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Short filmTranscript
00:00love each other can't you just let us be together selena jacob and i truly love each other can't
00:05you just let us be together we've already shared a bed if i don't marry him how could i ever
00:10marry
00:10anyone else in a daze i heard my younger sister bella crying out father stood nearby speaking up
00:16in her defense selena maybe you could choose another fiance instead bella just made a mistake
00:22in a moment of poor judgment he had always been biased toward bella after all she was the
00:27legitimate daughter of his official wife while i was merely the illegitimate child from one of his
00:31affairs i looked at bella who was kneeling on the ground though her face was streaked with tears and
00:36full of pitiful sorrow the ambition and excitement in her eyes were unmistakable i knew then she had
00:42been reborn too and this time she had made it to jacob's bed before i did in my past life
00:48i had
00:49chosen jacob the eldest son of the wolf clan as my fiancee i saw the serpent clan as cold-blooded
00:54and unfeeling the fox clan is frivolous and unfaithful and the dragon clan is proud and
00:59arrogant only the wolf clan known for their loyalty and devotion seemed worthy of trust six
01:05months after marrying jacob i got pregnant with our child and then i gave birth to a half-beast white
01:10wolf our son tristan as the first half-beast child born from the human beast union tristan naturally
01:16became the next leader of the human beast alliance bella enamored by the fox clan's beauty had chosen
01:22their heir lucian but she didn't expect him to be a shameless womanizer constantly entangled with
01:27other lovers eventually she contracted a disease because of him one that left her infertile and
01:32scorned by the fox clan she blamed me for misfortune jealous that i had lived a better life than she
01:37did
01:37one night she drugged me in secret and set a fire that burned both me and tristan alive
01:42in memory hatred surged in my chest i wanted nothing more than to kill bella right then and there
01:48and avenged tristan i clenched my fists inside my sleeves the pain in my palms sobered me slightly
01:54then i slowly nodded masking my fury with a look of understanding if bella and jacob truly love each
02:00other i'd never stand in the way of their happiness bella hadn't expected me to agree so easily
02:05but here she had squeezed out now hung awkwardly at the corners of her eyes bella get up now hurry
02:12and
02:12thank your sister for stepping aside father urged clearly relieved thank you selena bella
02:18beamed as she rushed out eager to bring the good news to jacob and the wolf clan girls really do
02:24grow
02:24up and slip away too quickly father joked but when he turned and saw the cold indifference on my face
02:30his voice faltered selena among the eligible beast clan heirs only two remain elias of the serpent clan
02:36and lucien of the fox clan i still think the fox clan would be a better match better looks higher
02:41status clearly superior to the serpent clan besides bella once said dash i cut him off father i choose
02:48to marry elias of the serpent clan
02:53to most humans snakes were cold-blooded and heartless and that prejudice extended to the serpent clan
02:59four thousands of years no human had ever chosen to marry into the serpent clan as a result they had
03:05never produced a single ruler for the human beast alliance eventually they were cast out from the
03:10ranks of the five great beast families and reduced to the lowest tier of the beast clans denied even
03:15the smallest share of resources but in my past life as the fire consumed me i saw a pair of
03:20emerald
03:21green eyes elias's he tried to save me but the flames were too fierce and he could do nothing
03:29although father disapproved of my decision when he saw the resolve on my face he didn't press
03:33further he simply sighed and tried to console me if your life in the serpent clan becomes too
03:38difficult perhaps bella can help you out but when bella found out i had chosen to marry into the
03:43serpent clan she couldn't resist mocking me to my face selena even if you couldn't marry jacob
03:52surely you didn't have to stoop to the declining serpent clan don't end up starving to death before you
03:57even manage to bear a child i heard they're struggling just to stay fed these days the wolf
04:02clan is wealthy beyond measure even their bathwater is infused with precious divine herbs if your life
04:09gets too miserable i can pack up some leftovers and send them your way she covered her mouth and
04:14burst out laughing ignoring the awkward glances from the servants around us in bella's eyes the wolf
04:19clan had vast resources and jacob's devotion would guarantee a swift pregnancy she was certain i'd miss my
04:25chance at bearing the first half beast child but she had no idea how difficult it was for humans and
04:31beast folk to conceive nor did she know how obsessed jacob was with having an heir when i didn't show
04:36signs of pregnancy after six months he began taking out his frustration on me tormenting me day and night
