After the check up:

As Alex stepped futher into the estate, he was met by Onsel, the butler of the Duke's household. Onsel cut an imposing figure, his dragon heritage subtly hinted at by the faint glint of scales beneath his human guise. Despite his intimidating appearance, Onsel was renowned for his unwavering loyalty and gentle demeanor, serving as a trusted confidant to both the Duke and his guests.

"Welcome back, Master Alex," Onsel greeted with a respectful nod, his deep voice echoing through the grand hallway. "The Duke has instructed me to ensure your comfort and well-being during your stay. If there is anything you require, please do not hesitate to ask."

Alex nodded appreciatively, grateful for the warm welcome. "Thank you. I appreciate your assistance."

Onsel inclined his head in acknowledgment. "It is my pleasure, Master Alex. If you would follow me, I will show you to your quarters. Dinner will be served shortly, and I'm sure you'll appreciate some time to rest after your journey."

With that, Onsel turned and gestured for Alex to follow him, leading the way through the elegant halls of the estate. Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the grandeur surrounding him, knowing he was about to embark on a new chapter of his life under the Duke's care.

As a small dragon flung itself at Onsel, the butler's imposing stature remained unshaken. He gently caught the young dragon in his arms, his expression softening as he addressed the creature.

"Your Highness, did you sneak out again?" Onsel inquired with a hint of amusement in his tone, his deep voice resonating through the grand hallway.

The young dragon chirped excitedly, squirming in Onsel's grasp before settling down. Its scales shimmered in the dim light, reflecting the warmth of the estate surroundings. It then complained that its parents were busy, so it came to Duke's house, wondering where its grandmother was. 

The small dragon was the second child of the Duke´s older sister, she married the king and had five babies, three male and two female. The dragon in front of Onsel was one of them.

Onsel chuckled softly at the small dragon's complaint, understanding the curiosity and restlessness that often accompanied youth.

"Your grandmother is currently attending to her duties, Your Highness," Onsel replied, his tone gentle yet firm. "But I assure you, she will be delighted to see you later."

The young dragon huffed slightly but seemed to accept Onsel's explanation. It wriggled in his arms, its eyes bright with curiosity as it surveyed its surroundings.

As they continued down the hallway, Onsel glanced at Alex with a knowing smile. "Our young prince is quite adventurous, as you can see," he remarked, his voice filled with fondness for the spirited creature in his arms.

Alex nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth at the sight of the young dragon, sensing a bond forming between them despite their brief encounter.

As they made their way towards the young dragon's chambers, Onsel's steps echoing through the grand hallway, suddenly, another dragon baby leaped towards Onsel. The sudden movement caught Alex off guard, causing him to startle and almost lose his balance.

Onsel however reacted swiftly and smoothly adjusting his hold on the first dragon while reaching out to catch the second one mid air. His movements were graceful yet firm, ensuring both dragon babies were safely cradled in his arms.

"Steady there, Master Alex," Onsel said calmly, his voice reassuring as he steadied Alex with a gentle hand. "No need to worry. These young ones can be quite spirited at times."

Alex took a deep breath, his heart still racing from the sudden surprise. He glanced at the two dragon babies in Onsel's arms, marveling at their energy and exuberance.

"I suppose they take after their parents," Alex remarked with a nervous chuckle, trying to regain his composure.

Onsel chuckled softly in agreement, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Indeed they do, Master Alex. But rest assured, they mean no harm."

With that, Onsel continued on their way, Alex following closely behind. Despite the momentary fright, Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the butler's calm demeanor and skill in handling the mischievous dragon babies.

Only to be later surprised by a third one; it ran to Alex's feet and said, "Onkel, help! My sisters want to dress me up as a princess!"

The other two dragons laughed, "That's not Onkel, but he does smell like him though." Later, the small dragon looked up, seemingly shocked by Alex's presence, but then continued with a request, "Can you hug me?" with a hopeful look. 

