The Villain's End Is Pregnancy - C113

But what Ryan wants to hear now is not about his honeymoon. Well, honestly, he was a bit curious about that too.

“Is there nothing else?”

At that, Hendrick raised his face again and met his gaze. He carefully examined Ryan and then tilted his head.

“Hmm?”

His expression showed he had no idea what Ryan meant.

“Really?”

“Well… Was there something I should have said?”

“Do you know that His Majesty came on the day of the ceremony?”

At that question, this time the handsome face frowned.

“You didn’t know?”

“I didn’t hear about it.”

That’s right. If so, it’s understandable that Hendrick didn’t even consider a completely different topic… No, it’s not.

“No matter what, how could you not even think about that? Hey! It’s more important than the honeymoon!”

It’s good that Hendrick considered staying outside the palace for Ryan’s sake. The enjoyment of traveling intimately with him can’t be ignored either.

However, the problem was his attitude of seemingly not even considering telling Ryan about something he should have informed him of long ago.

When Ryan finally shouted and fumed, Hendrick couldn’t hide his flustered expression and stood up.

“Ryan, calm down. Don’t get excited, it’s not good for your body.”

“You conspired with His Majesty to deceive me for the sake of my mental and physical stability?”

“With His Majesty what? Deceive you? Me? That’s not possible.”

“What do you mean it’s not possible! I heard it all! That you had already consulted with His Majesty before Liam reported me!”

Hendrick, who was about to say something, closed his lips again. Then he sighed deeply and folded his arms.

I don’t know why the deep furrow between his brows looks so hateful today. I didn’t like that I wanted to smooth it out either.

That’s why Ryan also clenched his fists tightly and glared at him.

“That… is already over, Ryan.”

“If that’s the case, why did you tell His Majesty to apologize to me? What was the reason you smiled like that when you came back from your audience with His Majesty that day? Do you know how I felt when I heard those words?”

“No, Ryan. I just…”

“Just what? If you’re going to say that His Majesty putting me in front of many nobles was wrong in itself and that’s why you told him to apologize, keep your mouth shut.”

As Ryan snapped, Hendrick pursed his lips as if swallowing words he was about to say. Why does that sight make me even angrier?

“Calm down, Ryan. Come on, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.”

While glaring at his alpha, he obediently followed his instructions. He took a deep breath, filling his chest and stomach, and then slowly released it through slightly parted lips. After repeating this a few times, his panting breath subsided, and the anger that had risen to the top of his head seemed to subside a bit too.

“Tell me properly. Without hiding anything.”

As he asked in a calmer tone than before, instead of an answer, a warm touch reached his hair. Unable to push it away, he just left it, and after smoothing his disheveled hair, Hendrick finally opened his mouth.

“How much did His Majesty say?”

He promptly relayed exactly what he had heard in response to the question. Liam’s suspicious movements, and even the request to protect him in case of any situation.

Hendrick then let out another long sigh.

“He really told you everything. If he came to apologize, he should have just apologized, why did he have to say such unnecessary things…”

“Of course he should have told me everything. I’m the one involved! You’re wrong for not telling me!”

“You’re right. Really, why does it seem like every plan I make these days gets exposed to you? From now on, I absolutely shouldn’t hide anything.”

Ryan was about to soften his heart at the face speaking with even the corners of his eyes drooping, but he deliberately raised his chin.

“I said it earlier, didn’t I? That trust is important between spouses. You’ve already made a big mistake with me. What if I end up not believing a single word you say because of this?”

“You’re right. That shouldn’t happen. To the person who will be by my side for the rest of my life.”

For life. Yes, we made such a declaration at the wedding. To the fathers of both families asking if we would live harmoniously together forever from now on.

“It may sound like an excuse, but I only spoke to His Majesty in advance because I wanted to resolve it in a way that would cause you as little harm as possible.”

“I know.”

That’s also what the king already said. However, what Ryan really wanted to hear from Hendrick wasn’t that.

“I’m sorry.”

