Pregnancy Is Too Much For The Villain - C149.1

[Why go to such lengths?]

That day, Evener pushed various pieces of evidence towards Reynard, who was still looking at him with suspicious eyes, and said:

[If these pieces of evidence aren’t enough, I’ll put my life on the line too. This way, you’ll be able to trust me, right?]

“…You’ll… regret this…!”

It wasn’t even funny to try and threaten through a mouth foaming from unbearable pain, so Reynard just smiled, lifting one corner of his mouth, and dropped the tightly bound leg. Then he stood up again.

“I guess I was too kind.”

Crack!

“Argh!”

Reynard stomped on Clifton’s thigh where he had just treated the gunshot wound with his right foot. It didn’t seem like he used much force, but there was a sound of the large, thick femur shattering. The leg bent unnaturally in a direction it shouldn’t.

At that moment, the muddy ground began to shake somewhere, and the sound of horse hooves started to approach.

“…Don’t move!”

Reynard slowly turned his head, which had been looking at Clifton, to look behind him.

Dozens of policemen on common brown horses had surrounded them. Among them, at the back on horseback, was another figure shivering.

‘Roman Leopold…’

The Second Prince, Roman Leopold, had led the police here. Someone known for his timid personality wouldn’t have come here proactively… The coincidence of place and time was definitely not accidental. Reynard examined the arm patches of the police officers. They were civil servants belonging to the capital’s police department. It seemed that even while addicted to drugs, the alpha prince hadn’t completely lost his mind and had managed to make some moves.

‘This complicates things…’

It had become troublesome. It would have been better if they were imperial soldiers or private troops of the Third Prince like before. Enemies can simply be eliminated. But he couldn’t kill innocent capital police officers. Reynard let out a wry laugh at the unexpected situation.

“I guess this is what you were counting on?”

Reynard asked, pressing down a bit more on his thigh that he was stepping on. Now seemingly numb to the pain due to the morphine, Clifton grinned and laughed.

“It seems you initially planned to eliminate me and then use them as witnesses.”

“…Heheh. I thought it would be useful one way or another.”

With his face covered in mud and splattered blood, giggling as he spoke, it was truly pathetic. It was the sneer of someone who now thought himself the victor.

“Viscount Valkyries…! …You’re under arrest for attempted assassination of His Highness the Prince!”

The police officers dismounted and approached with guns drawn.

Reynard quietly raised both hands. And slowly moved away from Clifton.

The police, though looking frightened, seemed determined to fulfill their duty and quickly approached to handcuff Reynard, who was submitting to the arrest without resistance.

Thus, Reynard was taken away without a word and imprisoned in the cold dungeon beneath the imperial palace on charges of attempted murder of the prince.

A Traveler Walking the World

Valentin was sitting on a yellowish-brown rock, watching the sun set on the distant horizon.

Over the rocks, sand, and dry bushes that looked like rough bundles of thread from afar, the gray sky was gradually darkening. Even though the sun hadn’t fully set yet, a serene white moon gently revealed itself. Today, as if shy, it was only the size of a fingernail.

Valentin took out a bright oil pastel from his art box to finish the desert landscape he had been drawing.

“Valan-teen!”

“Fahod…!”

Valentin quickly put down the picture he was drawing and embraced the four-year-old boy who came running, calling his name. He was startled, fearing the child might fall as he climbed the rock with his whole body.

“I told you it’s dangerous to climb such high places alone…!”

Valentin spoke fluently in the local language, being proficient in various foreign languages. But perhaps whatever this white-faced, platinum-blonde angel said sounded sweet and beautiful. The child just grinned, showing his small, sparse teeth, despite Valentin’s worried exclamation.

“I won’t fall!”

He communicated immediately with Valentin through his bright smile and lisping speech.

Indeed, compared to the children of the noble families where Valentin had lived or the modern era of his previous life, the children here seemed to mature faster and take on adult roles earlier.

