The Villain's End Is Pregnancy - c47
Due to the late hour, it was easy to move Ryan to a nearby annex. But what happened afterwards was the problem.
“Contact the Fitzroy family.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Peter was about to turn and leave after answering faithfully, but Hendrick called him back.
“Keep it to yourself that I was the one who found him. Appropriately compensate the attendants who accompanied us today and send them away.”
Peter, who looked puzzled for a moment at the following words, once again quietly bowed.
“Understood.”
But Hendrick’s request did not end there. Perhaps the most important thing was what he said next.
“Today, I did not go to look for Ryan, nor did I come here. I saw nothing else either.”
Only then did Peter understand the intent behind the orders his prince had issued earlier. His gaze unconsciously turned to the tightly closed door.
Behind it was an omega who had just manifested and was in pain. The tight-lipped court physician went inside, accompanied by a veteran lady-in-waiting.
Hendrick cautioned them several times. Do not step a single foot outside until the person inside wakes up. Do not be curious about who they are or try to find out.
He even said that if rumors about today’s events were found to be circulating, they would bear the responsibility.
“Understood.”
Peter had a premonition that today’s events would become quite a major incident for his prince. That’s why he took even more care.
He quickly contacted the Fitzroy family and personally greeted the guests who arrived soon after. He made sure they lacked nothing during their stay at the palace for several days, and went to great lengths to ensure no word of this got out.
“Fortunately, the crisis has passed safely today and his fever has come down. He even regained consciousness for a brief moment.”
Of course, the most important thing was to relay to Hendrick what was happening at the annex. Today, as soon as there was new information, Peter hurried to find his prince.
“Is that so.”
Hendrick, who had heard the story, nodded without taking his eyes off his book. Despite his seemingly indifferent tone, his loyal attendant easily noticed the relief mixed into his expression.
“But there is also some unfortunate news.”
“What news?”
“The guest at the annex says he does not remember what happened that day.”
Only then did Hendrick raise his head that had been bowed the whole time. At the look in his eyes telling him to say more, Peter opened his mouth right away.
“It seems to be the opinion that it may be memory loss caused by his first manifestation occurring simultaneously with his heat cycle.”
“You mean he remembers nothing at all?”
“He remembers going somewhere with his friends during the day to look for treasure, but he can’t recall anything after that.”
Hendrick put down the book he was holding and became lost in thought. If word of this got out, not only the young nobles but Ryan too would be unable to avoid punishment.
So he decided to overlook their actions and cover up the incident this time. Of course, he did not forget to warn them not to do it again in the future.
So in a way, it was fortunate that Ryan had partially lost his memory. And also that Hendrick himself had gone there.
But why was it that he felt a sense of disappointment and emptiness?
* * *
Perhaps the reason his confession was not properly conveyed to Ryan now was because of his own cowardice back then.
Hendrick withdrew his hand that had been wandering around the sleeping face and gave a bitter smile.
“I don’t regret it.”
At the time, he judged that to be the best course of action. Entering the forbidden area was a capital offense. If the king found out, even if Hendrick defended him as much as possible, Ryan and his family would have suffered greatly.
Moreover, Ryan unexpectedly had his first heat cycle there. If that fact was also revealed, he would have been plagued by malicious rumors.
No, these were all just excuses. It was a mistake made because he didn’t know what feelings he had at the time.
“Still, I should have at least seen his face…”
The reason he felt that way was probably because he rejected the confession Ryan made without hesitation, saying he liked him.
Hendrick, who had been staring intently at the sleeping face, got up from his seat with a sigh. Anyway, now that he had shown his feelings, there was no other way.
‘I’ll have to show Ryan my better side from now on.’
Strangely, despite the bitterness inside, he felt a bit motivated, and Hendrick smiled for once in a long while. Putting that aside, there was something else he had to take care of now.
He left the bedroom very carefully, lest he wake the sleeping person. Even though he had stayed up all night until dawn, his body felt very light and refreshed.
Although it was bright outside, perhaps due to orders, the floor where the two were staying was quiet. Only after descending the stairs did Hendrick sweep his gaze over the attendants standing with tense faces.
“I hope you had a peaceful night, Your Highness.”
