Though she hadn’t forgotten the five years spent with Elise, the flood of memories from her past life and her time in the other world five years prior overwhelmed her. Compared to the combined twenty-plus years of her past and present selves, those five years felt heartbreakingly small.

Yet their impact remained. Naya didn’t know how to face Elise.

No matter her mindset, everything felt deeply awkward.

Nervously bringing the clothes to Elise’s side, she stole a glance at Elise’s graceful figure—and her heart quickened without warning.

Seeing Elise’s naked form stirred involuntary memories of countless intimate nights together.

Sigh…

What’s wrong with me?

After regaining her memories, she was neither the Chosen Hero she once was nor the amnesiac Naya she’d become.

For now, just help Elise dress quickly. Stop overthinking.

Elise lifted her leg.

Naya knelt before her, first slipping on Elise’s panties, then her undergarments.

Though her mind resisted serving Elise, her body moved on instinct—hands completing each step without hesitation.

She felt like a spectator, watching herself dress Elise in dark crimson robes.

Once dressed, Elise extended her long leg. Naya rested it on her lap, fingertips tracing the smooth, jade-like curve of Elise’s calf.

Pulling the black stockings up, she noticed the faint indent where fabric met skin.

Elise remained silent throughout.

Naya’s pulse raced with quiet dread.

Only after Elise was fully dressed did Naya attend to herself. Though their clothes shared one wardrobe, memory clearly distinguished whose was whose.

Finally, she combed and tied Elise’s hair.

Every motion felt unnaturally familiar—yet utterly wrong.

A clash between two lifetimes.

“Naya, is something on your mind?”

“Huh? No.”

Naya met Elise’s gaze in the mirror.

“Is there something you want? You can ask. Or… do you wish I stayed longer? If you’re truly upset, I can postpone today’s plans.”

“No, please focus on your duties. I’m just tired—I’ll rest after you leave.”

“Oh? About our child… nothing else you’d like to ask?”

Elise probed gently, sensing a shift in Naya she couldn’t name.

“I… don’t understand how this is possible. We’re both women.”

“That’s the power of the Dragon Sovereign,” Elise smiled. “I can do what others cannot.”

“Then… how far along is the child?”

“Hmm… I won’t tell you.”

In the mirror, Elise’s lips curved faintly. Naya’s expression stayed blank.

Truth was, “months” didn’t apply. Dragonkin birth differed vastly from humans’.

First, the egg formed within the mother.

Then it was laid, incubated, hatched—and only then, guided by external forces, would the hatchling take humanoid form.

Far more complex than human childbirth.

Though exceptions existed… like Eliya.

“I’ll tell you when you feel better.”

After tying Elise’s hair, Elise stood, turned, and pulled Naya into a lingering embrace, kissing her softly before releasing her.

Gently stroking Naya’s flushed cheek, Elise’s eyes held a trace of reluctance.

“I’m off. Take good care of Eliya.”

“Mm…”

Often, Elise left at dawn, returning only by evening.

Naya understood—burdens of the Dragon Sovereign were many.

Watching Elise vanish down the path, Naya pressed a hand to her chest. A sudden, sharp sorrow rose.

Like a secluded wife bidding farewell to a warrior husband… yet it was only a day. Why this ache?

What is this feeling?

Why does it hurt?

“Lady Naya, Her Majesty the Dragon Queen has departed. Shall we close the gate?”

A maid’s soft voice pulled her back. Their queen consort often stood lost at the door—it was familiar.

Naya took a slow breath. Nodded.

“Mm.”

Since being named queen consort three years ago, she’d rarely left the castle alone—only with Elise’s escort.

The maids did more than clean: they monitored and protected Naya and Eliya.

Three battle maids—elite Dragonkin warriors, equally skilled in combat and hearth.

Before, Naya would’ve submitted without question.

But now? The System had reawakened. Memories restored.

Could she still summon the Holy Lance “Lancer”? Retain her former stats?

After the gate closed, Naya climbed the stairs.

Eliya still slept—children needed rest. Time remained to sort her thoughts.

Sitting on the bed, she set aside the shock of her female form. Not the priority.

Pinching her chin, she called inwardly:

【System, are you there?】

【Always.】

【Analyze my body stats and possessions.】

【Host is now Dragonkin. Physical abilities significantly enhanced versus human form. All other stats unchanged. Skills from your time as Chosen Hero remain accessible. Possessions: one damaged Holy Lance “Lancer.”】

All other gear lost?

No matter. Lance intact. Skills intact. She could still fight.

But she’d fallen to Dragon Queen Elise five years ago. No reckless challenges now.

First: hide the restored memories. Then escape… or complete the System’s final quest?

Slay the head of the evil dragons—her own wife, the Crimson Dragon Queen Elise.

Like every Chosen Hero tale: slay the Dragon Sovereign. Rescue the princess. Uphold justice.

Yet now…

She’d married the final boss. Carried her child.

To continue felt absurd.

【Host. Do not let years as Dragonkin erase your truth: you are a human Chosen Hero at heart.】

“I’m not denying it…”

Her fingers brushed the dragon horns atop her head. Brow furrowed. Eyes flickered with tangled doubt.

“But I… I’m like this now. Carrying Elise’s child. What… what do I do?”

【The egg hasn’t formed. Terminate it.】

The System’s voice, cold and mechanical.

Though born in her mind, it struck her like thunder.