The Villain's End Is Pregnancy - c31
Ryan, who woke up with a bird’s nest on his head, washed his face with the water brought by the servant and lazily had breakfast in his bedroom before preparing to go out.
“Alright! Let’s go crush him.”
However, he couldn’t go straight to the palace.
“Where are you going, baby?”
Just as he left the bedroom, he ran into Catherine walking down the hallway.
“Oh, Catherine, you’re here? I’m on my way to the palace!”
“To see the prince?”
“Yeah.”
“But you’re going in that outfit?”
Catherine looked Ryan up and down. Ryan took slow steps backward, feeling like he had experienced this situation somewhere before.
“Absolutely not!”
However, the escape failed. Because Catherine snatched Ryan’s wrist like a cat catching a butterfly.
The place he was dragged to was none other than the dressing room.
“Usually, no one cared much about what I wore or where I went, but why are they like this these days?”
Ryan, who was able to barely get on the carriage after nearly an hour of suffering, let out a deep sigh. His face, resting his chin on his arm on the window frame, was filled with fatigue.
“Why do you think? It’s because Hendrick said something strange yesterday.”
Of all things, he had to bring up in detail what happened with me in front of the king and father, so isn’t he severely misunderstanding the situation?
“This guy. I really won’t let him off.”
He made that resolution, but not long after arriving at Hendrick’s palace, he was greeted by Peter, who had an apologetic face.
“His Highness has work to handle, so he is scheduled to stay at the central palace all morning.”
Ryan knew that after the coming-of-age party, the king had called Hendrick to observe the government affairs meeting or assign him tasks one by one.
But it seemed today was the day for that.
“The whole morning?”
“Yes. He said he’s not sure if he can return in the afternoon if the schedule gets longer.”
This was truly a day of misfortune.
“I see. Then I’ll go back for today.”
Just as Ryan was about to turn around saying that.
“Ah, Sir Ryan. His Highness ordered me to guide you to the bedroom if you came.”
Ryan, who was halfway turned around, looked back at Peter with a speed that made a swoosh sound.
“Wha, what? Bedroom?”
“Yes. He said you would want to appreciate the paintings in the bedroom.”
No, then you should have said it accurately from the beginning! Why do you omit words in the middle and surprise people?
Ryan hoped his face didn’t turn red.
“Well, it’s not that I really want to…”
Ryan was already completely facing forward when he said that. A bright smile hung on Peter’s face.
“Since you’ve come all the way here, you should see the paintings too.”
“I don’t feel like casually entering a room without the owner either…”
“It’s fine since it’s something His Highness permitted.”
“Hmm… Then, should I?”
Peter, who noticed that Ryan’s mind had completely tilted, brought out more things to draw his interest.
“The cat was sitting alone by the window. Spend time with the cat and read the unfinished books.”
“Ah, kitty. It must be lonely being alone.”
Ryan imagined the cat lying curled up on the window sill, looking lonely.
“Then, Sir Ryan. I will guide you to the bedroom.”
Peter, who judged that Ryan had completely fallen for it, started moving right away without further delay. Ryan also followed behind him like a pet cat lured by delicious treats.
The place they moved to was the 3rd floor, which he had never been to while going in and out of the palace.
This floor was solely the prince’s private space, with only the bedroom, dressing room, and bathroom he used, so no one could come up unless permitted.
Even after coming up, the only space allowed for outsiders was the hallway. Of course, even that exuded a tremendously luxurious and high-class atmosphere.
“Wow…”
As soon as he entered the bedroom at the deepest part of the 3rd floor, admiration burst out of Ryan’s mouth. The space was divided into interior and exterior, and a huge painting was hanging right next to the door leading inside.
“It looks three times bigger than the one in the art gallery.”
It was the artwork Ryan wanted to see, and amazingly, it took up an entire wall.
“Yes. It’s a very wonderful painting, isn’t it?”
Peter had every reason to brag. It was not only magnificent, but perhaps because the size was enlarged, parts that weren’t visible when exhibited were also clearly revealed.
Especially the shading expressing the figures, the shadows cast on objects, and the light filling the background were so vivid that it created the illusion of seeing an actual scene.
