I knew I had three days until the birth.

Last time, I was stuck on this island for a week.

My sister came to "check on me" every day. In reality, she was watching my every move.

This time, I wouldn't give her the chance.

I took out Kael's communication crystal.

Soon, a black raven flew in through the window and landed on my arm. Kael’s messenger.

I tied a small note to its leg: "Return at once. Urgent. —S"

The raven vanished into the night.

"Your Highness, did you need something?" My guard entered the room.

"Pack our things," I said, standing up. "We're going back to the capital."

The guard froze. "But… the healer said you need to rest here..."

"I'll only be safe in my own chambers," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. "Prepare the airship. We leave at once."

This was where they’d laid their trap.

The queen had sent us here, claiming an "ancient lunar array" on the island would bless our children.

It was just an excuse to get us away from the mainland. Away from Kael.

The healers, the guards—they were all her spies.

When Kael had sent messages, worried about me, they’d replied: "Seraphina is fine. Your Highness should focus on the border."

The Tide of the Undead. The perfect excuse.

It trapped my mate a thousand miles away when I needed him most.

"Your Highness, I'm afraid I can't…" the guard stammered.

"What's wrong?" Liliana’s voice came from the doorway. "Sera, where are you going?"

She rushed into the room, her face a mask of concern.

"I miss home," I said calmly. "I want to go back to the capital."

"But the lunar array here is best for the babies," Liliana frowned. "And Kael is off fighting the undead. You'll be all alone."

"I won't be alone." I smiled, sidestepping her attempt to grab my arm. "Kael's mother's snow fox is waiting for me."

Liliana's expression stiffened.

Kael's mother's snow fox was incredibly sensitive to a person's aura.

If I brought the true hybrid king back with me, it would sense his power immediately.

"That fox is vicious," Liliana said quickly. "It doesn't like strangers. What if it hurts you or the baby?"

"It knows me," I said, continuing to pack. "Besides, Kael's personal guard will protect me."

The Night Raiders.

If I gave birth under their watch, no one would get near my child.

Liliana's face grew darker.

"Sera, don't be difficult. The healer said you could go into labor at any moment…"

"Then I should be in the one place I know is safe."

I picked up my bag and walked towards the door.

Liliana followed me. "You can't leave! The queen opened this sacred temple just for us. If you leave without a word…"

"I'll explain it to the queen myself."

On the landing pad, the airship's engines were already humming.

I could feel the power coming from the child in my womb.

He sensed the danger. He sensed my defiance.

I walked faster.

"Stop!"

A cold voice cut through the wind.

Queen Victoria was approaching with her royal guards.

She wore a black gown, her face severe.

"Seraphina, where do you think you're going?"

I stopped and gave a slight bow. "Your Majesty."

"Answer me," she commanded, her voice laced with authority.

"I wish to return to the capital to give birth."

Victoria walked up to me, her eyes scanning my stomach.

"Royal law dictates that all princes must be born in a designated temple. This is to ensure the purity and absolute safety of the bloodline."

"But Kael isn't with me. I feel unsafe."

"Kael has a more important duty," Victoria said, her gaze like ice. "As a woman of the royal family, you should put the kingdom first."

The kingdom. Always the damned kingdom.

"I understand. But…"

"No buts," Victoria cut me off. "You are staying here. That is an order."

I felt that familiar, suffocating pressure.

In my last life, I had buckled under it.

But this time…

"Your Majesty," a smooth male voice called out.

Damien emerged from the temple, his expression fraught with worry.

"I just received a report. Dark mages have been spotted casting curses in the surrounding waters. For safety, the no-fly ward has been activated."

I clenched my fists. Rage boiled in my blood.

Shameless.

They were making up lies just to trap me here.

"Ah!" My sister, Liliana, suddenly cried out. She covered her mouth, pointing a trembling finger at my stomach.

I looked down and my breath hitched.

It's time!

The stress, the anger—it was enough to send me into early labor.

The three of them exchanged a look, their faces filled with a barely hidden glee.

The Queen’s icy expression melted into one of false "concern." She took my arm herself, trying to guide me back to the medical center.

But I wouldn't go.

I had a second chance. I couldn't let my baby fall into their hands again.

I had to get back to the capital. I had to get to Kael.

"I won't give birth in a strange place!" I hissed through the pain, my voice sharp. "I'm going back! My guards can tear a few dark mages to shreds!"

My sister and Damien gave the queen a look.

Victoria's voice turned harsh. "Don't listen to her nonsense! She's about to give birth. If something happens on the airship, the King will have your heads!"

Trapped by the ward, threatened by the queen, and on the verge of labor.

My guards hesitated.

Queen Victoria gestured to her handmaidens, ready to drag me back to the Moonlight Sanctum by force.

My pack warriors—Kael’s men, loyal to me—stepped forward, blocking their path.

