It didn’t take long to make the decision. After all, this entire matter was entirely Dante’s own will.
‘Still, I want to go. If I can find a way there.’
A delegation was formed to visit the Domain of Autumn, following the child’s wish.
Instead of Yerpi, Pepe and Erka decided to remain in the castle to oversee the maids, while Marian would attend to the Dowager Duchess and Snoel would serve Charlotte.
Entering the Domain of Autumn was expected to go smoothly.
Although large-scale Hwan-su were common there, their temperaments were generally mild. More importantly, most of the land was flat, filled with rice paddies and fields, allowing many Hwan-su to coexist peacefully with humans.
As for distance, they assumed it wouldn’t be an issue as long as they used the spatial gaps.
But crossing through the boundary’s gaps proved impossible.
It was the third day since departure.
The delegation halted upon reaching the first boundary gap. The reason was the living gap itself.
The spatial rift, which allowed instant travel across vast distances, was visible only to Raymond and Yerpi.
‘It’s closing itself.’
Each time the delegation attempted to enter, the gap opened only to immediately block their passage.
Just a short while ago, when heading toward and returning from the Domain of Summer, using the gaps had posed no significant difficulty. The only difference now was Charlotte’s presence.
Raymond and Yerpi exchanged glances. When they had brought Charlotte back from the Domain of Summer, the gap had shown slight abnormalities.
To Yerpi’s eyes, the spatial gap resembled an aurora composed of pink and green hues.
Within the split, the rift appeared dark like a doorway to space, glittering with star-like flickers. But when Charlotte passed through, its light had dulled.
They had assumed it was a temporary phenomenon. Never did they imagine it would completely prevent entry.
This wasn’t merely an issue with the gaps.
On their way toward the Domain of Autumn’s connecting rift, they hadn’t encountered a single Hwan-su. It seemed as if all had hidden themselves to avoid Charlotte.
‘It’s as if everything in Growen is rejecting Charlotte.’
In the end, they had no choice but to cross into the Domain of Autumn using carriages and military steeds.
Even the military steeds, being Hwan-su themselves, were reluctant toward Charlotte, forcing them to rely on carriages.
The delegation now stood precisely at the border between Growen’s center and the Domain of Autumn. From here onward, Yerpi’s mood would no longer influence the weather.
‘It’s raining.’
As they entered the Domain of Autumn, rain began to fall. The fine drizzle moistened the fertile land, breathing vitality into the soil.
‘So this is the Domain of Autumn.’
Unlike the densely forested central regions, as the view extended farther, trees displayed fresh green leaves gradually turning yellow, then further into vibrant, multicolored foliage, exuding the essence of autumn.
They had always assumed such splendor belonged solely to summer’s flora, yet the kaleidoscopic display of autumn was even richer and more elegant.
The rainfall wasn’t heavy, so it posed no obstacle to their journey.
Upon learning it was raining, Charlotte hadn’t stepped out of the carriage even once.
She had even drawn the curtains over the windows, making the interior completely invisible from outside.
In contrast, Yerpi, who had grown restless staying indoors, borrowed a military steed and was traveling alongside the knights.
Her reins were tied to Raymond’s steed walking beside her.
Ahead, she could see Raymond’s back as he rode a few steps away.
He had provided her with a raincoat and even controlled the reins for her, just so she could ride out of the carriage.
Raymond, on the other hand, rode completely exposed, drenched by the falling rain.
Perhaps sensing her furtive gaze, Raymond spoke.
“If you’re cold, go back inside.”
“No, it’s actually cool and pleasant. The rain is fine enough it doesn’t even seep into the raincoat.”
Pulling the front flaps of her raincoat tighter, like fastening a collar, kept the cold air out and warmth in.
Riding side by side like this, amid the rain, had its own quiet charm, much like a stroll taken together on a rainy day.
Even without special conversation, there was no awkwardness—simply being together felt good.
Just as the military steeds continued forward, Yerpi felt a scratching sensation near her abdomen.
Glancing slightly at the gap in her raincoat, she saw Dante nestled between the coat and her clothes.
Since he clearly didn’t want to leave her side, keeping him close inside was the best option, and Dante seemed content, curled up and fast asleep.
Seeing his steady breaths within her arms brought her comfort and peace.
Due to the light drizzle, mist had settled across the distant landscape.
As a result, everything beyond the plains appeared hazy. Through the mist, a herd of medium-sized Hwan-su came into view.
Resembling cattle, the herd quickly scattered and vanished into the gaps of the multicolored forest before the delegation could approach.
‘They’re gone.’
It was the first Hwan-su she had seen since arriving in the Domain of Autumn, yet they had fled even before meeting. Most likely, it was because of Charlotte.
‘Why are the Hwan-su so fearful of Charlotte?’
Yerpi naturally attracted Hwan-su like a spice. Drawn by her sweet scent, lower-tier Hwan-su would quickly become enchanted and obediently follow her.
