“…Please let me give birth to it.”
“Erilyn… Without you, I…”
“I want to live… I don’t want to die like this!”
Something without form grinned eerily.
In that moment, unseen red threads entwined the fingers of three people.
***
Knock, knock—
“Lord.”
A man stepped through a heavy and gold-adorned door.
He spoke with eager eyes and a voice full of rising excitement.
“Just now, the egg cracked.”
“What about Rita?”
“She’s standing by.”
A silver-haired man with hair tinged like pure snow, rose from his seat.
They soon arrived at the birthing chamber of the Evienne family.
He looked at a single egg with his clear, pale blue eyes—the only one that survived out of the three.
It was the smallest so it was expected to die early. However, survival came as a surprise and it stirred greater anticipation.
Heirs born this way were usually strong.
Crack—
The egg began to split.
Through the fine cracks etched on its shell, a white film meant to protect the hatchling appeared.
Excitement stirred among the elders watching over the birthing chamber.
When the egg fully broke, no one made a sound. Not even a breath.
Except for one ‘person.’
“Waaah!”
And so, on that day, for the first time in 138 years, an heir of the noble Baekryong clan was born.
***
Blink, blink.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t even move a single finger. So for several days, I could do nothing but blink.
All I managed to figure out during that time was one thing— I had somehow turned into a newborn baby.
How in the world did this happen to me? It didn’t seem like things had gone terribly wrong, though.
Let’s take it slow and go over everything, step by step.
Right before I opened my eyes here, I had been delivering a speech to the people of my empire—as a princess.
I stop on top of a high podium, reading my prepared speech for about ten minutes. When it was time to say the final line…
Right. That’s when the attack happened.
I had prepared for over a week to make that speech perfect, and I didn’t even get to finish it before everything ended.
And just like that, I died in a miserable and brutal death. That moment was the final memory of my previous life
I want to live…
In that brief moment, I desperately wished to live.
I don’t want to die like this!
I had never believed in any god before, but I found myself praying in desperation.
Anyway, after lying still for a few days and thinking things through, I came to a conclusion: The way I am now must be the result of some (possibly existing) god giving me one more chance.
So, the goal of this life is simple— to climb to the very top, the peak I couldn’t even dare to look at in my previous life.
I don’t know yet what kind of family this is, but judging by the opulent surroundings and Rita’s clothes, it’s probably noble.
If I want to climb higher, I’ll need to make this mansion mine first.
For that, I must prove my worth to the owner of this house and its people.
Power can come later.
“Young Lady.”
A woman I hadn’t even noticed coming in gently scooped me up in her arms. At that moment, the long string of thoughts in my head came to an abrupt end.
“You’re up early today. Aren’t you hungry?”
Her name was Rita.
She had introduced herself politely the first time she saw me even though I could barely babble. That was just a few days ago.
But the funny thing is, how come she’s the only person I’ve seen these past few days? Where are my parents?
Judging by the room filled with rather expensive-looking items and the clothes Rita’s wearing, this definitely doesn’t seem like an ordinary household.
“Uooaah.” (Where are my parents?)
“Yes, yes, I know. It’s still a bit hot—I’ll let it cool a bit more.”
As if on cue, Rita waved a milk bottle in front of my face.
As expected, she didn’t understand a word I said, which was frustrating.
I wish I could speak already but that will take at least two years.
Before long, the unwanted bottle was placed in my mouth.
Despite my feelings, my tiny hands gripped it naturally as I gulped down the perfectly warmed formula.
It’s hard to believe I’m small enough to be drinking formula…
Sigh. Fine. Let’s focus on what I can do right now: eat a lot and grow fast!
***
A heavy silence settled over the council room. All twelve elders held their breath, each one silently watching a single man for his reaction.
The man seated at the head of the table swept his gaze across them without a word. After a long pause, as if his tangled thoughts had finally settled, he brushed back the bangs that lay neatly over his brow.
Under the lights, his silver hair gleamed. Then, the stern expression he had worn moments ago softened into a calm, composed smile.
“Is there any elder here who can explain this situation?”
But his words were not nearly as gentle as his expression.
The elders that are already tense stiffened even further.
“Which elder has found a way to explain this to the other families, who are waiting for the heir to be announced?”
Even in the face of the man’s openly reproachful tone, none of the elders could easily speak.
They had their reasons. Though they felt unjustly cornered, the truth was undeniable.
Three days ago, something had happened within the family—an unprecedented event, so extraordinary that no record or example of it could be found in any historical text. They had known he would ask about it, yet not one of the elders had come up with a viable solution.
The Evienne family was one of the Four Dragon Clans—direct descendants of the Baekryong bloodline, steeped in long-standing tradition.
Which was precisely why this incident was so serious.
Though Hale Evienne, the head of the family, showed no outward sign, his mind felt as blank and rattled as if every one of his scales had gone numb.
The heir we waited so long for… turned out to be human…
Everyone in the White Dragon Clan, including Hale himself, desperately wished someone would just say it had all been a mistake—some kind of manipulation.
But who in their right mind could’ve pulled off something so bold as to breach the fortress-like defenses and swap out the egg kept in the sanctum?
