In the grand hall of a massive castle, within the opulent confines of a luxurious chamber, the anguished cries of a woman echoed. She lay on an ornate bed, her ancient clothing soaked in sweat, her face twisted in pain. A group of maids surrounded her, their faces etched with worry, as they frantically worked to assist her.
"Madam Beyli, please push with all your might!" a maid urged, gripping the woman's hand firmly.
Madam Beyli, a stunning figure with deep beautiful brown skin that seemed to shimmer under the chamber's golden light, gasped heavily. Her dragon horns and wings, symbols of her lineage, quivered as she summoned every ounce of strength left in her.
"Just a bit more, Madam! You can do this!" another maid encouraged, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and hope.
Beyli let out one final, guttural scream as the room fell silent for a heartbeat. Then, the piercing cry of a newborn shattered the tension.
"It's out!" one of the maids exclaimed with joy. She cradled the baby delicately, her face lighting up with relief. Other maids quickly brought over a basin of warm water, prepared to bathe the infant.
"My baby…" Beyli's voice was barely a whisper, her strength drifting away. Her eyelids fluttered as she tried to focus on the tiny figure in the maid's arms.
"She's a girl!" the maid holding the baby declared with a broad smile, carefully wrapping the infant in a soft blanket.
But the joy in the room was short-lived. "Madam! Madam!" Another maid's panicked cries cut through the air. Beyli's eyes had closed, her chest no longer rising and falling.
"Madam, please wake up!" a maid sobbed, shaking her lightly, but the truth was undeniable.
The doors to the chamber burst open, revealing a middle-aged man with sharp features and similar appearance to the woman appeared. His green eyes scanned the room before landing on the lifeless body of Beyli.
"My daughter… no." His voice cracked, and he stumbled forward. "Where is the child? Is she safe?"
"She's here, Master," one of the maids said softly, stepping forward with the bundled infant. Tears streaked her face as she added, "But the Madam… she didn't make it."
The man froze, his face a mask of grief. "Beyli…" His voice faltered as he turned to his daughter's lifeless body. "How can the world be so cruel? First this baby's father, and now my beloved daughter."
As if sensing his sorrow, the baby cooed softly. She reached out her tiny hand, wrapping her fingers around his outstretched one. Her bright, star-like eyes sparkled as she gazed up at him, her expression curious.
The man's breath hitched as he took in her features. Her horns shimmered like there was a galaxy in them, and her brown skin glowed beautiful.
"Gyaa!" The baby's giggle broke the heavy atmosphere, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "So cute…" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he gently tickled her.
But his awe turned to shock as realization dawned. His hand trembled as he held the child closer, his eyes wide. "Wait… these features!" he exclaimed. "She's… a Universal Dragon?!"
The room fell silent, and the maids exchanged stunned looks. "Master, what?!" one of them stammered. "Weren't they extinct? I thought all the Universal Dragons ascended to the Divine Heavens, never to be seen again."
"They did," the man replied, his voice heavy. "And their births are nearly impossible. For Beyli to give birth to one…" His gaze flickered to his daughter's body, being tenderly cleaned by the maids.
A deep sorrow settled over him. "My daughter… did you embark on that exploration to ensure the birth of this child?" He clutched the baby tighter, his expression a mix of grief and wonder. "What sacrifices did you make, Beyli, to bring her into this world?" he wondered as he remembered his daughter was obsessed with the cosmic dragons and was determined to have a child to inherit the blood line no matter what.