"You might not know this, but ever since I met you, I've truly felt alive for the first time!"
"You don't know how hard it is for snake beastmen to grow up. From as far back as I can remember, I didn't know who my parents were. I was wandering alone. It wasn't until I met you that I understood what mattered, what was precious!"
"After meeting you, I realized I could be moved, I could fall in love with a female, and I could care about everything related to her!
All the emotions I had never experienced, I've now felt them all. I'm truly happy! These feelings are so clear; they make me realize I really exist in this world. It's you who gave me hope, gave me light, gave me a chance to love!"
"Lu Lu!" Hei Yao grasped Si Lu's shoulders, shaking her slightly.
His handsome face was filled with anxiety, fear, and worry.
"Is that true?" Si Lu slowly raised her head, her eyes regaining their usual sparkle, but her face was deathly pale.
"It's true; all of it is true. So, don't scare me; don't make me afraid, okay?"
"Come back to being the vibrant, confident Lu Lu you were before, alright?" Hei Yao's voice trembled as he spoke, filled with fear. He looked at Lu Lu, pleadingly.
"Mm." Si Lu smiled faintly, but the next second, she fainted.
Hei Yao reacted quickly, catching her before she fell, holding her tightly in his arms.
"Bai Di, Bai Di!" Hei Yao carried Si Lu to the entrance of the tree hole, shouting anxiously at Bai Di, who was working not far away.
Hearing the call, Bai Di turned around and saw Hei Yao sitting at the entrance, holding the faint Si Lu. His face was full of anxiety and seriousness.
Panic overtook him instantly.
He immediately dropped what he was doing and rushed over.
Because he could see that the little female had fainted.
And Hei Yao's expression was one of sheer terror.
Bai Di remembered the last time he had seen Hei Yao like this was when Hei Yao had come to the tribe to find a healer because the little female had had a high fever that lasted for days.
So, Bai Di knew that something was seriously wrong with the little female.
When he reached the entrance of the tree hole, he saw Hei Yao holding Si Lu.
"Check her quickly. Lu Lu wasn't acting right earlier, and then she fainted," Hei Yao said fearfully as he held Si Lu.
He wasn't afraid of anything—except something happening to Lu Lu.
If anything happened to her, he wouldn't know what to do.
"I'll check her now. Don't move around too much; be careful not to pull on your wound." Bai Di carefully took Si Lu from Hei Yao's arms and laid her down on the animal skins. He extended his hand and placed it on her wrist. A thread of emerald green energy flowed into Si Lu's body.
After sensing Si Lu's condition, he couldn't help but furrow his brow.
He could tell that Si Lu wasn't in any immediate danger, and the baby in her belly was healthy.
However, her current state and her fainting were certainly concerning.
Hei Yao nervously watched Bai Di, knowing he needed to remain quiet in this moment.
He even slowed his breathing, but his eyes remained locked on Bai Di and Si Lu.
It felt as though a giant hand was squeezing his heart. His emotions were incredibly tense.
"What happened earlier? Tell me everything so I can get a clearer picture," Bai Di asked, turning to Hei Yao.
As soon as Hei Yao heard this, he immediately recounted everything that had happened. He spoke quickly, but his explanation was clear.
Bai Di listened carefully, his frown deepening as Hei Yao spoke.
He already had an idea of what was going on.
When Hei Yao finished, he anxiously stared at Bai Di.
Seeing the serious look on Bai Di's face, Hei Yao knew this was not a simple matter.
"Lu Lu… what's wrong with her?" Hei Yao asked, his heart tightening as he looked at her pale face.
"Technically, this isn't a sickness, but it is still an illness," Bai Di said, his gaze filled with worry as he looked at the unconscious Si Lu.
"What do you mean?" Hei Yao furrowed his brow in confusion.
What does that even mean? What kind of illness is and isn't a sickness at the same time?
"It's an emotional issue. It's not a physical illness, but it's not something simple either."
"Let me explain. I checked Si Lu's body and the baby's condition, and both are in good health."
"Si Lu is in no immediate danger. Also, we all share a bond with her through our beast marks. If her life were in danger, we would all feel it. Since none of us sensed anything earlier when she was upset or fainted, that means her life isn't at risk."
"But her emotional state isn't right—that's the issue. Your injury caused her distress. And because she's pregnant, she's especially sensitive. Even a small detail, a small gesture, can affect her mood."
"Right now, she's in a fragile state—both emotionally and mentally. Pregnant females are often easily affected, and their emotions can be heightened. If they can't manage or cope with it, they might faint. This is the body's way of protecting itself."
"I've seen this before with other pregnant females in the tribe. Some become more emotional. I remember once seeing a female attack her partner just because he said a few words to another female."
"And that female was also pregnant. So, it's common for pregnant females to be more vulnerable and sensitive. Sometimes they'll react dramatically to even small things. Others might become self-critical and cry non-stop." Bai Di sighed heavily as he explained.
"I've been monitoring Si Lu's emotional state carefully, but I didn't expect this." Bai Di said regretfully.
"I understand now. It's my fault. My injury must have triggered her," Hei Yao said, feeling guilty.
If he had known, he wouldn't have rested in the tree hole and let her see him.
"It's not your fault, Hei Yao. This was an accident, a small mishap. Honestly, I've been worried about this possibility. But worrying didn't help because pregnant females are inherently fragile. Even a single word, a glance, or a small gesture can trigger them."
"What we need to do now is take good care of her, wait for her to wake up, and then comfort her and help her regain her composure," Bai Di reassured him.
This wasn't anyone's fault.
Every pregnant female went through emotional changes.
For some, the changes were obvious. For others, they were subtle.
Pregnancy really isn't easy!