As the other two dragons approached, their laughter fading into curious gazes, Alex offered them a warm smile. Sensing their uncertainty, he extended his arms, inviting them into the embrace as well. With a cautious approach, the dragons hesitantly joined the hug, their small forms fitting snugly against Alex's chest.

In that shared moment of closeness, a sense of warmth and acceptance enveloped them, forging a newfound kinship among them. The barriers between human and dragon seemed to melt away, replaced by a bond built on trust and understanding.

Meanwhile, Onsel, ever watchful, approached with a gentle reminder. "During pregnancy, it's best not to lift heavy or rowdy children," he advised Alex softly, his tone carrying a hint of concern.

Alex nodded in acknowledgment, grateful for Onsel's guidance. With a reassuring smile, he carefully lowered the dragon babies to the ground, ensuring their safety before gently patting their heads.

"Thank you, Onsel," Alex said gratefully, his voice filled with appreciation. "I'll keep that in mind."

With a nod, Onsel returned the smile, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of care and dedication. Together, they watched over the young dragons, their bond strengthened by moments like these, where guidance and compassion intertwined to create a sense of family within the walls of the Duke's estate.

As they stood before a door, Onsel continued, "These are your chambers now. Let's escort you to the dining hall."

As Alex followed Onsel, he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the butler's guidance and support. Walking through the corridors of the estate, he felt the weight of history in the grandeur of the surroundings, yet there was also a warmth that seemed to permeate the air a feeling of belonging.

Upon reaching the dining hall, Alex noticed two women seated at the table, their elegant attire complementing the regal atmosphere of the room. Beside them sat two young girls, their faces alight with curiosity and excitement. Alex's heart swelled with a sense of wonder as he realized the depth of the family bond that surrounded him.

Onsel approached the table with a respectful bow. "My ladies, Master Alex has arrived," he announced, his voice carrying a tone of deference.

The women turned their attention towards Alex, offering welcoming smiles that put him at ease. "Welcome, Master Alex," one of the women said warmly. "We're delighted to have you join us."

Alex returned the smile, feeling a sense of warmth wash over him. "Thank you," he replied sincerely. "It's an honor to be here."

The first woman introduced herself, saying, "I am the Duke's mother. You can call me Mother from now on. Secretary Lin told me the whole story."

Alex nodded respectfully. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mother," he said with a polite smile.

Mother returned the smile, her eyes twinkling with kindness. "The pleasure is mine, Alex. We've heard so much about you already," she said warmly.

Beside Mother, the second woman leaned forward, extending her hand. "And I am the Duke's sister, Amelia," she introduced herself with a warm smile. "Welcome to our family, Alex."

With that, the baby dragons ran up to her and said, "Mom."

Amelia's eyes widened in surprise, her smile growing even warmer as she looked down at the young dragons. She knelt down to their level, opening her arms wide. "Oh, my darlings," she exclaimed, her voice filled with affection.

The baby dragons chirped excitedly, nuzzling against Amelia with evident affection. In that moment, it was as if they had found a maternal figure to shower them with love and care.

Alex watched the heartwarming scene unfold with a smile, feeling a sense of warmth and acceptance wash over him. In this family, even the most unexpected bonds were cherished and celebrated ,a testament to the love that bound them together.

Amelia then looked at Alex and gestured towards the empty seat beside her. "Come, sit. You need to eat a lot, or those babies might complain," she said with a playful glint in her eyes.

Alex chuckled at her remark, feeling a sense of warmth and inclusion. He took the offered seat, grateful for the opportunity to share a meal with his newfound family.

As they enjoyed the delicious spread laid out before them, laughter and conversation filled the air ,surrounded by nice people who welcomed him with open arms.

Throughout the meal, the baby dragons nestled close to Amelia, their playful antics bringing smiles to everyone's faces. It was a moment of joy and camaraderie, a glimpse into the life that awaits Alex in the Duke's estate.