Representing them, Peter stepped forward and greeted him.
“Prepare a meal. We’ll eat simply upstairs, so go up and stand by.”
“Yes, understood. Is there anything else you need?”
Hendrick, who pondered for a moment, gestured. Peter, who understood it meant to come closer, quickly approached.
“Call the court physician. Just in case, he should be examined.”
“I will call him right away.”
Having finished giving orders, Hendrick told them to take care of their own tasks except for coming upstairs, and returned to the bedroom.
Since he had only been gone for a few minutes, Ryan was still fast asleep. Seeing his face looking so peaceful, Hendrick quietly watched him.
He would have to think about what to do from now on, but right now there was something else he wanted to do more.
Perhaps because he had been out for a bit, the pheromones lingering in the air felt sweeter than before. Hendrick slowly approached the bed.
He was sure he didn’t feel sleepy until just now, but perhaps intoxicated by the pheromones, his body gradually grew languid.
It was different from the maddening surge of desire. It just made him feel cozy and pleasant, wanting to endlessly snuggle close.
“Ryan.”
He sat gently on the bed and called out the lovely name. In fact, it was a voice as quiet as the curtains swaying in the breeze.
Hendrick let the clothes he had hastily put on fall to the floor and surreptitiously lay down next to Ryan. His eyelids felt heavy.
However, he couldn’t give up looking at the sleeping face, exhaling colorful breaths. The eyes that had been tormented by Hendrick until dawn were still red.
The lips that were constantly bitten and sucked were still swollen. But what captivated Hendrick’s gaze more were the neck and collarbones, completely mottled with marks.
“Mmm…”
Hendrick, who had unconsciously reached out and traced the darkened marks with his fingertips, flinched at the moan-like sound.
He looked up and checked Ryan’s face, but fortunately he did not open his eyes. After all, having been so tormented, it would be difficult for him to wake up right away.
Still, he didn’t want to bother him further and disturb his sleep. Instead, Hendrick cradled the small head on his arm and pulled the slender body close with his other arm.
“Mmph…”
Perhaps uncomfortable with the change in position, Ryan furrowed his brows. He even twisted his body this way and that. Hendrick, who had been watching him wriggle in his embrace, finally couldn’t resist and pressed his lips to the soft, fluffy hair.
The warm, nutty scent of freshly baked bread and the sweet and sour taste of fruit were conveyed simultaneously. Just smelling it made Hendrick feel good, and a smile appeared on his lips once more.
In the meantime, Ryan seemed to have found a comfortable spot, as he stopped moving. Fortunately, he did not escape from the embrace.
Rather, Ryan rested his forehead against the large chest, exhaling drowsily, and fell into a deep sleep. The area near Hendrick’s heart tickled.
Thump, thump.
The heartbeat that he usually couldn’t hear well seemed to be conveyed clearly.
In the serene and warm atmosphere, Hendrick’s eyelids also gradually began to close. Soon, he too began to fall asleep at a pace similar to Ryan’s.
His resolve to have a serious conversation with Ryan again when he opened his eyes scattered like a dream in an instant.
* * *
Around the time when the two fell asleep in each other’s arms, Peter, who had summoned the court physician on the prince’s orders, sternly warned him.
“This is someone the prince cares about, so you must be especially careful.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“You must not make any mistakes.”
At the repeated urging, the court physician nodded, but could not hide his expression of wondering why this person was acting this way.
As far as he knew, the attendant in front of him tended to be a bit oversensitive when it came to the prince’s affairs, but he was not someone who paid attention to the other party as well.
Rather, he tended to find the young nobles who came to visit quite annoying.
‘Is this the person from the rumors? The one he supposedly spent the night with?’
The court physician, who had heard the pink rumors that had swept through the palace for a while, also became curious. Moreover, a very long time ago, he had treated an omega who had manifested while being forced to remain silent, so he was even more intrigued.
However, knowing that the important thing when working in the palace was silence, he wisely kept his mouth shut.
As if judging that this was enough, Peter took the court physician and went up to the second floor. For some reason, he felt a little nervous. It was because something similar to this had happened before.
‘Perhaps this time, something will be different.’
It was both a premonition and his small hope.