As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 236

[Side Story 4: Maxion – Part 1]

 

Since the birth of the imperial child, the imperial palace was in a constant festive mood. The princess, born with snow-white silver hair like Luize and crimson eyes like Edward, entered the world to the enthusiastic welcome of the Empire’s people. The entire empire celebrated the birth of the princess, and even foreign nations sent envoys and gifts to congratulate the birth of Kailon’s first imperial child. Of course, the procession also included the majestic black dragon, Ren, who protects the Empire.

 

“Ppii, ppi!” [Hurry up, hurry!]

 

“We’re coming.”

 

Ren and Maxion hurried toward Luize’s room. At last, they were allowed to visit Luize. Fortunately, empresses who gave birth to imperial children recovered much faster than ordinary people, and Luize, being a human under the dragon’s domain, recovered even more quickly. Thanks to that, Ren didn’t have to wait long to see Luize.

 

When the door opened, Luize, sitting on the bed, smiled brightly at Ren. “Ren!”

 

“Pipi ppiiiii—!” [I missed you, Luize—!]

 

Ren leapt into Luize’s arms, rubbing her face against Luize’s to express her happiness.

 

“Pipi ppi. Ppiiippi. Ppii ppippippi.” [You worked hard, Luize. Congratulations. I’ll take good care of the beautiful baby.]

 

Maxion, who had come close, sat on the chair beside Luize’s bed and spoke up. “Congratulations, Luize.”

 

“Thank you. What did Ren say?”

 

“Ren congratulated you. She also said she’d take good care of the baby.”

 

Luize smiled gently as she stroked Ren’s head. “Thank you, Ren. I feel so reassured.”

 

“How are you feeling?”

 

“I’m surprised at how quickly I’m recovering. I knew women who bore imperial children recovered fast, but experiencing it myself is amazing.”

 

“Ppippii—!” [Of course—!] Ren stood confidently on two feet on the bed, beating her chest with her front paws as she continued. “Pipi ppipippi. Ppiippi ppippi.” [Luize is in my domain. She’s different from other humans.]

 

Maxion, accustomed to translating Ren’s words, spoke. “Because you belong to the dragon’s domain, you’re recovering faster than others.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Ppi!” [Yes!] Ren nodded vigorously.

 

“Thank you, Ren.”

 

When Luize hugged Ren, she snuggled in happily. Then, as if remembering something, Ren jumped down from the bed, standing upright on the ground. Thud! She slapped her tail on the floor and cleared her throat.

 

“Ahem, ppii!” [Ahem, attention!]

 

Luize pulled the clothes she had set aside onto her lap and spoke. “I’ve prepared clothes to change into in advance. Today’s the day, right?”

 

“Ppi!” [That’s right!]

 

When Luize and Ren exchanged meaningful glances, Maxion asked curiously. “What day is it?”

 

“Today, Ren is going to show her first polymorph.”

 

“Ppii!” [So watch closely!]

 

Maxion spoke to Ren. “You said you’d change into a female, right?”

 

“Ppi! Ppiiiii ppi!” [Yes! After polymorphing, I’ll be naked, so Maxion, as a male, should close his eyes!]

 

“Okay.”

 

“Ppii—!” [Then, let’s start—!]

 

After confirming that Maxion had closed his eyes, Ren cast her magic. A swirl of mana formed around the small black dragon, creating a wind in the room. Luize held her hair in place and watched as Ren was enveloped in black light, transforming. Soon, as the light and wind subsided, Ren’s human form was revealed.

 

“So, how do I look?”

 

Where the small dragon had been, there now stood a girl with jet-black eyes and hair just as black. Having transformed into a human, Ren stood proudly, hands on her hips, stomach out.

 

“Ahem, isn’t it perfect?”

 

“As expected of Ren! Even though it’s your first polymorph, you look completely human!”

 

“Well, it’s me after all!”

 

“Your imperial language is excellent too!”

 

“I’ve always been good! It was just hard to speak because my mouth was shaped differently as a dragon. Now that I’ve succeeded at polymorphing, I can even spar with you, Luize!”

 

As the two talked, Maxion asked. “Did you put on clothes?”

 

“Not yet! Wait a moment!” Ren answered and reached out to Luize.

 

As Luize handed over the clothes, she spoke. “Ren, there’s a small problem.”

 

“What is it?” Ren quickly put on the clothes Luize gave her and asked.

 

“Well… I think the clothes I prepared are a bit big.”

 

“Huh? What do you mean? They fit perfectly.”

 

Once dressed, Ren ran on all fours to the full-length mirror in the room. Wearing clothes as a human felt a little uncomfortable, but not bad. Standing upright, Ren looked at her reflection in the mirror, eyes widening. In the mirror was a pretty girl with long black hair, but the problem was that she looked about seven years old and very short.

 

“Huh?” Her black pupils trembled slightly.

 

Luize added, “Don’t you think the size difference is a bit much to practice swordsmanship together?”

 

“I—I’ll just do it again! Right away, as an older—uh, why isn’t it working?” The flustered Ren looked back and forth between her small hands and Luize.

 

* * *

Around noon, after finishing his morning work, Edward visited Luize’s room.

 

“Good afternoon, Luize. How are you feeling?”

 

“I feel better every hour. Evelyn is taking a nap right now. Did you say hello?”

 

“I plan to visit the princess’s room afterward.” He sat on the edge of Luize’s bed and looked at Maxion as he spoke. “I heard that Ren can’t polymorph into anyone older than about seven.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Having exhausted all her mana trying to polymorph, Ren was now sprawled on the floor, unable to move, like a wet rag doll.

 

Suddenly, Ren, who was lying like a starfish, sprang up. “Edward, what’s going on? Why can’t I transform into an older version of myself?”

 

“The age of your polymorph form directly reflects your mental age. I guess your mental age is around that of a seven-year-old.”

 

“No way!” Ren spoke in a voice full of despair. “That can’t be! At the very least, I should be older than you, Edward!”

 

“You really rate yourself highly, don’t you? Maybe it’s because you’re a dragon.” Edward chuckled quietly.

 

Ignoring him, Ren, still shocked and wearing clothes too big for her, dragged her pant legs across the floor as she complained to Edward. “Something must be seriously wrong here. At this rate, I can’t be Luize’s friend! Older dragons can polymorph into younger forms, so why can’t I turn into an older version?”

 

“You can transform into even younger forms. If you want, you can polymorph into a human infant.”

 

In fact, before Edward arrived, Ren had succeeded in transforming into all kinds of forms, even a newborn baby.

 

While Ren was in shock, Edward, holding Luize’s hand, spoke. “By the way, Luize, did this little dragon tire you out too much? If you wish, I can send her away immediately.”

 

“I’m fine. Actually, I was getting a bit restless myself. Since Maxion is off duty today, I was thinking of taking a walk with Ren and him. The healer also said a bit of movement would help my recovery.”

 

Hearing Luize’s words, Edward squeezed her hand lightly and replied with a serious face. “I can’t miss the chance to walk with you. That simply won’t do. I’ll join you as well.”

 

“You’ve been so much busier than usual lately. Don’t push yourself. Once I get better, let’s go together then.”

 

“I have plenty of time to spend with you, Luize. More than you think, so you don’t need to worry about that…” Edward was replying in a hurry when—At that moment, someone’s voice was heard from outside the door.