Help! I'm in Another World and the Dragon Man Want Me To Get Pregnant!
Chapter 113: Side Story: Gavrius’s Confession

Chapter 113: Side Story: Gavrius’s Confession

It was unusually noisy, prompting Gavrius to peek into the throne room.

Inside, he saw Morin, Vaelrik’s younger brother, wearing a troubled expression.

Gavrius had always known that Morin held deep admiration for his father.

As a child, his father had saved Morin, and from that moment on, the young man had been devoted to him.

Vaelrik often sighed at this devotion, calling Morin a hopeless case.

His father, however, had his mother—a man he loved deeply.

Yet, sometimes, his mother would wear a pained expression.

It was because of his grandfather, who often tormented him with harsh words.

He would say things like, "Other dragon royals have many heirs," or ask, "Is there no plan for a second child?"

Gavrius understood the weight of these words.

He knew how much his mother had suffered just to give birth to him.

He had nearly died when he bringing him into the world.

His father had grieved terribly, but even in sorrow, he had told Gavrius that his mother was strong for surviving.

Gavrius believed that wholeheartedly.

His mother was lively, kind, and filled with warmth.

But if Morin was here, it meant his mother was probably hurting again.

Recently, his grandfather had said something especially cruel: "I will arrange another wife for Gabriel. You can keep the position as the first wife, but you must accept this."

Gavrius had seen his mother clench his fists in frustration, unable to retort.

He needed to comfort him.

Just as he set out to find him, he heard his father’s voice booming down the corridor.

His mother’s voice followed soon after.

"I’m a failure as a wife," his mother said bitterly. "Others have multiple children, but I only have one—and I can’t have any more. If that’s the case, isn’t it better for you to take another partner and have more heirs? What am I supposed to say to that? When the truth is thrown in my face, all I can do is to endure it."

His mother’s voice carried so much pain that Gavrius felt his chest tighten.

He could hear all the sadness, the helplessness, and the resignation in his tone.

"I only need you," his father declared. "I don’t need more children."

"But—"

"I said, I don’t need them!" his father interrupted firmly. "If they aren’t your children, I won’t be able to love them. That’s why I don’t want any more."

His father rarely raised his voice.

The conviction in his words, paired with his mother’s quiet sobs, made Gavrius’ heart ache even more.

In that moment, he made a decision.

He would ensure his mother never had to suffer again.

He would marry someone who could bear many children and expand the Golden Dragon royal lineage.

That way, there would be no need for his father to take another wife.

With his resolve set, Gavrius quietly walked away from his parents.

...

The next day, Gavrius flew straight to the Black Dragon territory.

It had been a long time since he last visited Lord Ignatius’ estate, which was far from the capital.

His mother and Sir Shen Xinghui were good friends and often held tea parties together.

When he was little, he would accompany his mother and enjoy the sweets Sir Shen Xinghui made.

They were always delicious.

Lately, though, he only came to this land when accompanying his father on official business.

He had been busy assisting with his father’s duties, traveling to different regions, and hadn’t set foot in Lord Ignatius’ estate in quite some time.

"Gavi?"

"Ah! Brother Kael!"

A voice called to him from an open window.

Looking up, Gavrius saw Kaelion peering down at him.

Kaelion was Vaelrik’s older brother, a man who exuded reliability.

With his long black hair and calm dark eyes, he carried himself with composed dignity.

He was sharp and incredibly competent, someone Gavrius frequently worked with and greatly admired.

"What brings you here? Are you on official business?" Kaelion asked.

"Ah, no! Actually, is Vaelrik here?"

Gavrius’ heart pounded in his chest.

It had been a while since he last saw Vaelrik.

Since taking on more responsibilities, they had barely spent time together.

Vaelrik had joined the military, and Gavrius had been absorbed in learning how to assist his father.

Their schedules no longer aligned.

He worried—what if Vaelrik had already forgotten about him?

That thought scared him.

And yet, despite his fears, he wanted to see Vaelrik.

Clutching his sleeves nervously, he waited for Kaelion’s response.

"Vaelrik should be returning soon. Ah, there he is."

"!"

Just as Kaelion pointed, the sky darkened slightly.

Gavrius looked up to see a large, elegant black dragon soaring above.

The dragon began its descent before suddenly glowing and transforming into a human mid-air.

"Gavi!"

"Vael!"

The sight of him made Gavrius’ heart race.

Vaelrik, a year younger than him, had been his childhood friend.

