Alex felt a surge of anxiety. Here it comes, he thought, bracing himself for the inevitable questions about the night's accident.

The Duke continued, "Given the unique nature of your situation, we must ensure that all precautions are taken. Dragons are highly protective of potential offspring, and our society has strict protocols to follow. While you have been cleared of any wrongdoing, we need to confirm whether there are any lasting implications from your encounter."

Secretary Lin spoke up, her tone gentle yet firm. "Alex, we will need to conduct a few more tests to ensure your well-being and to determine if there are any lingering effects from your time with the Duke. These tests are crucial for your safety and for the stability of our society."

Alex fell silent, just nodding and hoping it all went well. The Duke stood up and brought over a testing kit. In the kit, there was a needle. With a gentle touch, he pricked Alex's finger and collected some blood in a tube, which he then connected to a machine.

"You know," the Duke explained, "ordinary tests are only positive after a week or so and sometimes not accurate right away. However, this small blood-testing machine can confirm any changes within two weeks. After that, you'll need to go to the doctor for a more comprehensive blood test and check-up."

Alex watched as the machine began its work, feeling a mixture of hope and dread. He wanted to believe that everything would be fine, that his life would return to normal soon. The room was silent except for the soft hum of the machine, each passing second feeling like an eternity.

After what felt like an ages, the machine beeped, and the Duke examined the results displayed on the screen. He looked up at Alex with a serious expression. He nodded and said, "Tomorrow we will do another test for confirmation. Today, you can rest. If you need to go somewhere, you can ask me or Secretary Lin."

Alex let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Thank you," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

The Duke nodded again. "You're welcome. It's important that you take it easy and let your body recover. If there's anything you need, just let us know."

Secretary Lin stepped forward, her presence as calming as ever. "I'll be nearby if you need anything, Alex."

The Duke then continued with a smile and left the room, Secretary Lin following him.

In the lobby, Secretary Lin asked the Duke, "What did the machine say?"

He smiled and looked at her. "Positive, but we need another day for confirmation. His blood has my pheromones, which might be the reason for the positivity. But if it's positiv tomorrow too, then the pheromones belong to a pup."

Secretary Lin sighed. "Poor Alex, he got trapped by a crazy person."

The Duke's expression softened. "Yes, it's unfortunate. We'll do everything we can to ensure his well being. If it's just the pheromones causing the result, then he'll be free to go soon. But if not, we'll have to prepare for what comes next."

Secretary Lin nodded, concern etched on her face. "I'll make sure he's comfortable and well taken care of in the meantime."

"Thank you, Lin. I appreciate your dedication," the Duke replied.

Back in his room, Alex tried to distract himself with the documentary, but he couldn't watch it anymore. The cute dragon children running around and the explanations of body changes made him feel an overwhelming fear. Dragons are cute, and the birth process isn't as bad as he had imagined, but the idea of going through such profound changes was terrifying.

The documentary explained that dragon babies spend four months in their mother's womb, depending on the race. In Alex's case, it would be six months. The baby's pheromones initiate changes in the body from the inside out. Dragon mothers have wombs naturally suited for these changes, but human bodies, depending on gender, require significant alterations. The DNA undergoes modification, with the first week involving the development of a small egg and the initial changes. Males have to build a womb, while females undergo reinforcement of their existing reproductive organs.

Dragon eggs are tough and sharp after birth, so the womb must become durable enough to prevent internal injuries. During the first week, the body experiences extreme fatigue and requires a significant amount of food to support the changes. The second week brings more pain as the body adapts. By the fourth month, the body is fully transformed, with a reinforced structure to support the rest of the pregnancy. The remaining two months focus on the pup's final growth.

For males, a new birth path forms, connecting the womb to the existing anatomy, resulting in tearing pain as the body adjusts. This information made Alex's stomach churn, and he felt a sense of impending dread. The thought of going through such an intense and painful transformation was almost too much to bear.

He lay back on the bed, trying to process everything. If the tests tomorrow confirmed he was carrying a dragon's offspring, his life would change in ways he couldn't fully comprehend. He felt a mix of fear and resignation, knowing there was little he could do but wait and see what the future held.

As he tried to calm his racing thoughts, Secretary Lin knocked gently on the door and entered, carrying a tray with a steaming cup of herbal tea. "I thought you might like something to help you relax," she said softly, setting the tray on the bedside table.

"Thank you," Alex murmured, reaching for the cup. The warmth of the tea was comforting, and he took a sip, savoring the calming effect it had on his nerves.

Secretary Lin sat down beside him. "I know this is a lot to take in, Alex. I am here to support you through this, no matter what the outcome. Try to rest and take it one step at a time."

Alex nodded, appreciating her reassurance. "I just... I don't know what to do or how to feel," he admitted.