Peter quietly stood behind, not disturbing Ryan, who was approaching as if absorbed in the painting. He had no intention of interfering, and he had also been sternly warned by Hendrick.
‘At least have him eat until lunch.’
He could have just told him to hold him until he came. Telling him to take care of meals. Recently, Hendrick often showed the impulsiveness of his age, making Peter’s face bloom with more smiles.
Even if the prince didn’t ask, he had no intention of letting Ryan go back right away.
“Sir Ryan, there is a rare sea tea brought in from the southern city today, so I will prepare it with blueberry roll cookies.”
At the mention of the southern city, Ryan naturally thought of Julian.
“Is it a tribute from d’Laine?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Peter had a look asking how he knew. Ryan also had another thought as soon as his guess was confirmed.
‘Then, the reason Hendrick went to the central palace was to meet Julian!’
According to the original story, to meet at the palace. Although their first meeting ended up being on the street by chance, this time it would be a historic moment anyway.
‘As expected, destined partners somehow end up connected!’
My heart is pounding a bit. Ryan put his hand on his chest. Thump. Thump. The heartbeat was fully transmitted to the palm.
That reaction was probably from anticipating their meeting.
“Ahem. Sir Ryan.”
Peter carefully called out to Ryan, who was happily appreciating the painting, clearing his throat so as not to disturb him. The eyes that turned around were wide open.
“Oh my. You were concentrating on appreciating, I apologize for interrupting. I have prepared refreshments here. Please have some while appreciating.”
Ryan, who had been surprised by the voice while thinking deeply about what Hendrick and Julian’s meeting would be like, not the painting, quickly fixed his expression.
“Ah, Peter. Thank you. But I’ve pretty much seen it all. I was about to move to the study now.”
“I see. Is it alright if you don’t look further?”
“I think this much is enough.”
Since he had already seen it once anyway, Ryan shook his head, thinking there was no need to spend more time.
Then he felt a subtle refreshing scent lingering in the air.
‘It must be Hendrick’s pheromones.’
Hendrick usually strictly controlled himself, so there were hardly any occasions to detect his pheromones. It seemed they remained like this because he probably didn’t pay much attention in a comfortable space he used alone. Then, without realizing it, his interest shifted elsewhere.
‘What would the bedroom look like?’
He glanced at Peter, and he happened to be instructing the attendant without looking this way. Ryan slowly moved his steps and approached the door leading inside.
Soon the interior came into view.
‘It’s spacious and quite empty.’
Ryan’s room was decorated with all sorts of furniture and objects. There were things he bought, but there were also plenty of gifts from Count and Countess Fitzroy, Catherine, and Edgar.
In comparison, the bedroom Hendrick used only had a single bed, making the already wide space feel even more empty.
‘At least the bed also shows the floor.’
Just as Ryan, who thought that if he tried to hide under the bed for hide-and-seek, his head and legs would all be visible, was about to turn around.
“Shall we go now?”
“Yes.”
It’s good to leave, but why is Peter smiling that incomprehensible smile again? Ryan had questions about the expression he frequently discovered around him and Hendrick lately.
The worry evaporated as soon as he entered the study and saw the black and cute cat that came into view.
“Kitty!”
The cat was precisely sitting by the window basking in the sun. Its triangular ears perked up as if it heard Ryan calling. The fluffy fur rose in the bright light.
The corners of Ryan’s mouth also slightly rose. As he approached while making eye contact, the cat’s long tail swayed gently.
It was a greeting saying you came.
“Yeah, I’m happy to see you too.”
Ryan also smiled in response and approached close to scoop up the small body. Then the tail tickled his neck.
Feeling good, Ryan entered the study, laughing out loud.
Sitting at the desk with the cat on his lap, sweet and savory snacks filled one side as he opened a book.
Suddenly, he had a thought. That reading here seemed more enjoyable and comfortable than in his own study.
Was it because of that? His eyelids felt strangely heavy. The strength left his arm placed on the desk, and the book he was holding fell with a thud.
Eventually, Ryan rested his forehead on the book he had managed to close and fell asleep, exhaling steady breaths.
Not long after, the closed door of the study opened.