If there’s anything truly unpleasant, it’s probably that the system has told her not to touch those matters anymore.
It constantly reminds her: "Don’t delve into that forbidden realm, don’t awaken dormant powers."
But what exactly is "those matters," the system never clarifies.
This feeling of restriction makes her restless.
Caleb Shaw’s eyes are lowered, thick lashes casting a shadow underneath.
He stands before her, shoulders erect, voice low.
"You mentioned before that you wanted to do business; I’ve already arranged the most critical storefronts. What are your plans next?"
He knows she is not someone content with ease and doesn’t want her confined under the eaves.
So, he has quietly paved the way.
"Other noblewomen stay home all day with their children; their lives aren’t something you can reference."
She knows she is different from those noblewomen who only know dressing up and comparing their husbands’ status.
But recently, she seems to have become somewhat similar to them.
Not going out, not socializing, staying indoors all day, listening to the heartbeat of the little one in her belly, counting his kicks.
She starts to get used to this quiet life, yet this calm makes her uneasy.
Selene Kane is taken aback, only then realizing that she has almost entirely integrated into this world recently.
She is no longer the independent career woman in the real world, nor the flustered, cautious newcomer of a traveler.
Now she has begun to describe life with terms like "our tribe" and "my man."
She has unknowingly accepted the rules of this world, her identity as the Female Master, and even started self-identifying as a "mother."
But she’s not content, and she doesn’t want to stop here.
Not going out, not socializing, just staying indoors every day, feeling the little one in her belly grow each day.
That feeling of protection and being surrounded initially gave her peace of mind.
But over time, it’s like a thick quilt that suffocates her.
She needs to breathe, needs to step out that door, needs to know what she can still control.
She suddenly stands up abruptly.
Ethan Sinclair, lying beside her, is startled, his furry head lifting suddenly, ears perked up.
The smooth silver fur she just petted stands on end, like a frightened fox.
"Female Master! You might hurt the child doing that!"
He immediately transforms back into human form, standing barefoot on the ground, frowning, his mouth in a pout as he complains.
"You’re too reckless. About to be a mom, yet so careless. What if you bump into something?"
He reaches out to support her but doesn’t dare to exert force, only staring nervously at her belly.
Selene Kane jumps on the spot twice, her heels landing softly, making a gentle "thump thump" sound.
"It’s fine; I’m sturdy enough."
She says with a bright voice, smiling.
"The doctor says I’m in good shape, the fetus is stable, a little jump won’t harm."
The few men present are all terribly frightened by this leap.
Caleb Shaw almost immediately strides forward, arms open.
Evan Sinclair rushes over from the corner, face pale, mumbling "stop fooling around."
Heath Langdon even lunges to her other side, arms raised, ready to catch her if needed.
Zane also drops the wooden sword, stumbling over, his little face flushed red.
They all gather around, hands out, eyes tense, ready to catch her if she accidentally falls.
The air seems to freeze, even the breaths are cautious.
"Do you take me for a paper figure?"
Her voice raised a bit, slightly upset, a hint of grievance flashing in her eyes.
"Why only care about the baby now, treating me like I’m fragile?"
She feels stifled, like something is blocking her chest.
After fighting so hard from the initial panic and fear.
To the stable life now, each step has been hers to take.
Yet even so, in their eyes, she is still the Female Master who needs protection, hardly changed.
They love her, protect her, yet seem to have forgotten.
She once was the woman who could stand alone, deciding life and death for thousands.
Heath Langdon gently takes her hand, his movements soft.
He reassures her quietly while helping her to sit down slowly, worried about any discomfort she might have.
"Female Master, we’re concerned about you."
"We are first your partners, here to accompany you, protect you, and then fathers to the child. To us, you’re never just a vessel for childbirth."
This puts her at ease.
Selene Kane’s tense shoulders relax slightly, her expression softening at last.
She lowers her gaze, absentmindedly fiddling with the wrist guard, though a storm rages within her heart.
"But Female Master, are you really not feeling unwell?"
Heath Langdon remains worried, brows slightly furrowed, eyes intently fixed on her face.
"Why ask this all of a sudden?"
Selene Kane lifts her head, looking at him with some confusion.
She thinks she’s in good shape.
Though a bit tired, overall, there’s nothing seriously wrong or notably strange.
At this moment, Caleb Shaw speaks slowly, voice low and heavy.
"Generally, a pregnancy lasts six months, but I can already feel the child is about to come out, frequent fetal movements, and position is low, like near delivery."
His brow furrows deeply, face full of concern.
"Better to have a doctor check; I can’t take a chance. What if something happens..."
Selene Kane’s heart tightens, dryly laughs twice, trying to cover her inner panic.
She silently recites in her mind: "System, there’s a problem! Didn’t it say it changed to three months? Why are they still counting six months like normal? This pace will collapse!"
"I can’t change the interstellar reproductive rules, not enough energy."
The system’s voice echoes coldly in her mind, devoid of emotion.
"Such matters involving the underlying settings of the Universe can’t just be altered with a click or two. You’ll have to find a way to bluff through; don’t count on me."
Selene Kane’s inner scream nearly breaks through.
She takes a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, lips pursed slightly.
"No."
She replied firmly in her heart.
Her mind spins rapidly, eight hundred ideas pulled back and forth, unable to conceive a convincing explanation.
If S-level females could have their pregnancy time shortened.
Then the Empress is also S-level, why hasn’t she given birth early?
All historically recorded S-level females have carried to full term of six months, haven’t they?
How can a traveler like her break such physiological laws?
But right now, the Beast Husbands are all watching her, their eyes eager enough to see through her.
Each more tense than the other, each more focused.
In Heath Langdon’s eyes, there’s a hidden tenderness, in Caleb Shaw’s pupils, an unease flickers.
The others hold their breath, waiting for her response.
The feeling of being surrounded by their collective anticipation puts her under immense pressure, making it hard to breathe.
"Actually..."