04:41only after i used a secret technique to conceive and gave birth to tristan securing the wolf clan's
04:47claim to power did jacob finally relent i offered bella a calm smile you needn't worry about me dear
04:53sister since i've chosen my husband i'll live with my decision without regret what's there to be proud
04:58of you're marrying a penniless nobody infuriated by my composure bella slammed the table scattering the
05:05pastries across the floor i'll be the first one to get pregnant my child will definitely be the next
05:11ruler of the alliance i ignored her tantrum and went off to prepare for my wedding in three days
05:16for one thing she wasn't wrong the serpent clan was indeed very poor i worried they might not even have
05:21the money for a proper gown so i planned to prepare one myself to my surprise that very evening elias
05:28came in person to deliver my wedding dress it was the first time i truly saw his face his skin
05:34was pale
05:34almost bloodless his long narrow eyes carried a quiet authority and the emerald green of his irises held a
05:40mysterious depth yet the teardrop mole at the corner of his eye lent a subtle grace to his otherwise
05:45austere expression inside the box lay a floor length gown of deep green tulle the bodice shimmered faintly
05:51with scale snake scales stitched into the fabric i had never seen such a beautiful dress for a moment
05:57i was completely captivated selena elias said calmly this gown was hand stitched by our serpent clan's
06:03finest seamstresses each scale was a blessing offered by our people his gaze carried a deliberate
06:09detachment as if the person marrying me wasn't him at all this is the first time our serpent clan has
06:14ever
06:14wed a human if anything has been done poorly you're welcome to tell me thank you i replied i truly
06:21love
06:21it just as i was about to put the dress away bella strolled in arm in arm with jacob smug
06:26and beaming
06:27selena don't tell me this is the only gown you got jacob had 10 dresses made for me 10 jacob
06:34looked down
06:34at bella with affection in his eyes bella only knew of the wolf clan's famous loyalty but she didn't
06:39understand it was rooted in their biological instincts and their intense obsession with offspring
06:43if she failed to conceive would jacob still treat her with such tenderness elias's grip on his serpent
06:49staff tightened slightly before he raised his eyes to meet mine if the serpent clan has caused you any
06:54grievance selena i can promise you this elias will never betray you in this lifetime
07:00bella snorted anyone can talk sweet let's see if you can actually produce a child now all she ever
07:06talked about was children her infertility in her past life had become a thorn in her heart
07:11and now she was fixated on getting pregnant even before marrying jacob she had already moved into
07:16his home in that sense she and jacob were a perfect match both obsessively fixated on heirs
07:22bella perhaps you should focus on your own wedding people might start to think you've set your sights on
07:27my fiance instead i smiled faintly and under the sour expressions of bella and jacob i took elias's hand
07:34and walked away behind me i could still hear bella's shrill voice clinging to jacob her words faint but
07:39unmistakable pregnancy child next ruler oh my foolish sister even after a second chance at life
07:46she still believed that a child was her only path to power elias's cool voice sounded beside my ear
07:52selena i know you chose me because you had no other option but i promise within my power i will
07:58never let
07:58you suffer i turned instinctively at the sound of his voice and accidentally stumbled into his chest
08:03a strange yet pleasant scent drifted into my nose i looked up at him and said slowly with deliberate
08:08clarity elias i chose you willingly a flicker of something unreadable passed through elias's eyes
08:14all right selena three days later the wedding arrived as scheduled both ceremonies were held in
08:21the same grand restaurant the wolf clan's wedding was even more extravagant than in my previous life
08:26they had gone so far as to invite the reclusive phoenix clan to perform and all the major noble
08:31houses attended in full force meanwhile the serpent clan celebration was quieter with no distinguished
08:36guests yet the clan members beamed with genuine joy after all this was their first marriage to a
08:41human a sign they might finally have a chance at producing the next ruler of the alliance after the
08:46ceremony i ran into bella face to face she deliberately tilted her chin making sure i noticed the marks on
08:53her
08:53neck selena i didn't know wolfman had such stamina at this rate i'll be giving them an air in no
08:59time
08:59i smiled politely then i sincerely wish you the best of luck bella was grossly underestimating the
09:05difficulty of pregnancy between humans and beastkin our species was fundamentally different even in the
09:12best conditions natural conception took at least a year she assumed i got pregnant easily in our past life
09:18and so she believed the same would come just as easily to her she even boasted to the wolf clan
