"Wait, those ears... I see, so you're an elf. This is getting interesting, along with your golden eyes." I glared at her in suspicion. "It seems that you can understand me even if you're still baby. I've decided, I'll bring you to our clan." I stiffened up even more hearing her words.

*whoosh

I don't wanna tag along with her, I hate snakes!! Especially if it can converse with me in human language!!! Ugh, I don't want to! I'd rather die!!

"Sorry Elfu-chan, you're just too cute. And just so you know, my name is Scylla and I'm the wife of the Leader of the Snake Clan Hydrange." She 'crawled' towards me. "I don't know where you came from but I can promise you, even my husband won't eat you."

Wha-What? Scylla? Hydrange? What the hell is this snake saying?! Why would she take me in?!

I shot her a glare with a hint of confusion mixed in the expression. She chuckled and smiled at me showing her greenish white fangs.

I get it that she wants to 'invest' in me because I might be able to use magic in the future just by having elven blood, but I think there's another reason.

Should I really come with her so I can survive another day? Or should I just turn her offer down? But I don't think she'll let me escape if I go with the latter.

Humu, humu, this is harder than I thought. I am a 15-year old inside this baby body, is my thinking capabilities being corrupted by my current physique?

Oh no, this is bad. I only have two options: dying here or dying there. Which is better? I guess dying here is not that bad, I wanna return to Earth after all.

[... no.]

Oh, you're back! Why not?

[Do you really want to incur the wrath of the gods?! Just stop hesitating and go with that beast, you moron..!]

Wha, how grateful am I to get advice from the great god Meerschaum!

[Shut up, you lowly mortal. Your sarcasm is tainting my holy existence. If not for Centifolia-neesama's ominous wrath, I'd rather let you die than giving you some tips..!]

Yeah, yeah, think however you like. Is it my fault I was brought here?

[Partially, yes.]

Wait what?!

[Farewell, young mortal, Her Divine Sanctity has called for me.]

You--!!

"Elfu-chan, are you still there? Hello?" I snapped back to reality when she spoke. "Have you decided?" I nodded and flashed a business smile.

If the god of destiny himself told me to follow Scylla, I guess it's meant to be considering that Meerschaum is also the god of the unknown future.

"Ish!!" I replied, trying so hard to speak properly. She just giggled at my helplessness.

"I think that means 'yes', is that correct?" I nodded again. I was suddenly lifted off the ground by her tail and got carried as she 'crawled' for a kilometer and a half.

Where she stopped stood a tombstone-like wall made of batholith. A paragraph of an unknown language was engraved on the stone, and it started to glow when Scylla 'stood' on a circular platform made from limestone carved with the same language of the words.

"You might wanna brace yourself, Elfu-chan." She warned me that I gulped. Bright light enveloped our entire beings from the platform and before I knew it, a new scenery of straw huts replaced the eerie forest where I witnessed unparalleled atrocity.

*whoosh

The word that lingered in my mind as I took in the beautiful sight was... breathtaking.

I thought snakes like damp places, like a cave. Oh right, this is a fantasy world. Beasts like her have human mentality, meaning that they think and act like a human.

Hundreds of huts scattered across the valley and 'humans' were seen as little ants from my point of vision. Some children played tag while the adults tended to their farms and their fishnets submerged in water.

Like normal humans, they are wearing clothes made from cotton and linen. The women are wearing brown leather corsets and aprons on their chests down to their thighs.

"We've arrived." She informed me and teleported right at the gate. The guards looked at each other and then to the she-snake with me.

I admit, having her with me is more convenient than I thought. Well, she is the wife of their Clan Leader.

"Welcome back Scylla-sama!" The guards greeted her. The she-snake transformed into her human form, with magenta hair while her turquoise eyes were sharp. She wore a gown made out of palm leaves.

"I'm back so you can open the gate now."

"But Scylla-sama, we need to inspect that 'thing' with you." One of the guards said that a vein popped on my forehead.

Excuse me, thing? How dare he! If he knew that I'm a descendant of a dragon, I doubt he'd still say that. Hmph!

"Heh? Can you repeat that?" Scylla asked with a hint of annoyance in her tone that the guards flinched. "Hm? Say it again!"

"We were just curious about that thing in your arms, Scylla-sama. It's a suspicious object that could endanger us."

