The Villain's End Is Pregnancy - c105
Even three days before the wedding, bloody fights broke out every day at the state affairs meetings.
This was not something Ryan witnessed directly, but he learned about it from Hendrick, who visited him from time to time despite his busy schedule.
“What’s wrong with the nobles?”
The most contentious issue these days was the dispute between the high aristocrats, including Viscount Garigan, and the emerging nobles under their influence.
“You know that Viscount Dilane and those young nobles on his side succeeded in making a deal with the royal family, right?”
“Yes, I know.”
Ryan immediately nodded at Hendrick’s question. A few days ago, Julian had visited the palace with a plethora of gifts and valuables to be used for the ceremony.
He had also jokingly asked Ryan to make sure to meet him whenever he visited the palace in the future. That meant Julian would continue to trade directly.
“Because of that, lower-class nobles in other regions also want to contact the royal family instead of the high aristocrats, which is causing problems.”
“Ah… Then it wouldn’t be welcome news for the high aristocrats who profited as intermediaries.”
As far as Ryan knew, this method was good news for the king.
It would be a good opportunity to strengthen the royal authority.
Until now, the high aristocrats paid the tax revenue collected from various territories to the king, so their power over their subordinates was stronger.
So the king and the nobles maintained a balance. However, by trading directly with the royal family instead of the high aristocrats, their wealth and power would weaken, so it was natural for the high aristocrats to oppose it.
“That’s right. They’re throwing tantrums, finding fault with this and that, telling us not to grant them an audience.”
It seemed they were confronting each other over their respective interests, but Hendrick spoke of the high aristocrats as if they were whining children.
Well, it wasn’t wrong, but…
“Then what does His Majesty think?”
“He said both sides have a point and aren’t entirely wrong, so he left it to me to coordinate well.”
“You’ve been tasked with a headache-inducing job.”
Ryan looked at Hendrick with pity. The king must have meant for the prince, who would rule the country in the future, to learn how politics worked through this opportunity.
It was clear that it wouldn’t be resolved quickly and that he would suffer in the future. However, Hendrick himself didn’t seem to have much concern.
“They won’t be able to strongly oppose His Majesty anyway, so it’s fine. And it would be good to take this opportunity to utilize the information gathered so far and settle things.”
He had the attitude of suppressing the high aristocrats using that problem as a weapon if necessary. At first glance, it might sound somewhat arrogant, but perhaps because it was Hendrick…
Somehow, Ryan had a strong belief that if it was him, he would do well in anything. In fact, wasn’t it Hendrick who had easily dealt with Count Seiden recently?
As if sensing who Ryan was thinking of, Hendrick brought up the name he had forgotten.
“Come to think of it, I heard Liam Seiden was exiled abroad today.”
“Oh, was that today?”
Ryan had also heard the news. However, he made a surprised face as he didn’t know the exact date.
“Yes, early in the morning.”
“I see…”
Somehow, his mouth tasted bitter. Wasn’t it a relationship they had since childhood? Moreover, it seemed like he was following the exact same path that the past Ryan had experienced in the original story, which made him feel strange.
“Don’t pity him, Ryan. He’s receiving the punishment he deserves for his sins.”
As if to comfort him, Hendrick stroked Ryan’s hair. Unable to reveal the truth, Ryan meekly nodded.
“Yeah, I know.”
After that, they had various small conversations. From time to time, Hendrick would talk to him, saying he needed to get friendly with the baby, or put his ear on Ryan’s belly, caressing it with his hand, making Ryan feel embarrassed, but it was still okay.
“Your Highness, please excuse me for a moment.”
In the midst of their sweet conversations, Peter entered rather urgently.
“What is it?”
“I have been informed that the whereabouts of Count Seiden, who was under house arrest, have become uncertain.”
At the sudden mention of a familiar name, Ryan also turned his head towards Peter.
“Count Seiden? When?”
When Hendrick asked, Peter immediately answered.
“According to a witness statement that the lights in the count’s room were on until dawn, it seems he disappeared sometime after that.”
Count Seiden had recently had most of his assets confiscated by the state treasury and had returned to his territory, barely maintaining his title.