09:22that she'd be pregnant within six months word had spread quickly seeing how confident she was jacob
09:29hadn't even questioned it but to bella my composure looked like a personal challenge forget it it's not
09:35like you'd understand anyway you've married into a beggar's den she shot a disdainful glance at the
09:40serpent clan members nearby lifted her skirt and walked past me i grabbed her arm stopping her
09:45bella apologize apologize to the serpent clan her expression darkened she yanked her arm free and
09:51yelled selena have you lost your mind the remaining guests in the hall stopped to watch as we argued
09:56eager for the drama in the end our father had to step in once he understood what had happened he
10:01forced
10:02bella to apologize to the serpent clan though the serpent clan ranked lowest among the beastkin
10:06they would still unite against human humiliation before leaving bella shot me a vicious glare and
10:11muttered under her breath selena i'm going to win this life just you wait on our wedding night
10:16i stared at elias's bare body frozen in place no one had ever told me snakes had two seeing me
10:22motionless on the bed elias misunderstood with a pale expression he bent down to gather his clothes and
10:27began dressing what do you think you're doing i snatched the fabric from his hands my displeasure
10:32written all over my face i i thought you didn't want to he stammered standing awkwardly by the bed
10:38the emerald in his eyes dimming if he hadn't made the first move then i would i stepped forward and
10:43wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him down onto the bed as our bodies touched that subtle
10:48familiar scent surrounded me again elias you smell really nice i murmured without thinking he froze
10:53for a moment then the tips of his ears turned faintly pink the next moment his kiss deepened trailing
10:58from my forehead all the way down fingers interlaced we shared a night of wild pleasure i had once
11:04believed the wolf clan strength made them the best choice in bed but the serpent clan had their own
11:08unique qualities elias didn't stop until dawn lit the sky and i practically begged for rest three
11:14months later news broke bella was pregnant i was stunned in thousands of years no human had ever
11:20conceived of a beast kin in just three months had i not seen her swollen belly with my own eyes
11:24i
11:25wouldn't have believed it the wolf clan threw a grand celebration for the unborn child inviting all the
11:29noble families to share their joy our ancestors must be watching over us a child in just three
11:34months what a miracle jacob raised his cup high pride written all over his face many guests approached
11:39to flatter him eager to earn the wolf clan's favor everyone agreed the next ruler of the alliance would
11:45undoubtedly come from the wolf clan now was the perfect time to curry favor by status i should have
11:50been seated with elias at the end of the banquet hall but bella had insisted to jacob that i be
11:54placed
11:54beside her she couldn't pass up a chance to show off as she stroked her belly she cast me a
12:00smug look
12:01selena three months and still no news from your belly seems like you're really lacking your womb
12:05doesn't even try half beasts matured rapidly two months was enough for them to be born based on her
12:11size her child would arrive next month but she had no idea how large half beast infants were
12:16without managing her diet she'd suffer greatly during labor i had carefully controlled my weight in my past
12:22life yet childbirth still took a full day and night and the pain nearly made me wish for death
12:26but the moment i saw my child safely born sleeping peacefully in my arms i knew i had no regrets
12:31i took
12:32a sip of wine and said flatly historically the quickest conception between human and beast kin took a full
12:37year but you took only three months whatever methods you used only you know bella whipped her head toward
12:43me her eyes darting in guilty panic selena what are you implying she couldn't even withstand the
12:48slightest probing bella still couldn't keep her composure may you have a safe delivery bella i
12:53raised my glass to toast her then left the banquet with elias by my side one month later bella endured
12:59three full days and nights of labor before finally giving birth but seven days passed and the wolf clan
13:04still hadn't announced the child's arrival even when father tried to visit they refused him entry there was
13:10no doubt something was wrong with the child half a month later father summoned me home
13:14seeing the worry in elias's eyes before i left i finally relented and asked him to come with me
13:19in the living room bella sat on the floor sobbing clutching a half beast red wolf pup in her arms
13:24this is jacob's child isn't a color mutation in wolfberg completely normal bella clung stubbornly to
13:30the claim that the red furred pup
13:35was jacob's but what she didn't know was that jacob was a purebred white wolf
13:40his bloodline had never carried the gene for red wolves jacob's expression was stormy his entire body
