The Villain's End Is Pregnancy - c62
“Huh? Pardon? What?”
The young nobleman, startled by Ryan’s question, forgot about etiquette and abruptly stood up from his seat. Seeing his widened eyes and gaping mouth, Ryan sighed.
“Why are you so surprised over a joke? I’m sorry about that. Anyway, was it really true by any chance?”
“Uh, well…”
Before he could say “that is” again, Ryan hastily intervened.
“If it’s copper, that’s even better news. So don’t worry and tell me.”
“Better news?”
“Yeah. It’ll align perfectly with the reason I came here.”
Rather than explaining further to the young nobleman who was blankly blinking his eyes in bewilderment, Ryan also got up.
“Since it seems we’re done eating, shall we move to a different place to have a more detailed conversation?”
And he passed by the young nobleman who still couldn’t properly grasp the situation and vacantly stood there, exiting the dining room.
“Huh? Hendrick?”
As soon as he came out, Ryan immediately spotted a tall figure standing by the window. The first thought that came to mind was that his upright posture, not even leaning, was just like him.
Putting that aside, why is he here?
“Are you done talking?”
“Ah, yeah.”
It seems he was right that Hendrick gave them space to talk comfortably.
‘Seriously, his consideration is unnecessarily overflowing.’
He could have listened anyway. What reason would a prince have to leave in the middle of a meal? Ryan, feeling upset again, approached Hendrick with a pout.
“You’re just in time. There’s something we need to discuss together regarding the mine. Let’s go.”
Hendrick’s gaze fell on the small lips and then dropped, but Ryan didn’t notice as he was busy telling the young nobleman to guide them.
The place the three of them moved to was a terrace with good lighting. For Hendrick who couldn’t eat properly, Ryan ordered the servants to bring an abundance of snacks.
Of course, the one who ended up claiming the cookies, cakes, pies, and fruits placed in front was none other than himself.
Busy discussing the mine, Ryan didn’t notice the snacks converging towards him as he munched away and instructed the young nobleman to speak more precisely about matters related to the mine.
“If it’s copper, it’s actually even better news for Ryan.”
Hendrick, who had been quietly listening to the explanation, carefully broached the subject first. No, there was an intrigued light in his face as he looked at Ryan.
“Pardon?”
The young nobleman asked in confusion, but Hendrick’s gaze was still fixed on Ryan.
“Now that it’s come to this, it would be good to consider ways to commercially expand it.”
“I told you it’s not to that extent yet.”
Why is he already getting ahead like that again? Ryan grumbled, but Hendrick pushed even more strongly.
“From what I saw of the experiments, it seems it could be commercialized to any degree. With that much, it’s good to go straight into casting and try printing.”
“We haven’t even met the author yet.”
“Can’t we proceed first with the work that can be contacted the fastest?”
“…No.”
“Hm?”
Ryan pondered for a moment. Would it be okay to explain the reason? When he first visited Philip, the two of them made a separate contract.
In the event of printing books with movable type, the content was to first work with the piece Philip was transcribing.
This part was something Ryan additionally included for Philip who had researched for his sake, so he intended to faithfully carry out the terms.
“Well, you did say from the beginning that you conceived this idea because of the maritime southern country series.”
The corners of Hendrick’s mouth curved up. There’s that expression again. As if finding it admirable, as if finding it so adorable he can’t stand it.
‘Ah, seriously. How embarrassing.’
Ryan scratched his ear and furtively shifted his gaze, only to directly meet the eyes of the young nobleman who was looking at them strangely.
“Ahem… Anyway. Continue with the development of the mine. You understand, right? His Highness the Prince will actively support it, so you have nothing to worry about.”
According to the original work, this mine would eventually belong to Hendrick anyway. So Ryan judged that even if he said this now, Hendrick would accept it.
Right? Ryan looked at Hendrick. Then the straight and firm head immediately nodded.
“Yes. Don’t worry and do as you wish. Whether it’s the financial aspect or anything else, if there’s something you need, I won’t hold back on support.”
He not only nodded but also spoke the words Ryan wanted to hear. Thanks to that, the young nobleman’s face also brightened.
‘At times like this, he’s really reassuring.’