Perhaps it was the natural and early growth of people who had to survive in the midst of this harsh and desolate nature. Valentin brushed off the sand dust thickly coating Fahod’s dark hair and lifted the child more securely. Then he stood up and pointed to the desert horizon visible in the distance.

“Look, your father is coming back there, Fahod.”

He said, seeing a herd of camels moving in the distance. The young boy, still in Valentin’s arms, waved his hand enthusiastically even though he probably couldn’t see or hear his father. Valentin adjusted the child’s hat more neatly.

Fahod was the second son of the family with whom Valentin was currently staying.

A nomadic village living on the edge of a not-too-dry desert. They lived in traditional round houses called ‘yurts’ that looked like hats, and raised sheep. They also served as a midway rest stop for travelers and merchants passing through this Silk Road.

Up to this small child’s older brother, all the nomads worked hard every day, doing their share. Valentin, as a traveler and guest, couldn’t just sit idle, so his assigned role was to help look after the small children like this.

As the child explored Valentin’s hair and face with his small hands before hugging him tightly, Valentin hugged Fahod back just as tightly. Children… truly small and lovable beings.

The boy with his tanned skin and long eyelashes like a camel was adorable. Every time the child hugged him forcefully, Valentin felt something hot welling up in his heart. He felt affection in the strength with which the small being clung to him.

Reynard, if our daughter Sharon had been born and grown up without any problems, she probably would have been like this, right…?

Silently calling the name of the person who had now become a stranger, Valentin gazed into the void with a bitter expression. The vast nature containing the beauty of Earth as it was, and the sky covering everything above like a huge curtain. In front of all this, the small existence called humans is just weak, and because of that weakness, it’s also poignant and shines.

“Fahod, look over there. The sun is setting completely.”

Despite being the same sight every day, the spectacle of the sunset seen in the midst of this majestic nature was always beautiful. The subtle gradation unique to nature. The boy looked at Valentin’s pointing finger and laughed brightly, saying “Orange!” He remembered being taught that the orange color was called ‘orange’ in Valentin’s native language.

“The orange sun is going away, and now the dark night will come.”

“Then do we sleep now?”

“Yes, we sleep. So we can meet the sun again tomorrow.”

“Don’t wanna sleep.”

“But little ones need to sleep. That’s how you grow tall like your father.”

“Asif?”

The boy tilted his head and mentioned his omega father’s name. Valentin burst into laughter upon hearing this. This was because Asif, Valentin’s guide, was typically small in stature like a typical omega, though sturdy as befitting the survival-oriented people of this region.

“No, not Asif. Jamil. The one coming on the camel over there.”

When he mentioned the name of the child’s alpha father, the young leader of these nomads, Fahod nodded as if he understood. Indeed, Jamil was an alpha with a very large build and height.

“Your father will arrive before it gets completely dark. Let’s go down quickly too.”

The desert sunset was very fast. Perhaps because it was becoming winter, the temperature difference between day and night was also quite extreme. Valentin tightened the boy’s clothes, which were woven with colorful patterns, packed up his art supplies, and stood up from the rock. Then he returned to the yurt, following Fahod who moved even more swiftly than Valentin.

“Fahod! You brought Valentin back safely!”

Asif exclaimed as he saw Valentin and his son entering the nomad’s tent.

“You sent him to bring me back?”

He had clearly thought he was the one looking after the child, but when he came to his senses like this, it was the child who was looking after him, the foreigner. When Valentin asked with a surprised expression, Asif chuckled while busily laying out mats on the floor for dinner.

“If I hadn’t called, you would have been staring blankly at the sky like that endlessly.”

Staring blankly at the scenery while recalling painful memories was something Valentin did every day. Having spent several months together as a guide in this region, it seemed Asif had now fully understood Valentin. The guest’s white hands quickly moved to help spread the carpet while pouting.

“But I come back well when the sun sets.”

“You were about to miss dinner time again. And if you stay out blankly like that, you’ll catch a cold.”