"This is not a thing, you lowly snakes, this is from now on, my daughter. Anyone who wants to object can do so in the arena. Do you still wanna inspect her, hmm?!"

"Of course not, Scylla-sama." They unlocked the gate.

*creak

"Please, you can now go inside." He added so she did and headed straight to a hut.

In front was two red satin banners and a matching red flaglet atop the roof. Two brown snakes were outside and they bowed when they saw her.

"Greetings Scylla-sama, and welcome back. May we return to our home and come back later?" The younger snake said and she nodded. "Thank you Scylla-sama." He stated and they hurriedly left.

They're so peculiar. I thought beastmen only have brawls in their minds, I guess I was a bit rude thinking that just because they are part animals means that they act like one. Mataku, how biased I am.

We came inside and what awaited us was a gorgeous man in his late 20s with crimson hair and amethyst eyes. Miniscule scales were partially visible on his face and his crossed legs were on the table full of paperwork. He smiled smugly.

"Oi Scylla-san, it seems you forgot our anniversary just because of a worthless thing like that!" He said, putting an emphasis on those last words.

Somehow, this person irks me.

"Charybdis-sama, can you refrain from insulting my child. As a mother, I'd hate it because the insult could be intended for me as well. Do we have an understanding, hm?" He chuckled.

*chuckle

"Huh, your child? Don't make me laugh!" He got up from his seat and stood a few inches away from her. "Oi Scylla-san, how dare you disrespect your husband?! Did you learn to talk back after taking this... I don't know, child?!"

He's her husband?! What the heck! Well, he is handsome and Scylla is also beautiful so there's nothing wrong with it. But he's an asshole!

"Not at all Charybdis-sama, I never changed my attitude by the way. I've always been like this." She looked down to me. "Elfu-chan, don't worry. I'll protect you like what I promised." I just nodded and dozed off.

*zzz

***

Scylla's POV

When I saw the silver-haired infant for the first time, I felt that I needed to protect it whatever the cost. I even talked back to my domineering husband just to preserve the baby's pride of being a hybrid.

She looks like an elf, but she only have a faint smell similar to that particular race. She reeks of other races, what in the world is she? Did I perhaps... pick up a dangerous creature? No way right?

She fell asleep in my arms so I asked my maternal mother to take care of her. I placed her on my bed and went back to my husband.

"Charybdis-sama, please do not annoy me any longer. I am not in the mood to handle all your childish tantrums." I calmly told him so he clicked his tongue and smirked.

*tch

"Huh, are you sure? You're disgracing our clan for bringing in that filthy thing! You of all people should know the rule, you're my wife after all." He stroked then gripped my neck. "What's with you and that thing?! Are you seriously going to take care of her? You?" I slapped his hand.

*slap

"Shut up, it's none of your business. I can't have children so might as well adopt one. Won't you just think of this as one of my pasttimes?" I made eye contact. "Hm, Charybdis-sama?" He sighed in defeat.

"Fine, but make sure that it won't die in your care. And it's none of my concern if she gets bullied by the brats outside or not. Good night!" He huffed angrily and went out.

"Thank you, Charybdis-sama." A smile crept up on my face. "Even if you're a little stubborn, I still like you." I added and went back to my room.

I can't believe what just happened! I thought he's gonna kill me along with the child, how relieved I am to know that he trusts me.

But what name suits her? How about... Selene? Dulia Selene... that's it! It suits her!

I'll raise her to the best of my abilities and watch her as she slowly grows up into a stunning beauty. Many men will court her and I'll help her find a suitable husband.

"Hey!" A familiar voice of a man suddenly called out that I shuddered. Shivers ran down my spine and my knees felt so weak.

"Greetings Your Highness!" I greeted him respectfully with a bow.

"Yes, yes, I want you to take care of something."

"What is it that you want, Your Highness?" I curiously asked as I looked at him in the eye.

"You will take care of my nephew, but he'll only arrive here in the next few years. Do expect to deal with necessary but little troubles along the way, do you understand?" I made a quick bow and looked at him again.

"Yes Your Highness, this lowly servant of yours understood your words." He suddenly disappeared into the night.

That removed a decade of my life! Phew, that scared me. Who knew that the Grand Duke came here to tell me something about taking care of his nephew.

Wait, I have to raise another kid other than Dulia?!

No!!!!!!!!!