
In my past life, Jacob had only ever let me have half a fruit. How could the impoverished snake clan afford three whole ones?
“How did you afford this? I thought the snake clan was supposed to be—”
Before I could finish, Draco sat beside me and held a freshly washed fruit up to my lips.
“Clarice, who told you the snake clan is poor? Look around our home. From the flooring to the vases-everything here is
expensive.”
I glanced around properly for the first time. The decor, though simple and clean, was unmistakably high-end.
“But isn’t the snake clan ranked last among the great families? Don’t they say you barely get a share of resources?”
Draco gave a soft laugh.
“We snakes have always kept a low profile. We earn our wealth through business, unlike the other clans, who rely on power and politics. If we ranked the clans by wealth, we’d confidently claim first.
“Our people pursue immortality. Most of our wealth goes toward cultivating and refining spiritual medicine. This world’s resources are limited. We have no interest in squabbling with other clans for scraps. Our ambition lies beyond all that.”
His explanation made everything click. No wonder every snake clansman I’d met had carried an ethereal aura. They were secretly training to ascend.
Now that I knew we weren’t short on money, I immediately dragged Draco out for a shopping spree.
Halfway down the street, we ran into Bella. Her belly was noticeably swollen as she clung sweetly to Jacob’s arm, picking out accessories.
Since her second pregnancy, Jacob had apparently forgiven her for her past betrayal. The two were back to playing the doting couple.
Now that Jacob was watching her like a hawk, there was no question this child truly belonged to him.
1/2
+15 Bonus
“Clarice, what a surprise to see you out and about,” Bella cooed, deliberately resting both hands on her belly to flaunt her
pregnancy.
I smiled politely. “I’m picking out a gift for Father’s upcoming birthday celebration.”
Her gaze drifted down to our empty hands and she scoffed.
“Well, make sure it’s something decent. Even if you don’t have much money, you shouldn’t embarrass Father.”
The snake clan hadn’t yet made my pregnancy public, and Draco worried her words might upset me.
He immediately stepped forward, shielding me behind him.
“Bella, our family matters are none of your concern. As for Father’s gift, we will prepare it with due care and respect.”
Bella gave a cold snort, flicked her sleeves, and walked off.
Seven days later, at the birthday banquet, Bella and I sat on either side of Father.
Her belly was enormous, clearly carrying more than one child. Mine, by contrast, was still only faintly rounded.
“You knew how to get pregnant all along and still hid it from me,” she sneered. “But it doesn’t matter, I beat you to it. You’ll never catch up now.”
I opened my mouth to ask what she meant, but a sudden sharp pain twisted in my abdomen.
It was the onset of labor.
Draco noticed right away. He sprang to his feet, scooped me into his arms, and rushed for the door.
Just as we were leaving, Bella suddenly began clutching her belly and moaning in pain.
Someone in the crowd cried out, “Bella is going into labor too! Get her to the birthing hall!”
At that moment, the sky lit up with a burst of violet light. Multicolored rays spread across the heavens, and birdsong filled the air
a divine omen.
Before I lost consciousness, I heard the sound of joyous cries echo through the hall, “It’s a heavenly sign! This child is destined
to lead us into a new golden age!”