13:45radiating fury bella whose bastard is this who did you sleep with behind my back if you don't
13:50tell me the truth right now i'll kill this mongrel myself our father pale with fear rushed to intervene
13:55jacob calm down this must be some kind of misunderstanding bella loves you so much
14:00how could she possibly betray you encouraged by father support bella quickly brought the child to
14:05jacob her voice soft and coaxing look he looks just like you his eyes are identical jacob coldly
14:10took the red pup from her arms the small wolf pup who had been sleeping soundly burst into loud
14:14terrified wails the moment it saw jacob's face that heart-wrenching cry stabbed through me like a knife
14:19evoking the memory of tristan screaming in the fire in my past life pain seized my chest i could barely
14:24breathe my brows furrowed tightly elias noticed my discomfort and gently covered my ears mistaking my
14:30distress for a dislike of a child's crying jacob cursed raising the red pup high above his head
14:35then suddenly hurled it toward the ground with all his strength elias and i lunged at the same time
14:40in the end the little red pup landed safely in elias's arms no matter how much i wanted to
14:45destroy bella and jacob the pup was innocent everyone in the hall was stunned especially bella
14:53her face went ghostly pale and she trembled uncontrollably jacob how could you be so cruel
14:58jacob looked at her with none of the affection he once had bella the wolf clan values loyalty and
15:04devotion to our mates you betrayed me clearly what right do you have to accuse me of cruelty
15:08if there was one redeeming quality about jacob it was his unwavering loyalty in our past life even
15:14after i failed to conceive for six months he never considered taking another mate he just tortured me
15:19to vent his frustration i wondered now if bella would be able to endure that same devotion the
15:24argument between them exploded in the hole bella insisted she had never cheated while jacob refused
15:29to acknowledge the red pup as his own our father completely at a loss turned to me selena what do
15:35you think this pup wasn't even mine i only came here for the show i had no intention of getting
15:41involved
15:42elias stepped in calmly i've heard that the phoenix clan possesses a bloodline recognition technique
15:48since the wolves and phoenixes have always been close why not invite them to verify the child's
15:54parentage bella immediately rejected the idea no this is my and jacob's child we don't need the
16:00phoenix plan to confirm anything but jacob nodded coldly we'll do as he says news of the phoenix
16:07clan's involvement spread like wildfire people were already curious about the wolf clan's newborn half
16:12beast and three days later crowds flocked to the wolf clan's domain to watch the ritual under the
16:17phoenix's spell five crimson marks flew from the red pup's forehead one mark landed on jacob and the
16:23other four shot off toward various residences within the wolf clan territory you are one of the child's
16:28fathers the phoenix priest declared solemnly a ripple of gasps swept through the hall what do you mean one
16:35of the fathers you mean this pup has multiple dads but the pup clearly carries red wolf blood
16:41jacob is a purebred white wolf bella really knows how to have fun with a personality like that
16:47she should have married into the fox clan instead i stood in the crowd with elias protected within his
16:53arms hearing the murmurs around us i nearly laughed out loud i had always wondered how bella managed to
16:59get pregnant now that the truth was out about the pup having multiple fathers it all made sense bella had
17:05likely sought out several lovers within the wolf clan to increase her chances of conceiving a shotgun
17:10fertility gamble but she hadn't accounted for one red wolf with particularly dominant genes
17:15unintentionally exposing her plan was she clever or just reckless if she wanted to take that kind of
17:20risk why not stick to white wolves why go and add a red wolf to the mix jacob's expression was
17:26black as
17:27thunder his fists clenched tightly and he shouted at the servants bring me every wolf in the clan who bears
17:33that same crimson mark soon four wolf beast men were brought in three of them were white wolves
17:38one was a red wolf when i saw the red wolf's face i couldn't help but let out a sigh
17:43that seductive
17:44beauty could rival anyone from the fox clan bella had always been obsessed with appearances
17:50no wonder she risked everything for a night with him jacob stared at the four beastmen none of whom
17:54denied their involvement and completely lost his temper you stood before me and swore you'd bear me a child
18:00and this is how you repaid me bella rose to her feet still clutching the baby she wiped her eyes
18:05and sniffled dramatically if you hadn't been whispering in my ear every day about how badly
18:10you wanted a child i wouldn't have had to take such desperate measures if you weren't so useless
18:15would this child look like a red wolf her voice grew increasingly self-righteous and didn't the phoenix
