Help! I'm in Another World and the Dragon Man Want Me To Get Pregnant!
Chapter 42: New Beginnings in the Capital

Chapter 42: New Beginnings in the Capital

He had relied too much on others—he realized that now.

He needed to learn to stand on his own.

He couldn’t afford to be picky about work anymore.

No matter how hard it was, he should’ve been willing to try.

If he had just shown some enthusiasm about finding a job, Ignatius would’ve supported him.

But being by Ignatius’s side was unbearable now.

There was no way to go back to how things had been before.

After offering himself so clumsily and being rejected, only to realize he was in love, he felt like an utter fool.

Staying by Ignatius’s side out of habit or convenience would only make him feel more pathetic.

He had to let go.

Ignatius was someone far out of his reach.

He was aiming too high and dreaming too big.

He didn’t have any charm, any qualities that would make him worthy for him.

Thinking about it only made the pain worse.

He told himself to let it go.

He’d had unrequited feelings before—this wasn’t the first time.

And each time, he had managed to recover.

But this time, his heart didn’t seem to be recovering.

The heaviness of his despair felt like a weight dragging him down.

His feet shuffled slowly, his steps heavy like those of a lost, abandoned dog.

At some point, the mansion disappeared entirely from view.

...

After leaving Ignatius’s mansion, Shen Xinghui walked endlessly.

Even after passing through one town, then another, Shen Xinghui didn’t stop.

Staying close around Ignatius would risk to be found.

That’s what Shen Xinghui thought.

In the Drakhtar Dominion, there were five royal families and five territories.

Each family governed its own domain, and collectively, they made up the dragon kingdom, Drakhtar Dominion.

Dominius had explained this to Shen Xinghui.

Now, Shen Xinghui had arrived in a large town.

When he looking up, there was a castle-like structure in the distance.

Beneath the endless blue sky, a castle with blue-roofed towers came into view.

It was likely the royal capital, Shen Xinghui thought.

Along the way, many people had helped Shen Xinghui.

With no place to stay and no money, Shen Xinghui was prepared to sleep outdoors.

If there were no monsters, it should be fine—or so Shen Xinghui thought.

In reality, it was grueling, and Shen Xinghui nearly collapsed multiple times.

However, the people of this world showed concern for Shen Xinghui.

Some of them provided food; others offered a place to stay.

Even reaching this town was thanks to a kind farmer transporting vegetables by cart who noticed Shen Xinghui and offered a ride.

Passing through the gates, Shen Xinghui entered the royal capital.

The streets were bustling with people and vibrant energy.

Shen Xinghui wandered in, unsteady and exhausted from lack of food and sleep, barely holding it together.

The first goal was to find a job.

After saving a little money, the plan was to move on to the next destination.

Walking through the town, Shen Xinghui glanced around, trying to figure out where to look for work.

Was there something like an employment office in this world?

As Shen Xinghui walked absentmindedly, glancing in all directions, their focus faltered, and they bumped into someone ahead, landing flat on the ground.

There was no strength left to stay upright.

The person Shen Xinghui collided with had a sturdy build.

From the skirt, it was clear she was a woman, but she was tall with broad shoulders.

"Oh my, are you okay?"

The woman had reddish-brown hair and eyes of the same shade.

She appeared to be in her late 30s, exuding an energetic and bright presence.

"Are you all right? You don’t look well, and you seem awfully thin," she said with concern.

"Yes, I’m fine," Shen Xinghui replied.

Accepting the hand she extended, Shen Xinghui stood up, though the legs wobbled unsteadily.

Having never experienced a long journey on foot before, Shen Xinghui’s body was now at its limit.

It seemed that colliding with the woman had pushed Shen Xinghui past the breaking point.

"Are you sure you’re okay? You’re wobbling. Are you feeling unwell?"

"Um, no, it’s not like that—"

Grrrrrrrrrr...

A loud growl from Shen Xinghui’s stomach interrupted the conversation.

Shen Xinghui’s stomach growled so loudly it sounded more like a beast’s roar, leaving Shen Xinghui burning with embarrassment.

Naturally, the woman standing in front of him heard it as well.

Her reddish-brown eyes widened in surprise before she burst out laughing.

"Well, well, are you hungry?"

"Oh, no, um—!"

"Come along. My place is right nearby. I run an inn."

"But—!"

"Young people shouldn’t be so shy! Come on, let’s go."

The woman firmly grabbed Shen Xinghui’s arm and dragged him to her inn.

Her inn truly was just around the corner—a cozy place with a warm atmosphere.

The first floor served as a dining area.

As she opened the door, a man appeared from the back.

He had short green hair, green eyes, and wore thin glasses.

He looked to be in his forties, with a calm and scholarly aura.

"Jenna, who’s this?"

"I found him looking pale and about to collapse from hunger, so I brought him here. The poor thing looked like he was starving."

The energetic woman, apparently named Jenna, sat Shen Xinghui down in a chair.

While he fidgeted nervously, the man disappeared into the back and returned shortly after, carrying a mountain of pasta, salad, and soup, which he placed in front of Shen Xinghui.

"Um—"

"It’s not much, just a staff meal, but eat up."

"But I... I don’t have any money—"

"Young people shouldn’t worry about such details. Eat first, regain your strength. That’s what matters."

The man’s tone was firm yet kind, like that of a father, and Shen Xinghui’s heart was moved.

However, the sheer amount of food was overwhelming.

"Um, I can’t eat all of this."

"Don’t be so reserved!" Jenna exclaimed.

"No, really, it’s not that—I’m a human."

When Shen Xinghui said this, both Jenna and the man leaned in, surprised, to get a closer look at his face.