As if he had finally noticed what Ryan was hoping for, Hendrick apologized while meeting his eyes. Ryan, still not relaxing his angry expression, asked coldly.

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes.”

“Then swear.”

“Tell me what you want.”

Without hesitation, he spoke to the gaze that seemed to say he would listen to anything.

“From now on, consult with me in advance about anything.”

“I will.”

Hendrick nodded immediately this time as well.

“Listen more.”

But Ryan had no intention of stopping there, so he added firmly.

“And you must absolutely follow what we’ve agreed upon after adjusting our differences. There will be no lies about that.”

“Hmm… Alright.”

This time, he looked suspiciously at Hendrick, who seemed to be considering a little.

“What is it, Hendrick? Don’t tell me you’ve decided to keep silent from the beginning without telling me anything at all?”

“No way, it’s not like that.”

“Then why did you hesitate just now?”

“I was just wondering if I should give you such a burden.”

“What do you mean by burden?”

“If it’s about future matters, it’s likely to include state affairs. Should I place such a burden on you?”

Just how far has this prince thought? Ryan sighed as he looked at his spouse, who was considering even beyond what he was asking of him.

“I don’t want that kind of thing, you know?”

“I know. But if you want to do something, I’d like you to do what you want without necessarily going through me.”

Is this what they call ‘like father, like son’? Ryan recalled the king saying similar words and shook his head.

“Never mind. I don’t want to be involved in that complicated, chaotic, daily back-biting stuff!”

Just imagining it made Ryan shudder. Mistaking this for feeling cold, Hendrick brought a blanket and covered him.

“I don’t want to see you getting entangled with the nobles either.”

“Gasp! Really? It’s not just verbal fights?”

“Of course. They’re uncivilized brutes who insist they’re right and even resort to fistfights when they can’t get their way.”

Isn’t that the kind of behavior you’d see from politicians? Honestly, it was hard to believe that nobles, who think they’re noble to the bone, would act like that.

However, seeing Hendrick’s disgusted expression every time he returned from council meetings attended by nobles, it didn’t seem entirely wrong either.

“Do whatever you want. Whether it’s creating movable type, spreading printed books widely, or teaching commoners to read with them.”

“Oh? You knew?”

Ryan looked at Hendrick with round eyes. Instead of an answer, a gentle touch returned.

“Ah, I’m embarrassed. I haven’t really thought about anything specific yet.”

While averting his eyes, he gently pulled the hand caressing him and interlocked their fingers. As he confessed, Ryan hasn’t made any concrete plans yet either.

He just thought that if movable type printing technology became widespread, there might be an easier way to teach letters to commoners.

“It’s just that when I heard Marquis Carrigan say what’s the need for such things for ignorant commoners, I started thinking. We can print in large quantities anyway. So I thought it might be good to create basic textbooks.”

Why did it take 300 years for the advanced movable type technology to flourish only at the edge of the continent after its invention?

It was because of the privileged class who monopolized writing as power. Ryan didn’t want the technology he had introduced to the world to be limited in such a way. Nor did he want only a select few to enjoy good books.

“Yes, that kind of thing. Consult with me about those things you’re considering.”

“Sigh… Hey, I might end up on His Majesty’s bad side because of this. What about the nobles’ opposition?”

Even now, he knows that every meeting is noisy because of the proposals he’s put forward.

“What does it matter? I support you.”

As if to say who would dare stop him. Watching his alpha act like an arrogant ultra-alpha again, a smile crept across his face.

Clearly, the conversation started with the intention of questioning Hendrick, but in the end, it ends with realizing his thoughtful intentions.

Just as it always has.

“Do as you wish.”

And because that makes his heart flutter again, Ryan spoke as if grumbling but still broke into a smile.

The topic of their private conversation on this day would become the origin of the Royal School, which Hendrick would eventually establish after persistent opposition from the nobles when he ascended to the throne in the distant future.

However, for now, it passed quietly, considered just as Ryan’s modest wish.