18:21just say the child is yours isn't that enough the next ruler of the alliance will still come from
18:27the wolf clan why are you blaming me you should be grateful at her words the leaders of the fox
18:32and
18:32dragon clan stepped forward from the crowd the fox and dragon clan leaders immediately stepped in to
18:37challenge bella's claim we do not recognize this half beast the original agreement clearly stated the
18:47child must be born of a union between human and the firstborn son of a beast clan household
18:52if the wolves start bending the rules like this what happens to bloodline purity who knows what kind
18:57of monsters we'd end up with this matter requires the unanimous consent of the remaining four clans
19:02as far as the fox and dragon clans are concerned we firmly disagree the phoenix clan standing quietly
19:09to the side also voiced their stance our clan has long withdrawn from worldly affairs we will not
19:15participate in these political decisions four clans one abstained two objected as for the lowly snake clan
19:24no one even bothered to ask their opinion whatever sliver of hope jacob had felt after hearing
19:28bella's words instantly vanished rage consumed him once more
19:42on our way home after the spectacle elias remained unusually quiet only after my persistent prodding did
19:49he finally speak his mind you were staring at that red wolf just now were you thinking i'm
19:54not good looking enough his jealous tone made me grin and just like that i decided to tease him to
20:00me
20:00no one's more handsome than you elias especially at night in bed i didn't get out of bed for an
20:06entire day after that
20:21a month later bella showed up at the snake clan battered and bruised
20:31begging for my help her eyes were red with tears
20:39so
20:39selena please help me jacob's gone mad
20:47says if i can't give him a child that's truly his he'll torture me every single day
21:04i can't take it anymore if i don't get pregnant soon i'll die
21:16do you know any secret techniques that can help her words didn't shock me in the slightest
21:22after all i had lived through this nightmare in my past life
21:28bruises covered her exposed skin fresh wounds layered over old scars but she had brought all of this
21:34things upon herself in my previous life she tricked me into coming home pretending she missed me
21:39then she drugged the water my son and i drank when we were too weak to resist she set the
21:44house ablaze
22:13and trapped us inside
22:15then she gets it in the midst of her mouth and i drank her warm her blood
22:33so i think i brought this up to her pretty much too much i thought i've been doing so
22:33i came to her you know i saw a chicken and i touched my life very early days
22:33what did she want to be in the house right now i was like you did you know what i
22:45helped her
22:45supposed to be mine. I should have married into the wolf clan. I should have borne their heir.
22:50Now that she had stolen my life for herself, what was there to regret? I gently pulled my
22:55hand free from hers and calmly replied, Bella, it's not that I don't want to help you. Simply
23:00that pregnancy between humans and beast kin is incredibly rare. After giving birth, your body
23:06was damaged. It'll take at least three to five years before you can even try again. Bella shot
23:11to her feet, her eyes flashing with fury. You're lying. You just don't want to help me. You can't
23:17stand to see me happy. I don't need your help. I'll find another way. You think you can beat me
23:22to it? You'll never give birth before I do. She flung open the door and stormed out. I could only
23:28shake my head. Everything I said was true. Pregnancy between species simply couldn't be forced. In my
23:34past life, the only reason I succeeded was because of the mermaid blood that flowed through my veins.
23:38Back when war broke out, the mere folk refused to ally with humans and retreated into the ocean
23:43depths, cutting ties with the outside world. My mother, still young and reckless at the time,
23:48had shapeshifted into human form and ventured onto land, where she fell in love with my father at first
23:52sight. To stay with him, she severed her tail and transformed permanently into a human. It cost her
23:58dearly she only had five years left to live. Before she died, she gave birth to me and sealed away
24:03my
24:03beastly nature. Mare folk are naturally fertile. In my past life, I broke the seal on my beast blood
24:09to bear Jacob a child. It was a slow form of suicide. Though I eventually succeeded in conceiving,
24:14my mermaid essence drained day by day, until my life ran out. This time, I would never sacrifice
24:20myself so foolishly again. I thought I'd made peace with the idea of never becoming pregnant in this life,
24:25until something unexpected happened. Two months later, one night, Elias placed a hand on my belly,
24:30and suddenly froze. Selina, he asked, when was the last time you had your period? I stopped and
24:36thought carefully. It had indeed been almost two months. My belly had only slightly rounded,
24:41so I just assumed I'd gained a little weight. I stared at him, stunned. That can't be canon.