Hale shut his eyes tightly, forcing himself to stop thinking.
However, that didn’t mean he was going to let the elders sitting before him off the hook so easily.
After a long silence, the topic of the child was pushed aside, and the meeting resumed with other agenda items.
About an hour had passed. Now, only one matter remained on the agenda: the child who had become the sole heir of the Baekryeong Clan—despite being human, not a dragon.
If this were an internal matter, they might have been able to buy more time to think it over.
But because it concerned all of the Four Dragon Clans, the announcement could no longer be delayed.
In fact, the three-day delay had already been seen as a generous grace period by the other clans.
“…Lord Hale, what do you plan to do about the child?”
As always, it was Hale’s aide, Theo, who voiced the question everyone else had been avoiding.
“I’ve given it some thought.”
To Theo’s relief this time, Hale wasn’t dodging the question.
That was unusual for him, as he typically avoided decisions until the last possible moment.
“I need to see the child first.”
Theo quickly suppressed the smile creeping up his face.
***
For some reason, Rita was unusually busy today. She polished the furniture until it gleamed and dressed me in more layers of clothes than usual. It felt like she was trying to make me look good for someone…
Wait. No way—am I finally meeting my parents today?
“Kyahaha!”
“Oh my, are you in such a good mood because you’re wearing such a pretty outfit today, my lady?”
Well, the laugh was more from excitement, but let’s just say it was thanks to her effort.
“The lord of the house will be here soon. You need to keep smiling like this when he arrives, okay?”
The lord? With this level of wealth and being called the lord of a household, maybe he’s a duke?
Whatever he is, I couldn’t wait to meet him. I was dying to know what kind of people my parents were.
Rita sat me down gently on the baby crib and placed a rattle in my hand. Then she went back to whatever she had been doing.
It wasn’t long before the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from nearby.
“You’ve arrived, my lord.”
As Rita opened the door, a man stepped inside.
Long silver hair like fresh-fallen snow, translucent skin, and pale blue eyes that shimmered like light through ice.
This beautiful man… is my dad?
“So, we finally meet.”
My handsome dad stepped closer and even kindly bent down to my level. His soft, silvery hair fell over his shoulder like a waterfall.
Wow… Up close, he’s even more stunning. So this is what people mean by eye candy…
His pale blue eyes studied me closely, tracing over every inch of my face.
Then, he slowly straightened his back. Disappointed by the sudden distance, I instinctively reached out with both hands—and he held out a single index finger for me to grab.
Without thinking, I clutched it. Surprisingly, his fingertip was rough with calluses.
He looked like someone who’d never even touched a weapon, like a delicate prince from a painting—and yet, his hands told a different story.
“But Rita, doesn’t she seem a bit big… for a human baby?”
“I thought the same, so I asked Angela about it. She said it’s probably because of the pheromones you gave her, sir.”
“Explain more clearly.”
“While the young lady was still in the egg, the pheromones you infused into her must’ve… well, it seems she might have inherited some draconic traits.”
…Huh? A dragon? Where did that suddenly come from?!
“So that’s why only her eye color takes after me.”
“Yes. Judging by her hair, the human side is probably—”
“That’s enough. This isn’t the place to discuss it.”
Judging by how serious they sounded, they weren’t just making this up to mess with me. Not that anyone expects a newborn to understand what they’re saying anyway.
But… seriously? Was I really born into a dragon family? Are dragons actually real?
Back in my previous life, I was taught they were nothing more than mythical creatures conjured from human imagination—sacred beasts of legend. And now, not only do they exist, but they can even take human form?
That’s just… unbelievable.
Well, I guess it’s not like I’m in a position to talk, considering I’ve been reincarnated with all my past memories. But still, I need to confirm this for myself. I have to ask them directly.
“Oouuh?” (Are you a dragon?)
Ah, right. I still can’t talk. This is so frustrating! Why am I still stuck in this tiny baby body?!
Sure, it makes sense—I was just born—but seriously, it’s driving me crazy.
“Was that meant for me?”
“Seems like it.”
“What did she say?”
“…That, I’m not quite sure… Ah! I did find out that human children apparently can’t speak well when they’re very young.”
“Tch.”
My so-called father shot me a look of pure disappointment. Seriously? What, did you start talking the moment you hatched or something?!
“Human babies really are a hassle.”
“What will you do?”
“Well…”
That question…
It was about my fate, wasn’t it?
Whether they’d keep me or not.
If this is truly a dragon clan, then a human like me wouldn’t be welcomed.
Wait. Didn’t they say I was half dragon?
Then what’s there to hesitate about?
Obviously, they should keep me! Half blood is still blood!
I gripped my father’s finger tightly.
His eyes met mine.
Since I can’t speak, I’ll just send him a mental message.
If dragons exist, then magic probably does too.
Maybe he can read my thoughts.
Take me in! Raise me!
I’ll grow up and take your place one day! I was a princess in my past life—you’d be a fool to underestimate me!
Raise me, and I’ll give you the best retirement imaginable! I’ll turn this land into paradise—you’ll live like royalty forever!
TRANSLATOR’S NOTE: Baekryong means White Dragon. They are white dragons literally. There will also be other dragons and I will also keep their names as Korean.
