Chapter 2

Although father disapproved of my decision, when he saw the resolve on my face, he didn't press further.

He simply sighed and tried to console me. "If your life in the peacock clan becomes too difficult… perhaps Alice can help you out."

But when Alice found out I had chosen to marry into the peacock clan, she couldn't resist mocking me to my face.

"Ella, even if you couldn't marry Max, surely you didn't have to stoop to the declining peacock clan? Don't end up starving to death before you even manage to bear a child. I heard they're struggling just to stay fed these days.

"The dragon clan is wealthy beyond measure. Even their bathwater is infused with precious divine herbs. If your life gets too miserable, I can pack up some leftovers and send them your way!"

She covered her mouth and burst out laughing, ignoring the awkward glances from the servants around us.

In Alice's eyes, the dragon clan had vast resources, and Max's devotion would guarantee a swift pregnancy. She was certain I'd miss my chance at bearing the first half-beast child.

But she had no idea how difficult it was for humans and beastfolk to conceive. Nor did she know how obsessed Max was with having an heir.

When I didn't show signs of pregnancy after six months, he began taking out his frustration on me, tormenting me day and night.

Only after I used a secret technique to conceive and gave birth to Charles, securing the dragon clan's claim to power, did Max finally relent.

I offered Alice a calm smile. "You needn't worry about me, dear sister. Since I've chosen my husband, I'll live with my decision without regret."

"What's there to be proud of? You're marrying a penniless nobody!" Infuriated by my composure, Alice slammed the table, scattering the pastries across the floor. "I'll be the first one to get pregnant. My child will definitely be the next ruler of the alliance!"

I ignored her tantrum and went off to prepare for my wedding in three days.

In one thing, she wasn't wrong—the peacock clan was indeed very poor. I worried they might not even have the money for a proper gown, so I planned to prepare one myself.

To my surprise, that very evening, David came in person to deliver my wedding dress.

It was the first time I truly saw his face.

His skin was pale, almost bloodless. His long, narrow eyes carried a quiet authority, and the emerald green of his irises held a mysterious depth. Yet the teardrop mole at the corner of his eye lent a subtle grace to his otherwise austere expression.

Inside the box lay a floor-length gown of deep green tulle. The bodice shimmered faintly with scales—diamonds—stitched into the fabric.

I had never seen such a beautiful dress. For a moment, I was completely captivated.

"Ella," David said calmly, "this gown was hand-stitched by our peacock clan's finest seamstresses. Each diamond was a blessing offered by our people."

His gaze carried a deliberate detachment, as if the person marrying me wasn't him at all.

"This is the first time our peacock clan has ever wed a human. If anything has been done poorly, you're welcome to tell me."

"Thank you," I replied. "I truly love it."

Just as I was about to put the dress away, Alice strolled in, arm-in-arm with Max, smug and beaming.

"Ella, don't tell me this is the only gown you got? Max had twenty dresses made for me. Twenty!"

Max looked down at Alice with affection in his eyes.

Alice only knew of the dragon clan's famous loyalty, but she didn't understand it was rooted in their biological instincts—and their intense obsession with offspring.

If she failed to conceive, would Max still treat her with such tenderness?

David's grip on his peacock staff tightened slightly before he raised his eyes to meet mine.

"If the peacock clan has caused you any grievance, Ella, I can promise you this—I, David, will never betray you in this lifetime."

Alice snorted. "Anyone can talk sweet. Let's see if you can actually produce a child!"

Now, all she ever talked about was children. Her infertility in her past life had become a thorn in her heart, and now she was fixated on getting pregnant. Even before marrying Max, she had already moved into his home.

In that sense, she and Max were a perfect match—both obsessively fixated on heirs.

"Alice, perhaps you should focus on your own wedding. People might start to think you've set your sights on my fiancé instead."

I smiled faintly, and under the sour expressions of Alice and Max, I took David's hand and walked away.

Behind me, I could still hear Alice's shrill voice clinging to Max, her words faint but unmistakable: "pregnancy," "child," "next ruler."

Oh, my foolish sister! Even after a second chance at life, she still believed that a child was her only path to power.