As the evening wore on and the meal came to an end, Alex couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the warmth and hospitality shown to him by Amelia and the rest of the family.

Amelia stood up, gently gathering the two small girls and the three baby dragons close to her. With a smile, she turned to her mother and Alex, expressing her thanks for the lovely evening. "Thank you, Mother, Alex," she said warmly. "It's been wonderful spending time with you all."

The other Woman nodded, her eyes soft with affection. "Take care, dear." she replied, reaching out to give Amelia a hug.

Alex also stood, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of saying goodbye so soon. "Thank you,  Amelia, for your hospitality," he said sincerely. "I hope to see you again soon."

Amelia returned his sentiment with a warm smile before turning to leave, the children and baby dragons. As she departed, Secretary Lin entered the dining hall, addressing Mother with a respectful nod.

"Your Ladyship, everything is prepared. Doctor Su has also settled in," Secretary Lin informed, her tone professional yet warm. "You also received a call from the Duke."

Mother nodded, acknowledging the information. "Thank you, Lin. Please inform the Duke that I will return his call shortly," she replied calmly.

Secretary Lin nodded in response before excusing herself from the room to attend to her duties. As Mother and Alex remained in the dining hall, a sense of anticipation filled the air, hinting at the events that were about to unfold in the Duke's household. 

 The Mother of the Duke smiled warmly at Alex, her gaze filled with genuine concern. "I heard you are pregnant with more than one. How are you holding up? If you have any pains, immediately press this button," she said, handing him a small, discreet device.

Alex accepted the device gratefully, touched by the Mother's thoughtfulness. "Thank you, Your Ladyship. I'm managing well so far, but I appreciate your concern," he replied, his voice sincere.

Mother nodded, her expression filled with compassion. "Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything. We're all here to support you," she reassured him, her maternal instincts shining through. Then, she turned to answer the call from the Duke.

As the Duke appeared on the screen, his appearance startled Alex. The Duke was covered in blood from top to bottom, a sight that sent a shiver down Alex's spine. Before he could react, Mother spoke softly, her voice calming his fears.

"You had an attack, and your enemies died brutally. It seems," she said, her tone steady despite the alarming news. The Duke's response was unexpected as he turned to Mother with a sheepish expression.

"I'm not that brutal. I kept hostages," the Duke explained, attempting to downplay the severity of the situation.

Alex listened, his mind reeling from the sudden turn of events. Despite the reassurances, he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. It was a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked beyond the safety of the Duke's estate, a reality he couldn't afford to ignore.

Then, the Duke turned to Alex, his expression apologetic. "I'm sorry our date ended like this. Don't worry, I'll be home in three months," he assured Alex, his tone carrying a mix of regret and determination.

Alex nodded, though concern still etched on his features. "Take care of yourself," he replied softly, his voice filled with genuine worry.

As the call ended, Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation for the Duke's safety. He knew that the next three months would be filled with uncertainty, but he also knew that he would do whatever it took to ensure the Duke's safe return home.

However, who would have thought that the news of her becoming a grandmother through her only son would change her into a whole new person?

Upon learning that Alex, the Duke's partner, was expecting, the Duchess experienced a profound transformation. The prospect of welcoming a grandchild reignited a spark of hope and joy within her, cutting through the fog of her grief and mental struggles. It was as if the promise of new life brought with it a renewed sense of purpose and clarity.

The Duchess, ever attentive to Alex's well-being, sometimes took him outside for sightseeing, believing that the fresh air and change of scenery would help reduce his stress. These outings became cherished moments for Alex, offering him a chance to relax and enjoy the beauty of the estate's surroundings. The serene landscapes and gentle walks provided a welcome respite from the anxieties of his pregnancy and the uncertainties of war.

Alex's belly had grown significantly, indicating that he might be carrying more than one baby dragon. This realization added a layer of excitement and anticipation to his journey.