Yet now, even the smallest Hwan-su were nowhere to be seen. What did this mean?
“Has the Empire’s clergy never visited Growen before?”
Raymond’s military steed slowed slightly ahead. As it matched pace with hers, his profile came into view.
“Growen has a nature opposite to the Life Goddess worshipped by Kerast.”
“Why is that?”
“The Life Goddess is said to have created all life on this land. But dragons are born from magic energy. They exist beyond the realm of the gods. The Empire’s clergy regard stepping into Growen as taboo. That’s why they wanted to send your younger sister away as quickly as possible.”
Originally isolated behind icy barriers, with the addition of strict temple rules, no clergy member had ever set foot in Growen until now.
“…I see.”
According to Raymond, Charlotte had already broken their sacred rules.
Would Charlotte be stripped of her title as Saintess upon returning?
Perhaps that was why she had been so reluctant to leave Growen.
But further thoughts led her to another question.
‘Then why was there a passage leading to Growen beneath the Grand Temple?’
Even that was ancient, and few alive knew its reason. Her gaze turned to the carriage carrying Charlotte.
The curtains blocking the windows remained tightly drawn, shielding the interior.
She had no idea what Charlotte was thinking or doing inside. But still—
‘I should be able to discover the reason this feels so unsettling to me.’
At least, the growing distance she felt toward Charlotte couldn’t be due to divine power alone.
The delegation was heading toward Deacle, a manor located at the heart of the Domain of Autumn.
The path they were currently on was the quickest shortcut to that destination.
Darkness settled over the damp, maple-tree forest.
Fortunately, the rain had stopped.
Since they still needed half a day’s travel to reach the nearest village, the delegation chose a suitable campsite and set up tents.
Knights and their attendants moved briskly, gathering dry firewood.
Dante, awakened by the commotion, stirred, opened the raincoat, and crawled out.
[Ah, I slept well.]“Weren’t you cold?”
[Nope. What are they doing over there?]Dante pointed toward where the knights were collecting dry twigs. Beyond them, Raymond’s figure was also visible.
Though she couldn’t hear, he appeared to be discussing something with one of the knights.
“They’re gathering firewood for the camp.”
[I want to pick up firewood too!]“Wait a moment. You can’t go alone.”
She stepped onto the forest path to catch Dante, who was quickly moving away.
Luckily, he hadn’t gone far. She managed to scoop him up as he returned, carrying a twig in his mouth.
“Only dry ones. Not wet ones.”
[Then I only have this one?]“Finding even one is great. Want to go together and deliver it?”
[Yeah!]Thrilled by the sense of accomplishment, the young dragon flapped his wings vigorously.
His adorable appearance made her mood lift in turn.
Returning to the campsite, she saw Charlotte’s carriage.
The tightly closed door was now open. The interior was completely empty.
‘Did she go for a walk?’
It was surprising that someone who detested wet soil would step outside.
Turning her head again, she saw Raymond’s back. He was holding Charlotte by the shoulders.
Top Celebrity Younger Brother Bears Her Child (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: Forced to live stream romance with a top celebrity in a female-dominant world.
Yan Jin transmigrated into a brothel, with a fellow transmigrated junior beside her.
Hearing the obscene words coming from outside, the unfortunate junior covered his ears tightly, his cheeks flushed red, and whispered to comfort her, “Don’t worry, I will definitely help you escape.”
“Don’t worry, I will definitely defend your chastity.” Yan Jin looked at the flawless and delicate features of the unfortunate junior and gently comforted, “Because we have transmigrated into a female-dominant world.”
※※※
Top celebrity Yu Shu suddenly fell into a coma during a concert.
Research scientist Yan Jin fainted in the lab after working overtime.
Two people with no connection were rushed to the same hospital.
Three days later, neither of them had woken up.
Suddenly, the entire nation discovered that a live streaming app had been forcibly installed on their phones.
Upon opening it, they heard the two discussing how to escape from the brothel.
The entire internet was in an uproar.
After the two successfully escaped from the brothel, Yu Shu’s fan group rushed to make a banner and sent it to the hospital overnight.
“Big sister bravely took action to defend the chastity of our idol!”
※※※
When Yu Shu was diagnosed with pregnancy, Yan Jin stared at his belly for a long time.
Covering his stomach, he muttered gloomily, “If you don’t like it, I’ll go get an abortion.”
“It’s not that I don’t like it.” Yan Jin hugged Yu Shu and said softly, “I just feel like I’m not human.”
Yu Shu comforted Yan Jin, “I was already an adult when we got together.”
Yan Jin hesitated, “But you won’t be of legal marriageable age even after giving birth to the child.”
At the same time, a flood of bullet comments appeared in the live streaming room that the two couldn’t see.
[Although it’s inappropriate, I also want a young and handsome boyfriend to have my child.]
①Male pregnancy (highlighted)
The female lead is five years older than the male lead, and the male lead is already an adult when he appears.
