Chapter 2

Richard sighed and tried to comfort me. "If things get too difficult with the Noctis family... Maybe Clara can help you."

When Clara learned that I had chosen to marry into the Noctis family, she could not resist sneering right in front of me. "Irene, you might not be able to marry Eli, but why settle for some lowly vampire family that has long since fallen? Don't starve to death before you even get pregnant. I hear they can barely feed themselves.

"The Valtore family is the strongest and richest of the five great vampire families. Even their ghouls are carefully fed rare herbs. If life gets too hard for you, I can pack up some scraps and send them over."

Clara covered her mouth and burst out laughing, ignoring the embarrassed looks from the servants around her.

Clara believed that with the Valtore family's vast resources and Eli's faithfulness, she would be pregnant in no time. She was certain I would lose my chance to be the first to give birth to a hybrid.

However, she had no idea how difficult it was for humans and vampires to have children together. She also had no idea how desperately Eli wanted an heir.

In my previous life, when I still was not pregnant after six months of marriage, he had started taking his frustration out on me, tormenting me day and night. He only calmed down and let things ease after I used a secret technique to get pregnant and gave birth to Seren, securing the Valtore family's power and ruling status.

I smiled calmly at Clara. "Oh, my dear sister. Don't worry about me. I've chosen my husband, and I won't regret it."

"What are you so proud of? You're marrying a nobody!" Clara growled, furious at my calm. She slammed a hand on the table, pastries falling to the floor. "I'll be the first to get pregnant. My child will be the alliance's next ruler!"

I ignored her tantrum and kept preparing for the wedding that was in three days.

Regardless of everything, she was right about one thing. The Noctis family really was poor. I was worried they might not even be able to afford a decent gift, so I planned to make one myself.

However, I was pleasantly surprised when Lorian brought my wedding dress over personally that night.

It was also the first time I could see his face clearly. His skin was pale, almost ghost white, and his golden eyes looked quietly mysterious. A teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of his eye softened his otherwise cold appearance.

A pale golden gown lay inside an exquisite box. It was not extravagant, but I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. There were no jewels, but as the light shifted, faint, ancient patterns appeared on the gold satin.

How elegant and refined.

"Irene," Lorian said calmly, "This gown was made especially for brides who would marry into the Noctis family. The last time it was worn was a thousand years ago. Now, it's yours."

His gaze was deliberately distant, as though he was not the man about to marry me. "This is the first time our family has welcomed a human bride. If there's anything wrong, please tell me. I'll do my best to fulfill your request."

"Thank you," I said. "I really like it."

Just as I was about to put the dress away, Clara walked in on Eli's arm with a smug smile. "Irene, don't tell me that's your only dress. Eli had ten dresses made especially for me. Ten!"

Eli looked down at Clara affectionately.

Clara only knew that the Valtore family was powerful and faithful. She did not know that their power and fidelity came from how much they valued children and their obsession with having heirs. If she failed to get pregnant, would Eli still treat her so gently?

Lorian clenched his fists, then raised his head and met my eyes. "Irene, in the name of the Noctis family, I swear that I'll never betray you for as long as I live."

Clara scoffed. "Anyone can make pretty promises. What matters is whether you can actually have a child."

I knew all Clara could think about now was having a child. Her infertility in our previous life had become her obsession, and all she wanted to do now was to get pregnant. She had even moved into Eli's home before marrying him because of that very purpose.

In that sense, she and Eli truly were a perfect match. They were both obsessed with having an heir.

I said, "Clara, maybe you should focus on your own wedding. Otherwise, people might think you have your eyes on my fiancé."

I smiled faintly, ignoring Clara and Eli's irritated expressions, then took Lorian's hand as I walked away. Behind me, I could still hear Clara whispering in Eli's arms. Her voice was soft but clear enough for me to hear the words "pregnancy", "child", and "next ruler".

Oh, my dear sister… Even with a second life, she still thought having a child was her only way to gain power.

A fool, through and through.