With a smile hanging on his lips out of satisfaction, Ryan’s gaze returned to the young nobleman. Then he could see that his expression had become even more enigmatic than before.
He didn’t know why he kept looking at them like that. Whatever it was, Ryan had no interest in it, so he officially brought up the mine as the topic.
Fortunately, the young nobleman also seemed to have gained hope that the mine issue wouldn’t be a problem, so he participated enthusiastically.
“From now on, all matters must be reported to me. Only then can we set the direction on how to proceed.”
“Then, do I not need to inform the Count separately?”
“I’ll tell my father as soon as I return to the capital. I’ve already had a conversation with him about that part.”
“Yes, then I will do so.”
“Also check what else besides copper can be mined from the mine.”
Ryan diligently spent his time putting the snacks Hendrick handed him into his mouth one by one, receiving and drinking the refreshing beverage he offered, and responding to his affectionate words.
While doing so, he couldn’t pay attention to the fact that the young nobleman was busily observing Ryan and Hendrick from time to time.
“The casting factory should also be located nearby. I’ll leave that entirely up to you, so handle it well.”
“How could I refuse? I will discuss it and contact you right away.”
At the mention of conducting other businesses in connection with mining the mine, the young nobleman became even more motivated.
Because he knew that today’s meeting was a golden opportunity to develop the region. The young nobleman even went as far as saying he wanted to treat the two of them to a grand dinner.
“We’ll need to rest well today, so let’s do that later.”
The sun was already setting, so it wasn’t an unreasonable suggestion. Yet Hendrick refused.
“Ah, I understand.”
The young nobleman also seemed to have expected him to agree, unable to hide his disappointment and bewilderment. But then, as if realizing something, he let out an exclamation of “Ah!”
“I apologize. I was being tactless… Then I will take my leave now.”
And at the end, he even blurted out some inane remark about having a good time before disappearing.
“What the…”
It’s not like that! Ryan wanted to refute, but the target had already vanished. He tightly shut his mouth in the awkward situation where only the two of them were left.
“I refused because I thought you’d be tired from constantly having meetings today.”
While Ryan was pondering how to change the subject, Hendrick initiated the conversation first. Moreover, it wasn’t the nonsense the young nobleman had thrown out, so Ryan naturally felt relieved.
“As if that much would.”
Even while speaking in a tone implying it was needless worry, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but slightly rise.
“Then, since things seem roughly settled on this end, shall we slowly head back to the capital?”
It would have been better if there were no more words attached afterwards. Ryan’s head swiftly turned towards Hendrick with a whoosh.
“Why? Is there somewhere else you still need to go?”
If he says he’s trying to buy time, the right answer is yes. However, Ryan couldn’t continue to have Hendrick accompany him.
‘The prince shouldn’t keep leaving the capital empty.’
No matter how much Hendrick said it was fine, the king’s order to return could come down at any time. Ryan didn’t want to stubbornly insist while causing such an inconvenience.
“No. Let’s go back. There’s a lot to do there too.”
Yeah, it’ll be fine. There are many things to prepare for mass printing anyway. First, he needs to take a closer look at the movable type blocks he entrusted to Philip, and he has to find a site to install the press.
‘And I can’t just leave it entirely up to Hendrick to find out about the author of the maritime southern country series.’
After coming up with various excuses, Ryan, judging that there was no need to delay further, spoke once more.
“I think we can leave early tomorrow. Let’s do that.”
“Don’t rush.”
He finally made up his mind, but what is he saying again? Ryan’s face naturally started to scrunch up, but Hendrick didn’t erase his smile even after seeing that.
“You need to think of your body. Let’s take it slow.”
What? It’s nothing special, but why is it making his heart flutter again? Ryan quickly covered his face with his palms, feeling like it was turning red.
Even so, he couldn’t hide his flushed cheeks, but what could he do?
“Wh-what? That much is fine.”
He was also aware that his voice was trembling slightly, but he tried hard to ignore it.
“Still. There’s nothing urgent anyway.”
Then will we have more leisure to focus only on each other?
The moment he had that thought, his heart started pounding pleasantly.
Despite saying he would distance himself from Hendrick only a few days ago, Ryan furtively averted his eyes again as his feelings quietly changed.