The Villain's End Is Pregnancy - c102
At a time close to night, an unusual scene was unfolding in the kitchen. The prince, with both hands covered in flour, was kneading dough, and next to him, his omega fiancé was mixing various vegetables and minced meat.
And the cooks were curiously watching the two, along with a black cat.
“Now, we need to make this round and flat!”
Ryan, with an excited face, tore off a piece of the well-made dough without any lumps and swiftly rolled it with a rolling pin. Soon, a round circle the size of a palm was created.
He put the dumpling filling mixed with vegetables and meat inside, folded it in half, and then skillfully shaped it.
“This is how it should be done to make it look like the picture.”
“Interesting.”
Admiration flowed from Hendrick, who had been watching Ryan’s actions. The cooks watching the two felt the same way.
As three more dumplings were made in succession by Ryan’s hands, they even exclaimed “Wow” in admiration. They even asked if they could try it too.
“Ryan, is this the right way to do it?”
“Yes. That’s right. Fold it in half, yes, like that. Just fold it round like this.”
“Like this?”
“Yes. Press firmly in the middle. That’s right.”
With three people diving into the task, the dumplings quickly filled a wooden tray. As a result, the plan to steam them in a small pot was also modified, and they experienced twists and turns to change it to a large steamer.
“I wonder if it will taste good.”
Ryan muttered worriedly while watching the steam rising.
“It smells good, doesn’t it?”
“Really?”
Hendrick smiled and ruffled Ryan’s bangs. He lightly pressed his lips on Ryan’s forehead and nodded as he pulled away.
“Yes. I’m looking forward to what it will taste like.”
When he said that, Ryan felt the hunger he had temporarily forgotten rushing back. One of the cooks opened the steamer and took out a dumpling through the white steam.
Seeing the white and chewy appearance, Ryan swallowed his saliva.
“Is it cooked?”
The cook, who had difficulty determining the cooking status due to the unique shape no matter how he looked at it, turned to Ryan and asked.
“I’ll check.”
Ryan examined the dumpling on the plate. Judging by the color, it seemed cooked. He also checked inside the steamer and nodded.
“I think it’s fully cooked.”
“Then I’ll turn off the heat.”
“Okay.”
While answering, he picked up the dumpling on the plate with one hand.
“Ryan!”
Then Hendrick quickly approached with a surprised face and swiftly snatched it.
“Huh? Why?”
“What if you touch it carelessly? What if you burn your hand?”
“It’s not hot.”
He gave a look that said, “You’re holding it just fine too,” but Hendrick’s expression didn’t soften.
It seemed he judged it would be hot seeing the steaming dumpling.
“Still, be careful.”
He was about to apologize, but Hendrick was already holding Ryan’s hand that had been holding the dumpling, gently caressing and comforting it.
“Okay, I got it. I will.”
When Ryan answered obediently, Hendrick sighed and handed the dumpling back to him.
“How do you eat this? Judging by the size, do you have to cut it in half with a knife?”
“No. You can just pick it up with your hands and take a bite. Or you can put the whole thing in your mouth.”
Ryan purposely made it a good size to eat, so it didn’t matter how one ate it. Ryan first demonstrated by putting the dumpling in his hand into his mouth.
“Mmm…”
His eyes crinkled and his cheeks moved on their own. Ryan, whose shoulders were trembling, turned his gaze to Hendrick, who was staring at him intently.
Hendrick’s eyes sparkled with liveliness as if observing an interesting creature.
“Is it delicious?”
Nodding his head, Ryan reached out to pick up another warm dumpling from the steamer. It was to feed Hendrick as well.
“Wait a moment.”
But before Ryan’s hand could touch it, a long arm intervened and picked up the round dumpling, bringing it to his own mouth.
“Here.”
Ryan watched with expectant eyes, thinking Hendrick would eat it, but instead of eating, he blew on it to cool down the hot steam and then held it out to Ryan again.
“I was going to give it to you to eat.”
“You eat one more.”
At those words, Ryan eventually put the one in Hendrick’s hand into his mouth, chewed it, and swallowed. And before Hendrick could stop him, he picked up another one and brought it to Hendrick’s mouth.
“Now you eat it.”
