#992 Maternity Rhapsody: A Mother Dragon in High Spirits

t is I, Bloody Mary, the Gwynn Dragon!

By the way, Gwynn Dragon is the title bestowed upon the wife of the Dragon Emperor, Geyser Dragon. You could call me the Dragon Empress, too.

The voiced consonant in “Gwynn” just makes it sound more powerful!

I don’t need my old title of Graugrinzel Dragon anymore!!!

After all, I’m the one and only true consort of the mighty Geyser Dragon, Ardheg!

“Starting off with a bang, aren’t we...?”

Why, hello, Father!

You used to be the big bad boss of the dragon arc, but now you’ve perfectly settled into the role of the comedic straight man with your retorts!

Peace is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?

Yes, peace is the best!!!

The calm and tranquility of the world are the foundation for raising happy, healthy children!!!

“I understand you’re over the moon, but everyone else is left in the dark. Mind explaining why you’re so ecstatic? Otherwise, we’re all going to be lost here.”

Oh dear, Father, are you that eager to know?

Should I tell youuuu, or should I keep you guessingggg?

“Is it because you’re expecting a baby?”

“Father, please! Don’t spill the beans ahead of time!”

“You’re the one being all mysterious about it.”

Geez, Father is the type who can’t stand cliffhangers like, “Find out after the commercial break!”

Impatient old folks are so troublesome.

All right, let’s take two and get to the big announcement!

I, Gwynn Dragon Bloody Mary...

Am expecting!

Yes, a baby! A little one is growing inside me!

What an incredible miracle!

And to think, other creatures have been doing this for thousands of years as if it’s the most normal thing!

“More like millions of years, right? It’s new for us dragons, though.”

Exactly!

Dragons, being the ultimate beings, are complete as individuals! No fear of external threats, no need for further evolution!

So, there’s been no need to leave behind offspring!

No need for reproduction!

For the longest time, reproduction was something dragons didn’t do!

But recently, things changed!

The Great Mother Goddess, Gaia, altered the dragons’ settings so that we, too, can reproduce through sexual reproduction!

I’ll skip the details, but the gist is that dragons can now get married and, with a bit of love, have baby dragons!!!

...Hah, what a fun new pastime for us long-living dragons!

“Don’t go from ecstatic to arrogant so quickly.”

What’s the problem, Father?

Isn’t it okay to realize halfway through that, as the Dragon Empress, I need to maintain my dignity?

The first dragon to conceive after Gaia’s change is me!

That means it’s a world first! The very first case!

A perfect honor for someone who once was the mightiest imperial princess dragon!

Back then, I was solely focused on becoming the supreme Geyser Dragon.

But being the first dragon to reproduce naturally is an honor even greater than becoming the Geyser Dragon, don’t you think?!

One that suits me perfectly!

As I thought, I really am destined to be a legendary dragon!!!

“You’re completely swept up in it. And to think you were so flustered when you first had morning sickness…”

B-Be quiet, Father!

Even I get confused by the early symptoms of carrying a child!

After all! It’s the first time for a dragon!

“I remember when you didn’t know what was going on and ran to Ardheg crying, ‘I think I’m dying, noooo!’“

“Waaaah! Waa, waa, waaaaa!!!”

Father! It’s unbecoming to remember people’s embarrassing moments forever!

It can’t be helped! I later learned that pregnancy messes with your mind!

Something about hormone balance or whatever!!!

So even the most fearsome, ultimate being like me can’t always stay composed!

“Ahh...Is that why you’re acting so hyper?”

Well, it’s understandable for a dragon who’s never experienced pregnancy before to be completely confused and flustered!

Luckily, Mermaid Queen Puffer visits occasionally to check on me and explain all the symptoms of morning sickness. It’s really comforting.

“She’s one of Ardheg’s old companions, right?”

Exactly. As expected of the ever-so-dependable Dragon Emperor! He knows a lot of people!

She was the first to notice my pregnancy, and she’s so reliable!

“I heard this Puffer is expecting her second child now, isn’t she? You shouldn’t make her overexert herself.”

Grrr, how dare you be reasonable now, Father...!

But you’re right. It’s a critical time for both of us, so having her travel back and forth between the Mermaid Kingdom and Dragon Emperor’s Castle is tough on her.

Just because we’re dragons doesn’t mean we should burden other species. My husband Ardheg hates that kind of thing the most.

That’s why lately, instead of Puffer, her mother-in-law (?), Mahi, has been visiting us.

I’ve heard merfolk, especially women, are knowledgeable about bodily functions, so we’ve been asking them for help...

But Mahi usually just says, ‘It’s all about spirit!’ which is a bit concerning...

I really think we should stick with Puffer, but…!

No, I mustn’t give up! I’m the Gwynn Dragon!!!

Mother Goddess Gaia has been tweaking dragon settings for years!

Finally, the results are showing!

I am proud to be the first to lead this change in dragon history!

“Haaa... By the way, Bloody Mary.”

What is it, Father?

“I’ve been wondering about something ever since I heard you were expecting. Now, I have to ask.”

Yes?

“Do you give birth in your dragon form or your human form?”

...Hmm.

What are you talking about, Father?

“Don’t dodge the question! We dragons can easily change our form with magic, especially after dealing with the saint. But when it comes to childbirth, you can’t just switch forms on a whim, right?!”

Is that so?

“Yes! You’re a fully grown dragon and can handle dragon magic, but the baby inside you can’t. How does your body manage the transformation?”

Now that you mention it...!

...Ugh, the more I think about it, the more I’m not sure!

What’s going on inside my body?!

Is the baby okay?!

I need to ask Puffer this! What does she think?

If I ask Mahi, she’ll just say, ‘It’s all about spirit!’ again!!!

“Calm down. Dragons have unique issues that mermaids can’t fully grasp. But I still have another question...”

What is it this time, Father?!

Stop making me more confused!

“...Do we dragons lay eggs?”

Huh?

What are you talking about? Dragons are the mightiest creatures.

Laying eggs is for beings even lower than humans!

It’s designed so that the mother can move freely and respond quickly to attacks from predators by getting the children out of her body as soon as possible, right?

That’s not the kind of method a dragon, who has no natural enemies, should be adopting!!!

“But we look like reptiles. People call us pseudo-lizards.”

Oh. Really?

“And reptiles lay eggs. So shouldn’t dragons follow that logic...?”

Hold on, Father!

Are dragons really reptiles? We’re the ultimate beings!

Aren’t we considered the strongest because such classifications don’t bind us?

But wait.

We can transform into humans, so aren’t we primates too?

But that’s just a temporary form...

So, are we mammals? Reptiles? Which is it?

If we’re mammals, does that mean we need to nurse our young after birth?

But since our human form is just a temporary disguise, does that mean our true form is a lizard?

Ahhhhhhhh!!!

This is so confusing!!!

My hormonal imbalance is making it impossible to think straight!

Somebody! Anybody!

Please give me an answeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!!!