But a flash of gold light pulsed from my abdomen, and a scream of pain tore from my lips.

"Your Highness…" the captain of my guard wavered. "You're in danger. You must give birth now…"

"I said I'm waiting for Kael!" I gritted my teeth, holding on with everything I had.

Pain ripped through me, but I couldn't let them win. Not again.

"Quick, get her inside!" Liliana yelled frantically. "The baby can't wait!"

I was half-carried, half-dragged toward the crystal temple.

The contractions grew stronger, closer. Cold sweat dripped down my forehead.

"Agh—" I couldn't hold back a cry.

"Hold on, Sera!" Liliana squeezed my hand. "It'll be over soon!"

Her concern looked so real. Too bad it was all for show.

Inside the crystal temple, the birthing room was ready.

I was lifted onto the delivery bed, the pain so intense I could barely think.

"Where is the healer?" the queen demanded.

A thin, wiry man stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty, Healer Hermes, at your service."

My eyes shot open.

Wrong! The healer from my past life was a plump woman named Martina!

This man…

I searched my memories and finally found him.

After Kael's death, during my imprisonment, I'd seen this man from a distance.

He was speaking secretly with Kael’s old loyalists.

This was one of Kael's men!

Hope surged through me, but I forced myself to stay calm. Don't give anything away. Play along.

"Ahhh—it hurts so much!" I screamed, grabbing Liliana's hand. "Sister, I'm scared!"

"Shh, don't be afraid," Liliana soothed, stroking my hair. "I'm right here with you."

I glanced around the room. The queen stood by the door with three of her guards. Two assistant healers were also present.

Too many people. I needed to clear the room.

"There are too many people… I… I can't breathe…" I clutched Liliana's hand, my eyes wide with panic.

I let my voice crack, pitching it into the hysterical panic they expected from the weak, foolish girl they thought I was.

"I feel… I feel like something's wrong with the baby! Get them out! Please, make them all leave!"

Just as I expected, a contemptuous smile crossed the queen's face.

To her, I was still that same pathetic little girl.

"Sera, this is not the time for such things," she said impatiently.

"But…" I held onto Liliana's hand tightly. "I only want my sister with me... and Healer Hermes. He seems so kind..."

I looked at the thin man, my eyes full of manufactured trust.

Liliana froze for a second, then a glint appeared in her eyes.

If it was just her and one healer in the room, swapping the babies would be even easier.

"Your Majesty," she said softly. "My sister has been shy since we were children. If she feels unsafe, it could complicate the birth…"

The queen considered it for a moment, then nodded.

"Fine. Only Healer Hermes will stay." She waved a hand, dismissing the others. "Everyone else, wait outside."

The doors closed, leaving just me, Liliana, and Healer Hermes.

My eyes met his. I saw the barest hint of a nod.

"Agh—" another wave of pain crashed over me.

"It's starting!" Healer Hermes moved quickly. "Your Highness, push!"

Right on cue, Liliana began her own performance.

"Ah! I'm… I'm going into labor too!" she cried, clutching her stomach and collapsing onto a nearby chair.

She'd used a labor-inducing drug, just to give birth at the same time as me.

The exact same script as last time.

But this time, I knew what was in her belly.

"Healer Hermes!" I cried out weakly. "Help my sister first!"

"Do not worry, Your Highness!" Hermes moved swiftly between the two beds. "I can attend to you both!"

The pain came in waves. I bit down hard and pushed.

I could feel the powerful force inside me fighting to get out.

"I see the head! Push again!" Hermes yelled.

I took a deep breath and gave it everything I had.

"Waaah—"

A baby's cry filled the room.

Hermes held a tiny body in his arms.

In that instant, I saw a flash of gold in my baby's eyes.

The true hybrid king! My son!

Hermes quickly brought the baby to me. He had a small vial in his hand.

He dropped the liquid into the baby's eyes, and the golden glow vanished.

"A healthy boy," he said in a low voice, his eyes conveying a message only I could understand.

Almost at the same moment, a cry came from Liliana's side.

But this cry was shrill and piercing, with a strange, echoing quality.

I glanced over and felt my stomach turn.

I saw the monster. It was covered in coarse fur, its limbs twisted and malformed, its mouth split open in a blood-curdling shriek.

"They need to be cleaned," Hermes said, quickly carrying both infants to a cleansing station in the corner, where a set of tools for the swap was already prepared.

Behind the station, his hands moved in a blur.

I couldn't see his movements clearly, but I heard the clinking of vials and jars.

Liliana lay on her bed, exhausted, her eyes fixed on the cleansing station.

Three minutes later, he returned holding two babies.

One, with eyes that glittered like gold. The other, small and seemingly premature.

"Congratulations, Your Highnesses." He handed the "golden-eyed" baby to Liliana. "This little prince possesses extraordinary power."

Liliana took the baby. When she saw the fake golden eyes, her face lit up with ecstasy.

