The Villain's End Is Pregnancy - c32
As Ryan’s sunken consciousness slowly returned, the first thing he noticed was the sensation of someone stroking his hair.
‘Who is it?’
He wanted to see who it was, but his eyelids felt so heavy. After fluttering them several times, he finally managed to open his eyes. And what he saw in his field of vision was shiny black fur.
“…Fur?”
“Are you awake?”
At the same time as Ryan muttered his question in a daze, a kind and familiar voice came from somewhere. Soon, the black fur moved and round, dark eyes appeared.
Only then did Ryan realize that what had been touching his head was a cat.
As their black eyes met, the cat meowed and nimbly jumped down. That’s when Ryan realized he had fallen asleep using a book as a pillow.
Turning his eyes, he saw Hendrick sitting upright on the sofa.
“When did you come?”
“Not long ago.”
“…You should have woken me up.”
Even if he just arrived, showing him this unguarded side… just like last time in the carriage. Lately, he seemed to be revealing his vulnerable side to Hendrick a lot, which was embarrassing.
Worried he might have drooled, Ryan peeked at the book he had been sleeping on and secretly wiped the corners of his mouth with the back of his hand, but fortunately there was nothing there.
“I was going to, but Kiki moved first.”
“Ah…”
At those words, his gaze shifted to the cat sitting with its tail curled at his feet. It seemed this creature wasn’t happy that its master had come back only to find Ryan deep in sleep, so it decided to wake him up instead.
“You irksome little thing. I put you on my lap because I thought you’d be lonely and even gave you treats.”
When Ryan tapped the tip of his nose with his index finger, the cat’s silver whiskers trembled. Then in an instant, it went over to where Hendrick was.
“This is why black-haired beasts are…”
Clicking his tongue, Ryan stopped talking when he saw Hendrick’s face as he stroked the cat’s head, looking happy. Why did he exude such a peaceful and soft aura, Ryan couldn’t understand. Grumbling inwardly, a thought suddenly popped into his head, making his eyes sparkle.
“Did you meet Lord Julian?”
“How do you know that?”
Hendrick’s gently moving hand suddenly stopped.
“I heard the Dilane family offered black tea as a tribute.”
“Yes, that’s right. They came to say they want to expand their business to the capital and hope to receive help from the royal family this time.”
Amazing. Ryan was genuinely impressed. The Dilane family was a wealthy family that accumulated wealth through various businesses instead of having a territory.
And as far as Ryan knew, Viscount Garigan was their backer. But to make a direct request to the king without going through the viscount. That could not have been an easy decision.
“It’s not that surprising. These days, there’s a trend among young nobles to deal directly with the royal family.”
Hendrick put the cat down from the sofa and spoke nonchalantly.
“Is that so. But you’re back early?”
Ryan quickly changed the subject as he wasn’t that interested in politics either.
“Hm?”
“I thought you would have lunch with Lord Julian.”
More precisely, this was what he was more curious about. Since they met Julian, he expected they would have tea together and chat, or if not, take a walk around the palace to get to know each other.
“I agree they will be useful people to me going forward. However, I don’t feel like getting close to them so soon.”
“Them?”
Ryan tilted his head. It sounded like he met more people than just Julian.
“Hm? Weren’t you talking about the nobles who had an audience with His Majesty?”
Seeing Ryan just blinking, Hendrick added an explanation.
“Four people came to meet His Majesty. I just observed. After that, I came straight back.”
Come to think of it, Peter did mention something like that. Still, when Hendrick met Julian, Ryan assumed the two would naturally spend time together, so this was a bit unexpected.
“If you’re hungry, should I have a meal prepared?”
“Uh… sure.”
Even though he felt like he had eaten plenty of snacks, Ryan was feeling peckish, so he nodded without refusing. On the way out of the study towards the dining room, the image of red, spicy tteokbokki suddenly popped into his head.
“Ah, I’m craving something spicy.”
Spicy and sweet taste with a chewy texture. Just imagining it made his mouth water. As he turned his head, his eyes met Hendrick’s.
‘Oh no, I said that so quietly but he still heard? How embarrassing.’
As Ryan giggled and grumbled at Hendrick’s questioning look, Hendrick spoke.
“You seem to use interesting expressions sometimes, even before.”
“Me?”
What could he mean?
“Yes. That word ‘craving’. You also said something about stalking, and before that, there was something about a carp that swallowed the dragon ball. Things like that.”
At those words, Ryan blinked. He used expressions from his past memories even before recalling them?
“Haha… I see. Language habits sure are scary. I’ll have to be more careful from now on.”
To think he used the same expressions as before even when he had no memories. This is why habitual language and actions are so daunting.
“I didn’t mean it was strange, so it’s fine.”
Hendrick seemed unfazed, but Ryan felt differently.
‘Ah, you should have told me sooner if there were things like that!’
Then he would have been more careful. How eccentric must Hendrick have thought he was all this time? It made him want to sigh.
‘No, well. It doesn’t really matter though.’
While pretending to be unbothered, Ryan made a resolution. From now on, he would try his best not to use such expressions.
In the meantime, the two had already arrived at the dining room.
As soon as they sat down, the table began to be filled.
“Ah right, we got an invitation from Liam this weekend. Will you also attend?”