24:47Before I could even finish speaking, Elias leapt out of bed, dressed, and bolted out the door to
24:52fetch the physician. Less than 15 minutes later, the doctor arrived in our room. He placed his fingers
24:57on my wrist and began to examine my pulse, his brow furrowing deeply as he alternated between
25:02shaking and nodding his head. The room was oppressively quiet. Elias sat beside me,
25:07his face etched with concern. Finally, the physician stood and offered us a congratulatory bow.
25:13Congratulations, Elias. Selina is two months pregnant. Judging by the signs,
25:18she should be ready to lay her egg in just a few days.
25:21I had remained calm until that last part. Wait, what? Lay an egg? I blinked.
25:28Aren't we talking about having a baby? Elias chuckled and gently stroked my head,
25:32explaining, The snake clan is a bit different from the others. We lay eggs, then hatch our young.
25:38From the moment we confirmed the pregnancy, Elias wouldn't let me lift a finger. He followed me
25:42around all day, trying to feed me tonics and supplements. He even bought three immortal honey
25:47fruits legendary, priceless treasures said to be the most coveted nourishment for expectant mothers.
25:52In my past life, Jacob had only ever let me have half a fruit. How could the impoverished snake
25:57clan afford three whole ones? How did you afford this? I thought the snake clan was supposed to be.
26:03Before I could finish, Elias sat beside me and held a freshly washed fruit up to my lips.
26:08Selina, who told you the snake clan is poor? Look around our home, from the flooring to the vases,
26:13everything here is expensive. I glanced around properly for the first time. The decor,
26:19though simple and clean, was unmistakably high-end. But isn't the snake clan ranked last among the
26:24great families? Don't they say you barely get a share of resources? Elias gave a soft laugh.
26:30We snakes have always kept a low profile. We earn our wealth through business,
26:34unlike the other clans, who rely on power and politics. If we rank the clans by wealth,
26:39we'd confidently claim first. Our people pursue immortality. Most of our wealth goes toward
26:44cultivating and refining spiritual medicine. This world's resources are limited. We have no
26:49interest in squabbling with other clans for scraps. Our ambition lies beyond all that.
26:54His explanation made everything click. No wonder every snake clansman I'd met had carried an ethereal
27:00aura. They were secretly training to ascend. Now that I knew we weren't short on money,
27:04I immediately dragged Elias out for a shopping spree. Halfway down the street, we ran into Bella.
27:10Her belly was noticeably swollen as she clung sweetly to Jacob's arm, picking out accessories.
27:16Since her second pregnancy, Jacob had apparently forgiven her for her past betrayal. The two were
27:21back to playing the doting couple. Now that Jacob was watching her like a hawk, there was no question
27:26this child truly belonged to him. Selina, what a surprise to see you out and about. Bella cooed,
27:30deliberately resting both hands on her belly to flaunt her pregnancy. I smiled politely.
27:35I'm picking out a gift for father's upcoming birthday celebration. Her gaze drifted down to
27:40our empty hands, and she scoffed. Well, make sure it's something decent. Even if you don't have much
27:45money, you shouldn't embarrass father. The snake clan hadn't yet made my pregnancy public,
27:50and Elias worried her words might upset me. He immediately stepped forward, shielding me behind
27:55him. Bella, our family matters are none of your concern. As for father's gift, we will prepare
28:01it with due care and respect. Bella gave a cold snort, flicked her sleeves, and walked off.
28:06Seven days later, at the birthday banquet, Bella and I sat on either side of father. Her belly was
28:11enormous, clearly carrying more than one child. Mine, by contrast, was still only faintly rounded.
