CHAPTER 1040: CHAPTER 1040: AT RISK OF DYING?!!

"Haha. I thought Your Holiness was not peeking at my mind?’’ Arabella jested.

’’I’m not. I could tell from your face,’’ the Pope replied as politely as he could.

’’Right, haha.’’

Arabella had tried guarding her expressions more after Alwin said her thoughts were visible on her face. But people like the Pope, who speak and mingle with a lot of people, were very observant. They notice every quirk of eyebrows or the slightest change in expression and demeanor.

"So, returning to the topic, from your expression alone, I was able to verify that it is true. Am I right?" Pope Elsevier said.

’I’m so sorry, Clarisse, Raymond.’ Arabella internally cried. She would apologize to them later.

"Yes. I believe Your Holiness understands that this is not something they reveal to anyone. Only a few of us know it is true," Arabella said.

A difficult pregnancy could spark more rumors or even make some people think they should begin sending their daughters to seduce Raymond so they could replace Clarisse in case something happened to her due to the pregnancy.

There may even be people who would try to assassinate Clarisse in ways that would not make it too obvious, and only make it seem like it was due to the difficult pregnancy that she died. Such things happen in the nobility, so they gatekeep some information.

"I know, don’t worry. It’s not your fault, I verified it. I was already sure it’s true. I only asked because I have a request I’d like to ask of you."

"A request? What would it be? I’m not sure I’ll be able to do it, though. It depends on what it is," Arabella responded, surprised by this turn of events.

"I’d like to meet Lady Clarisse as well, and I need your help to set it up," Pope Elsevier requested.

Arabella frowned at this, "Your Holiness could have asked Prime Minister Raymond directly instead of me."

"I couldn’t. At least not yet, until after speaking with you. I believe you also noticed his expression earlier. Dragons are naturally overprotective and possessive of their mates. The same is true with the Prime Minister, even if he looks much more gentle and approachable than your husband. I’m sure he would disagree and ask me to wait until she has given birth. But I must meet her before she gives birth,’’ the Pope clarified.

Arabella gulped.

He was right.

Judging from Raymond’s expression earlier, like Ferdinand, he would surely refuse.

Ferdinand only agreed this time because he knew Arabella would still speak with Pope Elsevier since she also had something she wanted to speak with him about. And he knew that she would speak with the Pope another time behind his back if he refused now.

Ferdinand chose to agree because he could at least stay by the door this time and try to listen in.

Pope Elsevier used a spell, though, so no one outside could listen in on their conversation.

But when it comes to Clarisse, it’s a different scenario.

Clarisse was pregnant, so Raymond was more vigilant and protective than how he usually was. Especially since Clarisse’s current pregnancy was giving her a hard time.

"Why must it be before Clarisse gives birth? Her current pregnancy is indeed more sensitive than her previous ones, so I’m not sure it’s the best time to speak with her. His Excellency is walking on eggshells with her. He’s doing his best not to trigger or aggravate her in any way," Arabella pointed out.

"I knew it! This was exactly why. Because I knew her pregnancy now was more difficult and taxing on the body than her previous ones. Dragons usually only have one child. Having two is already surprising. And three is like a miracle,’’ Pope Elsevier replied.

"Can Your Holiness please elaborate on this?’’ Arabella got curious.

From Elder Satara’s vision, she learned she would have four children with Ferdinand. And yet the Pope was saying a third child among dragons is already a miracle.

"The long-lived races, especially dragons, live for too long.

It takes them a long time to get married, and their pregnancy takes years.

Raising a child takes even longer.

They were used to this setup, so in case they have another child, there would be a long gap.

Likely decades or even several hundred years or even thousands of years.

Having two children in just a few years was only made possible when they began intermarrying with humans.

Still, there is a reason why in Valeria’s history the former rulers usually only had one or two children," Pope Elsevier paused and eyed her seriously. "This is something you must know and understand since you will likely bear a dragon child, too. And a primordial’s at that."

Arabella gulped and nodded, waiting for the Pope to continue.

"Children of dragons have monstrous amounts of mana inherited from their parents, whoever among the parents had more mana or a mix of both.

Mana can be beneficial and dangerous at the same time.

Now, imagine humans with so much less mana carrying a child in their womb who possesses a thousand times more mana than she has.

It would take a great toll on her body.

This is especially true for dragons, who had the most mana among the long-lived races.

As far as I was informed, the long-lived races make up for this by sharing their mana with their mates.

Little by little, over time, and as much as their mate’s body would allow.

This prepares them for carrying a child with a lot of mana.

And during pregnancy, I heard they share even more to ensure both the baby and mother are safe.

This has been working well so far.

But a woman’s body needs more time to recover from this.

Aside from processing the mana from the father, they also had to adapt to the mana of their child.

Thus, consecutive children in such a short amount of time are not advised to allow for recovery.

I have observed from the past dragon mates that a third child rarely succeeds, and if it does, it poses the risk of the mother dying,’’ Pope Elsevier said gravely.

"D-dying?!" Arabella was wide-eyed.