Asif mentioned the increased temperature difference due to the season. Valentin was at a loss for words as he looked at his guide and now friend, an omega of the same age, who was so much more quick-witted and sharp compared to himself. He had nothing to say in response because it was all true.

The meal was prepared quickly.

A teapot filled with hot tea was placed on a carpet with intricate floral patterns unique to this cultural region, along with oven-baked bread that could be preserved for a long time, rice, vegetables, lamb, and dishes stir-fried with plenty of oil. Soon, Asif’s family members, who had finished their respective tasks, came in one by one and sat down in a circle.

“Don’t just eat bread, you need to eat meat too.”

As Asif handed him a small plate, Valentin momentarily held his breath.

“Uh…”

“What’s wrong? Is it strange?”

He looked as if to say ‘Didn’t you eat it well just a few days ago?’, but Valentin shook his head.

“I’m just going to eat bread today.”

Somehow, the lamb he usually ate well felt a bit nauseating today. Valentin quickly brought the fragrant tea to his lips and took a deep breath.

“You need to eat a balanced meal.”

[…Really?]

In times like these, what could be more ambiguous than an oath staking one’s life? It’s an opaque area that can’t be seen and is difficult to prove until the situation arises.

In fact, it didn’t make sense from the beginning. An Omega plotting the downfall of the Alpha they’ve imprinted on? Reynard pointed out that this would be tantamount to suicide. An imprinter who loses their imprinted subject is highly likely to suffer side effects and die.

If there were no more feelings of love left and the imprint broke, there would be no problem, but Evener, the Third Prince Consort, had been imprinted on his husband Clifton since he was a very young boy. Such a long-lasting one-sided imprint would have continuously caused physical changes.

[I intend to kill him. Then, there’s a high probability that you’ll die too.]

At Reynard’s words, he let out a brief, hollow and gloomy laugh, then threw something he had prepared in advance onto the table where the evidence was laid out.

What he produced was a paper containing a doctor’s diagnosis. Reynard picked it up and slowly scanned it. The paper, full of stiff words typical of professional documents and medical terms, pointed to just one thing.

Terminal illness.

Before Reynard could raise his eyes to face him after realizing the contents of the document, Evener began to loosen the thick cravat and shirt hem that had been covering his neck area.

[It’s thyroid cancer.]

The area under his jaw, below the left side of his neck that he showed by loosening his neckline, was abnormally swollen.

[I developed endocrine problems due to the side effects of long-term one-sided imprinting and the aftereffects of poisoning I unknowingly suffered by his side.]

[……]

[No, actually, that might not be the cause. But I want to believe it is. Because I need somewhere to direct my anger and love. How could I know the exact cause?]

Evener laughed weakly, emitting a fishy smell, and lowered his head. After being silent for a long time, he slowly opened his mouth. His face showed the regret of someone who had already given up on life.

[I’ve always envied Valentin since childhood. The angelic appearance that people admire, the outstanding qualities that I could never have no matter how hard I tried, receiving the love of the Empress, the way people looked at us both and always compared us in gossip…. This is something only those who have experienced it would understand. I always hated that child. I couldn’t forgive even being mentioned as His Majesty’s fiancé. Who would like someone whose name is bandied about as their lover’s fiancé?]

[……]

[I thought I wanted Valentin to be unhappy and a little miserable instead of being happy alone….]

He raised the back of his hand like a child to wipe away the tears that were flowing again.

[But I didn’t want this kind of situation…. Such a horrific thing…. And to think I called him out there at that time….]

Evener suddenly raised his head, which had been lowered while wiping his tears. Now his voice trembled with sobs.

[I know best how it feels to lose a child. I, who have gone through this terrible thing several times, know it well. Even losing a child that’s only two or three months old leaves a hole in your heart and makes you ache terribly!]

[……]

[Then how must it have felt to lose a fully grown child after giving birth….]

It was the face of someone tormented by guilt.

[So this is my atonement.]

[…Atonement?]