"The hybrid king!" she whispered, her voice trembling. "It's true! He's the one from the prophecy!"

And I weakly took the other baby, the one who looked premature.

My real son, perfectly disguised as an ordinary child.

"Sera's baby looks a bit weak," Liliana said, looking at me with triumph in her eyes. "But at least he was born safely."

She cradled the disguised monster as if she were holding the entire world.

If only she knew she was holding a time bomb.

Just then, the doors burst open.

Kael stormed in, sword in hand, his Night Raiders behind him, radiating killing intent.

"Who. Dares. Harm. My. Mate?!"

Queen Victoria and her guards rushed in right after him.

Prince Damien was close behind, his expression fraught with worry.

"Kael!" the queen snapped. "What do you think you're doing?"

Kael's sword was pointed into the room, his killing intent palpable. "I asked, who dares harm my mate!"

His eyes scanned the room, finally landing on my weak form.

"Sera!"

Just then, Damien saw the baby in Liliana's arms.

The fake golden eyes glittered under the crystal lights.

"Gods…" he whispered, stumbling toward Liliana. "Is that… the hybrid king?"

Queen Victoria saw it too. A fanatical gleam lit up her eyes.

"The prophecy! The prophecy has come true!"

She hurried to Liliana's side, cautiously peering at the disguised monster.

"Such powerful energy…" The queen reached out but didn't dare to touch him. "Damien, this is your son! The future monarch!"

Damien took the baby, tears streaming down his face as he stared at the fake golden eyes.

"My son… My king…"

He turned to Kael, his eyes filled with smugness and mockery.

"See, Kael?" Damien gloated, showing off the baby. "Coming to this sacred island was for the best. The lunar array worked its magic. The true king has been born."

Kael gripped his sword, veins bulging on his neck.

"And no one harmed your precious mate," the queen sneered. "You, on the other hand, barging into a sacred temple, disrupting a birth. Have you no decency?"

"I was worried," Kael bit out.

"Worried about what?" Damien laughed. "Worried Seraphina couldn't produce the hybrid king?"

He glanced at the ordinary-looking baby in my arms and shook his head.

"It seems my bloodline is superior after all."

"The second prince's blood is noble, of course," Liliana said with false comfort. "But the prophecy chose my son. It was fated."

I lowered my head, speaking in a soft, weak voice.

"I… I never intended to compete with my sister for the title of hybrid king…"

All eyes turned to me.

"I only ever wanted my child to be safe." I stroked my real son's head, tears welling in my eyes. "Since my sister has given birth to the prophesied one, I am truly… happy for her."

My act—the heartbroken, defeated new mother—fooled them completely.

A victorious smile spread across Liliana's face.

"Thank you, Sera," she said, her tone dripping with pity. "You're a good mother too."

Queen Victoria nodded, satisfied.

"Now that both children have been born safely, you should rest," she told Kael. "As a member of the royal family, you should learn to control your emotions."

Damien held his new son, smug and triumphant.

"We return to the capital in three days. I must report this good news to Father."

They began to discuss coronations, naming ceremonies, and succession, their voices fading as they left.

The door closed again.

Silence fell over the room.

The anger on Kael's face vanished. He sheathed his sword.

He rushed to my side and gently wrapped his arms around me.

"Sera…"

"You did it," he whispered, his voice trembling with relief and pride. "My brave, brilliant mate. You did it."

I saw it in his eyes. Kael had been reborn with me.

Tears streamed down my face.

"Kael…" I clung to him. "We saved our son. We finally saved him."

"Yes." He kissed my forehead. "We saved him."

We held each other and wept, the fear and despair finally washing away.

The baby in my arms slept peacefully, his tiny hands balled into fists.

"From the moment I came back, I had a plan," I said, wiping my tears, my voice growing firm. "If they want a hybrid king so badly, then let them think they have one."

Kael stroked our son's cheek, a cold glint in his eyes.

"Hermes's illusion is perfect, but it will only last a month at most."

"A month?"

"By then, the cursed blood will fully manifest." A cruel smile touched Kael's lips. "That monster will reveal its true form in front of everyone."

I pictured the scene, and a cold smile formed on my own lips.

"There's a piece of information that needs to get out," I said.

"What is it?"

"In my past life, I found a rare book in the royal library's forbidden section. It was about bloodline curses. It said that 'nourishing' a powerful being with the blood of a cursed relative wouldn't purify it. Instead, it would act like a poison, accelerating the curse and creating an even more uncontrollable, deformed monster. At the time, the thought horrified me. Now? It’s the perfect trap."

Kael understood my plan instantly.

"So if Damien feeds that monster his cursed blood… it will make it stronger, and make the curse erupt faster and more violently."

I stroked my son's tiny hand.

"Let them enjoy their dream for one month. One month from now, at the naming ceremony, they will learn what true despair tastes like."