Because of that, there were rumors that his wife had taken their youngest omega son and left for her family home, leaving him a bachelor.
On top of that, his son Liam Seiden had been imposed a huge fine, which he also had to pay.
If his whereabouts were uncertain in this situation, there was a high possibility that he had fled. Or he might have gone to see his exiled son.
‘He doesn’t seem to have that much paternal love though.’
In any case, it was clear that the prince needed to look into it right away.
“Go ahead.”
Ryan urged Hendrick to go quickly.
“I’ll be back soon. You rest in the meantime.”
“Okay.”
Hendrick caressed Ryan’s cheeks and around his ears with his hand, then quickly came to his senses and pulled away. Seeing him about to disappear at any moment, Ryan couldn’t resist the longing and quickly followed behind him.
He wanted to see him off at least to the palace entrance.
“It’s okay, stay here.”
However, before he could take a step, Hendrick sat him back down on the chair. Then he looked at Peter and ordered.
“Peter, just in case, further strengthen the security around the palace.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I will immediately deploy the knights.”
As Ryan watched Peter answer and disappear right away, he made a puzzled expression.
“It’s just in case. Don’t worry and rest.”
Hendrick left after saying just that, without resolving the question. Left alone, Ryan pondered for a while and belatedly realized the reason why Hendrick had told them to strengthen security.
“He’s worried that Count Seiden might do something.”
But it didn’t seem like he would enter the royal palace, which already had tight security. Ryan thought that Hendrick had an exaggerated side to him and let out a long yawn.
After having lunch and enjoying some refreshments, his body felt languid. Now his belly was bulging to the extent that it could barely be hidden even with several layers of clothes. Perhaps because of that, his sleeping hours had increased, and taking a nap for a few hours in the afternoon had become a routine.
Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Ryan climbed onto Hendrick’s bed and quickly fell asleep. And for the first time in a while, he had a dream. It was a dream of taking a walk with Hendrick in the garden of the forbidden palace, no, the palace where he would reside in the future.
To be precise, in Hendrick’s arms, with a gentle expression, was a tiny baby. With black hair resembling Ryan and green eyes resembling Hendrick, the baby had a lovely appearance.
The sight of the baby wriggling its small hands and smiling was so cute that it was hard to take his eyes off. As his consciousness slowly awakened, he felt reluctant to let go of this warm moment.
As soon as he woke up, he rubbed his head against the pillow on Hendrick’s bed, which had become as familiar as his own, and turned his head, but it was pitch dark.
“How long did I sleep?”
Somehow, his naps seemed to be getting longer. At this rate, there would be more than enough time for Hendrick to return.
He sat up with a disheveled appearance, and as if sensing the movement, there was a knock on the door and Peter entered.
“Ryan, are you awake?”
“Yes. Peter. Where’s Hendrick?”
Ryan asked for his alpha in a voice still laced with sleepiness.
“He hasn’t returned yet.”
“Really?”
It would have been nice to tell him about the dream. Clicking his tongue, he was about to get out of bed, but Peter’s business didn’t end there.
“And Lady Hadi is waiting in the reception room.”
“Catherine?”
At the mention of Catherine’s presence, Ryan hurried down to the floor even more.
“Since when?”
“For a while.”
He became even more anxious. Although they hadn’t set an exact time, he could guess that she had been waiting for more than a few minutes.
After changing his clothes and hastily entering the reception room, a welcome face greeted him. Ryan also brightened up and approached her.
“Catherine!”
“Ryan, my dear. It’s been a really long time.”
“Yeah, it has. What brings you here?”
“What, do I need a special reason to see you?”
“No, it’s not that. I’m just happy to see you.”
Ryan said that and quickly approached her, embracing her. Catherine also patted her brother’s back and smiled.
“I thought you were all grown up, but you still have a long way to go.”
“I guess so… But really, what’s the matter?”
“I was wondering if you’d like to have a meal together tomorrow, if that’s okay with you. The ceremony is not too far away now.”
At her suggestion to have a last family meal together, Ryan nodded without hesitation.