28:17You knew how to get pregnant all along and still hid it from me, she sneered. But it doesn't matter,
28:22I beat you to it. You'll never catch up now. I opened my mouth to ask what she meant,
28:26but a sudden sharp pain twisted in my abdomen. It was the onset of labor. Elias noticed right
28:31away. He sprang to his feet, scooped me into his arms, and rushed for the door. Just as we were
28:36leaving, Bella suddenly began clutching her belly and moaning in pain. Someone in the crowd cried out,
28:42Bella is going into labor too. Get her to the birthing hall. At that moment, the sky lit up with
28:47a burst of
28:48violet light. Multicolored rays spread across the heavens, and birdsong filled the air a divine
28:53omen. Before I lost consciousness, I heard the sound of joyous cries echo through the hall.
28:58It's a heavenly sign. This child is destined to lead us into a new golden age.
29:02When I woke, three eggs lay nestled in the incubator beside me. Elias sat at my side,
29:08gently wiping the sweat from my brow with a soft towel. I was just about to speak when a scream
29:13pierced the air. It was Bella. Pre-Rice Concer. I can't do this. I don't want to give birth anymore.
29:19Just kill me, please. Kill me now. Bella, hold on. You're almost there. Her sobbing and the
29:26midwife's encouragement overlapped in a chaotic chorus. Our birthing rooms were separated by only
29:31a single wall. She was still in the middle of labor. Selina, you've been through so much.
29:36Elias murmured, pressing a kiss to my forehead. His gaze held concern, guilt,
29:41and overwhelming tenderness. Is it too noisy here? Should I take you and the little ones home
29:46so you can rest properly? In my past life, after I gave birth, Jacob had eyes only for the child.
29:52He didn't care that I'd labored for an entire day and night. He shoved the baby into my arms and
29:57demanded I start nursing immediately. To him, I was nothing more than a means to produce a half-beast
30:02heir, someone to help him secure power. He didn't care about my body or my pain, but Elias was
30:08different. From beginning to end, his eyes never left me. He hadn't even asked me to hatch the eggs
30:13myself. Instead, he'd placed them gently in the incubator and watched over them himself.
30:18It's all right, I said softly. I want to see how Bella's labor is going.
30:22This time, I hadn't felt the agony of childbirth. Delivering three tiny snake eggs had been unusually
30:27easy. It was over before I even realized, like waking from a short nap. I got up and went next
30:32door,
30:33leaving Elias behind to watch over the eggs. Inside, Bella was writhing on the bed, sobbing
30:38like her heart was being torn apart. Every time she nearly lost consciousness from the pain,
30:43the midwife pried her eyes open and screamed at her to stay awake. Half an hour later, the child was
30:48finally born. The moment the midwife caught sight of it, she shrieked in horror. A monster!
30:53Bella has given birth to a monster!
30:56I stepped closer to see and recoiled in shock. The child had three legs and four eyes. Hearing the
31:02commotion, Jacob burst into the room. He froze at the sight before him. Bella, however, smiled with
31:08motherly affection. The three-legged, four-eyed creature clung to her chest, nursing loudly as
31:13if nothing were amiss. Jacob gagged, turned green, and ran out the door, clutching his mouth.
31:19Bella let out a cold, mocking laugh. He's the father, so why is he so disgusted?
31:25News of the wolf clan's monstrous birth spread quickly and even reached the ears of the phoenix
31:29clan's high priest. The priest examined the drooling child carefully and then turned to
31:33Bella. Bella, did you consume anything unusual during your pregnancy? By all accounts, this
31:39child should have been normal. Bella paled. Her right hand trembled as she retrieved a small
31:44bottle from her sleeve and handed it over. I took this. You can save my baby, can't you?
31:50The priest didn't respond right away. He uncorked the bottle and upon smelling the contents,
31:55gave a knowing sigh. This is a rat clan fertility aid, Rat X. There's a folk remedy that claims
32:01taking one a day for 30 days will guarantee conception. But even so, the child shouldn't
32:06have turned out this. Malformed. The rat clan was immediately summoned and dragged before the wolf
32:11clan. The moment Bella saw the man responsible, she stormed over and grabbed him by the throat,
32:16screaming. Why isn't my baby normal? What did you do to me? Rat clansmen, trembling under the weight
32:21of the moment and visibly shaken by the sight of the creature, shoved Bella away and dropped to his
32:26knees before Jacob. This, this must be because Bella didn't follow instructions. She must have
32:32overdosed on the rat eggs. Otherwise, this wouldn't have happened. Bella stared him down, eyes blazing.