[I’m already in poor health due to frequent miscarriages and the side effects of one-sided imprinting. On top of that, I’ve contracted a serious illness. So I don’t have to hold back anymore. I’m going to atone and end this with my own hands.]

He meant that the Prince’s downfall was what he desired.

[There’s only one thing I want you to promise me. In exchange for me handing over these things.]

[What is it?]

[It’s…….]

The eyes of someone who had made up their mind long ago were boiling with revenge and a mixture of love and hate.

[Let me be the one to end his life at the very end.]

*

The Third Prince is ultimately receiving his just deserts.

To think that he’s a person who made his own spouse want to rush at him to kill him.

“I can’t let someone like you become the next ruler of the empire.”

“Ugh…”

“To tell you the truth, I didn’t start this with any grand conviction. You might feel wronged, Prince. Setting aside the fact that you’re a vile and worthless bastard.”

Clifton was now on the verge of losing consciousness from blood loss and pain. Reynard continued speaking, whether he heard or not. He muttered, as if talking to himself, about his loyal love that still persisted even after sending Valentin away.

“It’s simply because my partner wished for it. That alone is enough reason for you not to ascend to that position.”

Reynard watched as he foamed at the mouth and his eyes began to roll back, then put the gun back in its place. And from his breast pocket, he took out a small syringe.

“It’s morphine, Prince. Refined by New Poppin, which you’re so fond of. Don’t worry, as it’s extracted from that purple flower, its effects are quite extraordinary.”

The needle pierced Clifton’s thigh. It was done with the practiced skill of someone who might have done this often in the military.

“In any case, this is a collaboration and a promise, so it would be troublesome if you died here.”

Reynard tossed away the empty syringe after all the solution had been injected, and looked at the Prince’s still-bleeding thigh with indifferent eyes before tearing off the punctured pants.

“In the military, we do this in emergencies. Arm and leg gunshot wounds are often treated urgently on the battlefield. Because there isn’t always a medic available.”

After tearing both sides, Reynard inserted his fingers into the wound.

“Aaargh!”

The scream that erupted was fiercer than any before.

“How noisy.”

Reynard took off his glove and stuffed it into his dirty mouth. Although he had injected morphine, a powerful anesthetic, it would be troublesome if he bit his tongue from the pain before the drug took effect. It wasn’t over yet.

Ignoring Clifton, who was foaming at the mouth and writhing in pain through the glove stuffed in his mouth, Reynard continued what he was doing. He was deliberately inserting his fingers into the gunshot wound and stirring around to find the bullet.

“Well… It seems to have gone clean through.”

Looking at the blood-soaked hole in the flesh that had pierced through to the ground, a faint smile appeared that looked like a grim reaper risen from hell. This was the very image of Reynard, the notorious soldier on the battlefield, a side he had never shown to his beautiful husband Valentin. There was no humanity, mercy, or emotion in his expression as he faced his enemy.

It was grotesque how he carelessly threw down the left leg with its gaping hole, and then, quite impassively, began to probe the gunshot wound on the opposite leg. Clifton writhed in pain, the drug’s effects not yet fully kicking in.

“Ah, found it.”

His large fingers were soaked in blood up to the wrist. Reynard smiled pleasantly as he held up the mangled bullet.

“Now I’ll stop the bleeding for you.”

He took out some hemostatic powder from his pocket, sprinkled it on the wound, and mechanically wrapped it tightly with a tourniquet and military bandages used on the battlefield.

“Wake up, Prince. It’s inconvenient for you to die yet. If you faint here, wouldn’t it make a mockery of the alpha traits you claim to be so superior with?”

Indeed, if he were an ordinary beta, he might have died from shock or blood loss. But they were alphas. Alphas are the physically strongest life forms among humans on earth. It was normal not to die from injuries of this level. Reynard continued to treat the Prince with indifference, and a hint of mockery and disdain.

“You… you bastard…!”

“I’m surprised you still have the presence of mind to say such things. Yes, I’ll treat you as an alpha.”