[Regifortis]

"I won't lie and say I don't wish vengeance," Tobias rebutted more peaceably. "But if you're going to punish them, please be thoughtful about it. The highborne get priority with food and supplies. Not to mention they can just import food. If you rot their crops, it's the poor that will suffer. And they're not in the wrong here. If you honestly get angry enough to punish innocent people along with guilty ones, then I would say you need an advisor."

Tobias had to think carefully here. He placed his hands on his pregnant belly to calm himself. He had unintentionally ruined a pleasant moment. And his King's fury was no joke. He had to put what he learned all those years ago to the test: he had to compromise. "If we are to destroy a queendom, let's destroy the soul of it and not the body. The impoverished masses of that place suffer from the selfish leadership. If the King of Dragons were to lead them in a revolt, they could destroy the institution that harms so many people. A new nation could be born. And they could remember how dragons ruled the world long ago. Perhaps..."

Sweet and surprising sentiment spun from his lips. "Perhaps when our children are born, they can expect playmates of their own among the enlightened people. I can give birth to a new generation, but the ones after that still need to be considered. It's a fine plan," Tobias stated with finality, his voice dipping lower into his baritone than usual. He gestured for the King to come back to him and embrace him, sticking the treasure back into himself. "If you cannot be happy, then let's make our future children happy. And so many miserable people. Am I not reasonable? Are you not a father of nations at heart?" He pressed Marcus's hand into his stomach. "Please...?"