Hendrick suddenly asked Ryan, who was naturally eating the food served in front of him.
“Invitation?”
“Yes. He said to come because it’s his birthday.”
“Were you two close?”
So Hendrick also knows. That he and Liam aren’t on very good terms. Ryan shook his head from side to side.
“So you’re going to go?”
“I asked you first, didn’t I?”
“I’ll go if you go.”
What’s with that? Not even one plus one. Grumbling inwardly, Ryan still felt relieved. In any case, it means a clear ally of his will be there with him.
* * *
“I’ll get going now.”
As he left the dining room after finishing the meal, Ryan expressed his intention to return right away.
“Already?”
“Yeah. Why?”
Do you need something? When Ryan asked in puzzlement, Hendrick smiled as if it couldn’t be helped.
“Did you look at the paintings enough?”
“Oh, ah. Yes. Thanks to you, I had a good look.”
“If it was to your liking…”
Just as Hendrick was about to open his mouth while quietly watching Ryan, who was smiling with his round eyes curved into crescents, clearly satisfied…
“So this is where you were.”
A soft yet captivating voice was heard. Ryan turned his eyes to the bottom of the stairs.
A group of people could be seen. The king wearing a golden crown on his head, the chief attendant behind him, and the attendants.
“Greetings to Your Majesty the King.”
Recognizing who it was, Ryan quickly descended the stairs and politely paid his respects. Hendrick followed behind him and bowed his head.
“Rise.”
At those words, Ryan straightened his body while swallowing hard. The king’s gaze lingered on the two in turn.
“Since it seems you have finished your meal, let us have a cup of tea, shall we.”
It wasn’t a suggestion, but a command to do so.
‘No, why is he saying to have tea together!’
It’s incredibly burdensome!
The occasions where Ryan would meet the king face-to-face were few and far between, and even then, it was limited to exchanging greetings when they happened to run into each other.
But now the king had purposely come to Hendrick’s palace at a time when Ryan was there, and suggested having tea together. It felt very much intentional.
‘Ah, that’s right!’
Then he remembered the purpose of coming to the palace today.
‘Could it be because of something Hendrick discussed with him yesterday?’
If he had known they would run into each other like this, he would have somehow pressed Hendrick for information beforehand. But it was already too late for regrets.
“Ryan was just about to leave. Let’s have the tea another time.”
That’s when Hendrick’s voice was heard, rejecting the king’s words. He sounded so resolute that Ryan was startled and checked the king’s countenance.
“What about you, Ryan?”
Perhaps because he was already looking this way, Ryan’s eyes immediately met the king’s. Ryan’s gaze, unable to hide his flustered expression, dropped straight down.
“Thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty. Of course I must accept!”
Ryan replied respectfully and sent a look to Hendrick. Telling him to quickly retract what he said earlier and apologize.
“Your Majesty, Ryan feels burdened. Please just leave it at that for today and return.”
But it was utterly brazen. Hendrick nonchalantly threw out the impudent words telling the king to just leave.
“Gasp!”
Ryan’s eyes shook uncontrollably. Why does he keep using Ryan as an excuse? Ryan was trying to obediently follow the king’s words!
Whirling around to look at Hendrick, this time he protested with his eyes. Telling him to take back what he just said and apologize to the king right now.
“Hmm… is that so?”
The king was not displeased. He merely tilted his head. But even so, Ryan felt like cold sweat would trickle down.
“I told you. I’ll handle it.”
“Well, it seems you are quite mistaken about this.”
“I’m not, I said?”
At the king’s words conveying doubt, Hendrick frowned and even furrowed his eyebrows as he refuted.
“All right. But I hope you won’t make a mistake, Hendrick. As you know, Ryan is also very precious to me.”
Ryan found this situation utterly burdensome. Both the king constantly putting him at the center of the conversation and Hendrick not backing down an inch and talking back.
Above all, calling him a precious child and whatnot, it seemed the king was severely mistaken about something.
‘Should I say it’s not true? But then if he asks what isn’t, how do I answer?’
Rather than unnecessarily creating trouble, perhaps staying silent would be wiser.
“It seems I came too hastily today. Ryan, it’s regrettable, but it would be better for us to have tea together next time.”
The king belatedly saved Ryan from his uneasiness.
“Anytime, Your Majesty.”
Of course, the best thing would be to avoid the uncomfortable situation of having tea with the king. However, since he couldn’t reveal his true feelings, Ryan spoke as if he was disappointed, hiding his relief.
Even after that, the king lingered for a long time with this and that remark, and only finally left after Hendrick rudely showed irritation, telling him to please leave already.
“Hendrick!”
Soon, an irate Ryan glared at Hendrick.
“Why did His Majesty come to see me? And what does he mean by precious child and all that!”
“You don’t need to mind it.”
“You may not need to, but I do! So tell me quickly!”
You may be a prince, but I’m just the youngest of a count’s family! Unlike Ryan who was anxious, Hendrick was unperturbed.
“Do you really want to hear?”
“Yes. What is it?”
By this point his pride was piqued. Placing both hands on his waist, Ryan stared straight at him, telling him to speak quickly. Hendrick met Ryan’s eyes and opened his mouth.
“If I’m going to date you, he told me to think carefully about it.”