32:38You said 30 days would guarantee one child. So I figured, if I took them for 60 days, wouldn't I
32:45get two?
32:45As soon as Bella spoke, everyone present finally understood the truth. Had she followed the
32:51instructions properly, she might have had a healthy child. But her greed had doomed her. The scandal
32:56made the wolf clan a laughingstock yet again. Rumors spread that Jacob was impotent, and that his wife
33:01had not only cheated on him but even resorted to using a crude fertility folk remedy from the lowly
33:06rat clan. Jacob, already in a foul mood, would only grow more cruel to Bella after this humiliation.
33:11A month later, just as I was shopping for cloth to make clothes for my babies and preparing to head
33:16home, I saw Bella cradling a basket to her chest and sneaking into a secluded alley. Word on the
33:21street was that Bella had lost her mind. She was said to be snatching children from around the wolf
33:25clan. I didn't give it much thought. With a cheerful heart, I returned home, eager to welcome my soon-to
33:31-hatch
33:32little ones. But the door to my room stood wide open, and the incubator was empty. All three snake eggs
33:38were gone. Panic surged through me. I suddenly remembered the green cloth covering Bella's
33:42basket. It looked exactly like the handkerchief I'd left on my writing desk. I grabbed the dagger
33:47Elias had given me for self-defense and sprinted toward the alley where Bella had disappeared.
33:51Deep inside, I found a dilapidated courtyard, where her eerie voice echoed.
33:56Babies, don't be afraid. Mommy's right here with you.
33:59I caught her off guard and pressed the blade to her neck, cold fury in my voice.
34:03Bella, give me back my children.
34:05But when I looked down into the basket, my heart dropped. The eggs had already hatched,
34:10and the baby snakes were gone. Dead? Escaped?
34:14As I stood frozen, Bella shoved me back and let out a crazed maniacal laugh.
34:19They're dead. My babies are dead. And now, so are yours. Isn't it wonderful? Truly wonderful.
34:25My eyes burned with rage. I lunged forward, ready to drive the blade into her and avenge my children.
34:31Suddenly, Elias burst in. A flash of silver streaked from him a tiny snake, mouth wide, sank its fangs deep
34:38into Bella's neck.
34:39In an instant, she collapsed, coughing up blood, dead with her eyes still wide open.
34:43The little silver snake slithered up my arm and coiled itself there.
34:47Mom! said,
34:48It was Tristan's voice. He had become my child once more. I cupped him gently in my palms and kissed
34:55his forehead.
34:56Bella's death didn't stir any waves. My father, already disgraced by her actions, had long stopped acknowledging her as his
35:03daughter.
35:04As for Jacob, he couldn't have been more eager for her to disappear.
35:08Seven days later, all three of my baby snakes took human form. The sky once again erupted in violet light
35:14and dazzling rainbow clouds.
35:15Birds filled the heavens with song. It was another divine omen. Then, my entire body began to glow with golden
35:21light.
35:22In the blink of an eye, a shimmering emerald serpent's tail extended from me, and my eyes turned a brilliant
35:27green.
35:27A voice echoed from the heavens. It was the Celestial Emperor.
35:30Snake Immortal Selina, for your mischief a thousand years ago shattering the Celestial Furnace and plunging the three realms into
35:37chaos you have now completed your ten lives of tribulation.
35:40You may return to heaven and resume your post.
35:43Memories flooded my mind. I had once been a flower, a stone, a phoenix, a mermaid.
35:49In every life, Elias had been there, guarding me faithfully. He could have ascended long ago, but in our final
35:54life, he gave up a thousand years of cultivation to save me.
35:58Before I left, Elias held my hand and whispered,
36:01Wait for me, Selina. I'll be with you in heaven soon.
36:04The blessing of ascension rained down upon the earth. All the serpent-beastkin knelt to receive the divine light.
36:10We respectfully be a farewell to the snake, immortal. May she protect us for generations to come.
36:16In a flash of white light, I returned to heaven and resumed my role as the snake immortal, guardian of
36:21the Celestial Garden.
36:21Five hundred years later, I was curled up under the covers, enjoying a lazy nap, when a familiar fragrance drifted
36:28into my nose.
36:29A warm embrace wrapped around me. Then came a voice, deep and beloved.
36:33Selina, I'm back. Everyone who ever hurt you is gone.
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