“You eat one more.”
“I just ate now. Hurry. You asked if it was delicious, right? You have to eat it to know.”
If he found the food Ryan enjoyed delicious, that would be even better. As Ryan looked at him with that small wish, Hendrick couldn’t resist the passionate gaze and put the dumpling in his mouth.
“How is it?”
Ryan asked without taking his eyes off him for a moment, wondering if his expression would change.
“It’s delicious.”
“Right?”
As expected. Satisfied, Ryan generously shared the dumplings with the cooks and palace staff who had expectant eyes, no matter when they appeared.
The cat also wagged its tail as if asking for some, but Ryan refused, tapping its nose with his index finger, saying it couldn’t have any.
While doing so, he didn’t forget to set aside enough for himself and Hendrick to eat. The dumplings were delicious, but it felt even more special because they made and ate them together with everyone.
After eating until he was full, Ryan finally felt his eyelids getting heavy and noticed strong arms lifting him up as he nodded off.
He didn’t refuse and quickly snuggled into the arms, hearing a laugh from above his head.
“Ryan, are you sleepy?”
“Mmm.”
He buried his face in the broad embrace. As he smelled the warm heat, familiar scent, and his alpha’s pheromones, he felt a sense of stability.
“Okay. Then let’s go back now.”
His body swayed gently as if riding in a cradle. Ryan smiled in contentment and quickly fell asleep.
* * *
Three days later, Julian visited the palace as Hendrick had promised.
“Welcome, Julian.”
“Hello, Ryan. It’s been a while.”
Julian also greeted with a bright smile, then looked at Ryan’s face again and added.
“You seem to be doing well at the palace. You look even better than the last time I saw you.”
“Really?”
Ryan touched his own cheek with the back of his hand for no reason.
“I guess it’s because I’ve been staying comfortably at the palace for a few days.”
In fact, whenever he mentioned wanting to eat something, Hendrick would immediately grant his wish, so Ryan felt he had gained weight, but he couldn’t say that, so he answered appropriately.
“I see the prince is taking good care of you.”
But Julian, who was quick-witted, seemed to guess the unspoken words. Ryan just smiled brightly to affirm it.
“Congratulations on your marriage, Ryan.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Hearing congratulations from Julian, of all people, made him feel even more embarrassed for some reason. His gaze shifted to Ryan’s belly, and Ryan naturally lowered his eyes downward as well.
“You said you’re pregnant too. Double the joy.”
“Yes, somehow…”
He didn’t even know, but at some point, his hand was already on top of it, gently stroking it.
“I heard Julian also has a promised partner for marriage.”
“That’s right. Amy. She’s a long-time friend. We confirmed each other’s feelings not long after I inherited the estate.”
His softly smiling face was full of affection for his partner. While looking at that sight, Ryan recalled the content of the original work that he had forgotten.
The content that Julian also had a beta who had been with him since childhood, just like Hendrick and Ryan’s relationship.
‘There was a description that when Julian left the estate, the beta who saw him off looked at him with reddened eyes.’
At that time, Ryan had passed over that beta without much thought, but it seemed that beta was the person who had now become Julian’s partner.
Thinking that was interesting in itself, Ryan talked with Julian about this and that regarding marriage for a while.
“Then, shall we proceed with the contract now?”
After moistening his dry mouth with tea, Ryan naturally returned to the main topic. Julian also nodded with a smile.
“Shall we?”
Ryan took out the contract he had prepared in advance and placed it in front of Julian.
“You don’t know how surprised I was when I heard that Julian was the writer.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you earlier, Ryan. I wanted to surprise you when the printed copy was completed, but somehow it turned out like this.”
“Oh, no. Considering your situation, Julian, it was only natural. I just wanted to say that I’m even more delighted and excited to meet the writer in person like this and have it be you, Julian.”
“Thank you for saying that. Then, should I sign here?”
Julian quickly scanned the contract and moved the pen without hesitation.
“I look forward to working with you in the future, Ryan.”
“Thank you for readily agreeing to the contract.”
“It’s a good opportunity for me too. There were many shortcomings in relying only on handwritten copies, so I hope more people can access it through this opportunity.”
Agreeing with that point, Ryan nodded deeply.