"That's completely understandable," Lin replied. "You're not alone in this. We'll get through it together. For now, focus on resting and taking care of yourself. Tomorrow, we'll have more answers."

With that, she left him to rest, and Alex settled back into the pillows, trying to quiet his mind. The tea's warmth spread through him, and despite the uncertainty of his situation, he felt a small measure of comfort.

Later, he awoke to a slight pain in his abdomen. As he stood up, he noticed blood coming from underneath him. Panic began to set in, but at that moment, Secretary Lin entered the room and quickly rushed to calm him down. She helped him to his feet and guided him to the Duke's private doctor.

By the time the Duke arrived, the doctor was already attending to Alex, who was lying on an examination table, clearly in distress. The doctor worked efficiently, his hands steady and practiced, while Secretary Lin stayed close by, offering soothing words to keep Alex calm.

The Duke approached the scene with a mix of concern and determination. "What's the situation, Doctor?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with worry.

The doctor looked up briefly, his expression serious. "It appears Alex is experiencing complications related to the potential pregnancy. The initial signs of the transformation process are evident, and it's causing him significant pain."

Alex winced as another wave of pain hit him, clutching the edge of the table. Secretary Lin held his hand, her presence a small comfort amidst the chaos.

"We're going to need to monitor him closely," the doctor continued. "The bleeding is concerning, but it's not uncommon in the early stages of this kind of transformation. However, we must be vigilant."

The Duke nodded, his expression grave. "Do whatever you need to ensure his safety and well being. Keep me updated on his condition."

The doctor gave a curt nod and returned his attention to Alex, who was beginning to feel lightheaded from the pain. Secretary Lin gently stroked his hair, her voice a constant, calming presence.

"You're doing great, Alex," she whispered. "Just breathe. We're here with you."

As the minutes ticked by, the pain began to subside slightly, and the bleeding slowed. The doctor administered a series of treatments to stabilize Alex's condition and alleviate his discomfort.

Eventually, Alex's breathing steadied, and the pain dulled to a manageable level. He felt exhausted but relieved that the worst seemed to be over.

The doctor stepped back, removing his gloves and addressing the Duke. "I've stabilized him for now, but we'll need to keep a close eye on him over the next few days. The transformation process is unpredictable, and there may be more complications."

The Duke nodded, his expression resolute. "Thank you, Doctor. We'll ensure he's well cared for."

Secretary Lin helped Alex back to his room, making sure he was comfortable and had everything he needed. She sat by his bedside, her presence a comforting reminder that he wasn't alone in this ordeal.

"Thank you," Alex murmured weakly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lin smiled gently. "You're welcome, Alex. Get some rest. We'll get through this together."

As Alex drifted back into a fitful sleep, the doctor spoke with the Duke in hushed tones just outside the room. "It seems like Alex's pregnancy process has entered the stage of path building," the doctor explained, concern etched on his face. "Not only does he have a pre-existing womb, which is impossible for a human male, but there's another issue. He might be carrying more than one pup, which is only possible for female dragons."

The Duke's expression grew more serious. "Are you saying Alex might be the child of a female dragon and a human male?"

The doctor nodded gravely. "Yes, that's the only explanation that fits. This situation is unprecedented and could have significant implications. We need to monitor him closely and ensure his safety."

The Duke took a deep breath, processing this new information. "We'll do everything we can to protect him and the potential offspring. Keep me informed of any changes."

As they turned back to check on Alex, the weight of the revelation hung heavy in the air. Alex, unaware of the full scope of his predicament, continued to sleep. As Alex slept, his dreams were filled with fragments of foods and drinks, a strange comfort amidst the chaos. Images of lavish feasts, overflowing platters, and refreshing beverages danced through his mind, providing a brief respite from the anxiety of his situation.

Back outside the room, the doctor continued, "We must ensure he receives proper nutrition. His body will need extra support to handle the demands of this pregnancy, especially if he is indeed carrying more than one pup."

The Duke nodded, his resolve strengthening. "I'll make sure he's given everything he needs. And we must also start investigating his background. If he is indeed part dragon, it could change everything."

Secretary Lin, who had been listening quietly, added, "I'll handle the investigation discreetly. We can't risk anyone finding out before we understand the full implications."

The Duke agreed. "Thank you, Lin. Keep this information secure. We need to protect Alex and ensure the stability of our society."

As the Duke and the doctor left to make the necessary arrangements, Lin stayed behind, watching over Alex with a thoughtful expression. She knew the road ahead would be challenging, but she was determined to see it through.

Meanwhile, Alex continued to dream of food, his subconscious mind seeking comfort and sustenance in the face of the unknown. The warm, inviting images provided a temporary escape from the reality of his situation, allowing him to rest and gather strength for the days ahead.