They had played together since they were small.

Gavrius had always been timid and slow, but Vaelrik had never abandoned him.

He had always reached out a hand, always encouraging him to keep going.

Gavrius had loved him for as long as he could remember.

Now that they were grown, Vaelrik had become even more handsome.

His long, slightly unruly black hair, his large, strong eyes full of determination, and the warm smiles he always gave—Gavrius adored all of it.

He loved him so much it hurt.

But confessing was terrifying.

The fear of rejection loomed over him, threatening to crush him.

That was why he had never been able to say it.

But today, he had made up his mind.

He had to grow up, for his mother’s sake.

"What’s wrong, Gavi? Is something troubling you?"

Vaelrik’s large hand gently rested on Gavrius’ slender shoulder, his expression filled with concern.

Compared to Vaelrik, Gavrius felt so small, so weak.

He had always lacked confidence in his height, his physique.

His father was tall, but Gavrius barely measured up.

"Gavi?"

"Vael, I—!"

He had to say it!

Clutching his sleeves tightly, he took a deep breath, then bowed his head so quickly it nearly made a sound.

"Vael, please be mine!!"

"...Huh?"

Vaelrik’s face was a picture of utter shock.

Gavrius, meanwhile, was already crying.

He had a bad feeling about this.

He should have said more.

He should have explained why, how much Vaelrik meant to him, when these feelings had begun.

But the words wouldn’t come.

His father could have said it better.

His father could have expressed his love clearly.

But Gavrius could only cry.

"Uh, Gavri?"

"I love you, Vael. I always have. Ever since we were kids, I’ve loved you."

His voice trembled, but he forced the words out.

He couldn’t lift his head.

He couldn’t bear to hear rejection.

His whole body shook with fear.

Cool hands suddenly rested on his shoulders.

Arms wrapped around him, pulling him into an embrace.

A warm hand patted his back.

When he finally looked up, Vaelrik’s face was bright red, his expression completely flustered.

"Is... is it a no?"

"Ah, no... I’m happy."

What did that mean?

Did he return his feelings?

Or was it just a polite response?

Tears welled up again, and Vaelrik, panicking, gently wiped them away with his fingers.

"Don’t cry."

"Then tell me—what do you mean by ’happy’? What kind of ’happy’ is it?"

"Happy means happy," Vaelrik said. "I mean... I’ve always thought you were cute, Gavi. Ever since we were kids, I thought you were like an angel. That hasn’t changed. I’ve been training all this time because I wanted to protect you."

Hearing those flustered yet sincere words, Gavrius felt like his heart might burst.

His chest tightened with emotion—his pulse raced, overwhelmed with joy, making him laugh even as tears welled up.

"That’s why—stop crying already."

"These are happy tears."

"...Well, I guess that’s fine then."

As he spoke, Vaelrik gently pulled him into an embrace and placed a soft kiss at the corner of his eye.

The unexpected tenderness of the touch made Gavrius instinctively close his eyes, and just as he did, he felt another feather-light kiss land on his lips.

"Um... Vael, I..."

"Hm? What is it?"

"I... I need to have children, you know? If we’re together, that’s something I can’t ignore. Is that really okay with you?"

When Gavrius looked up at him with wide, searching eyes, Vaelrik blinked his eyes in surprise before suddenly bursting into laughter.

A loud, carefree laugh that filled the space between them.

"This isn’t funny! I mean it!"

"You idiot," Vaelrik said fondly, reaching out to ruffle Gavrius’s hair.

Then, he gave him a warm, sunlit smile—the kind that always made Gavrius feel safe.

"I’ll be the one to carry them, so don’t worry about it. I have the skill, and I have the stamina. I won’t let you suffer, and besides, if you took the birth pill, the child would be a black dragon, right? If anyone’s taking it, it’ll be me. So stop worrying."

The reassuring weight of Vaelrik’s hand on his head, the strength and warmth in his touch—it made Gavrius feel like he could do anything.

He loved this about Vaelrik.

That strength, that unwavering kindness.

It gave him courage.

"But before that, let’s start by being lovers first," Vaelrik continued, his voice gentle. "Let’s spend time together, have fun, enjoy things. Having children isn’t a duty we have to rush into. And... we can practice without the birth pill first."

"Yes!" Gavrius beamed. "I want to grow even closer to you, Vael!"

At his earnest declaration, Vaelrik’s face turned bright red.

He gave a small, uncertain nod—one that only made Gavrius love him even more.