The Villain's End Is Pregnancy - c68
“I’m sorry. It seems this happened because I acted too hastily.”
“That’s not true, Your Highness. It was something we had to talk about at some point.”
“Still, I didn’t want to shock Ryan to the point of fainting.”
“That’s more my fault. I’m the one who should apologize for worrying you, Your Highness.”
As soon as he regained consciousness, familiar voices were heard right away. One was Hendrick, the other was Catherine.
It seemed something similar had happened before, but it was hazy when exactly. Probably because he wasn’t fully awake yet and was still dazed.
Then it suddenly occurred to him that it was the situation when he went to the department store with Hendrick, chased a thief, rode in a carriage to the palace, bickered with Mani, dozed off and woke up.
But he was more curious as to why he was in this situation now than then.
‘Fainting…’
It seemed his body had significantly weakened due to the pregnancy. He had never fainted in his life before.
‘No. Anyone would be a bit shocked hearing those words.’
Mother and Catherine knew. About the pregnancy. More than anything, Ryan was startled by how Catherine brought it up so nonchalantly.
Her expression and eyes that seemed to have known for a long time were probably more shocking. To the point that his vision turned white and he lost consciousness in that instant.
‘I think someone apologized too…’
The feeling of strong arms catching his collapsing body and the painfully apologetic words. It was probably Hendrick.
“Rather, upon careful thought, I think you’re right.”
It was Hendrick who spoke in an exasperated tone. That didn’t suit him. Curious as to what kind of face he was making to say such things, Ryan slowly opened his eyelids.
“I’ll put going to the palace together on hold for now. Instead, I’ll do my best here from now on.”
In his still blurry vision, he saw the two people sitting across from each other. As expected, it was Hendrick and Catherine. They were at a table not far from the bed, but hadn’t yet noticed Ryan waking up.
“Pardon? Doing your best here… What do you mean?”
“I haven’t thought about it concretely yet, but first it requires the permission of Count Fitzroy and the Countess, so I’ll discuss it separately.”
“I trust that you will be considerate of Ryan, Your Highness.”
Those words were full of the meaning that she wouldn’t let it slide if he didn’t treat her younger brother properly. The bold Catherine knew how to vaguely threaten even Hendrick.
‘Ahhh! Catherine! No matter what, you can’t do that!’
He couldn’t let his efforts to prevent harm to his family go to waste like this.
“Ryan?”
Perhaps sensing his presence, Hendrick turned this way. Then, discovering Ryan struggling to get up, he immediately rose from his chair and walked to the bed.
Bending his waist and reaching out his long arms to embrace the small body was natural and gentle.
“How’s your body? Not dizzy or anything? Any pain in your stomach?”
With each sweet and caring word like chocolate, Ryan blinked. It wasn’t just his words. Hendrick hugged him as if holding something precious.
He remembered the gazes, actions, and smiles Hendrick had shown him throughout the return to the capital. With him expressing his emotions so transparently, Ryan couldn’t think his feelings were insincere.
‘I shouldn’t…’
To live and keep his family alive, he had to push Hendrick away. Steeling his wavering heart, he pushed against the firm body tightly pressed against him.
“…!”
He tried to, but for some reason, Hendrick was unbelievably strong.
“Hey, Hendrick.”
“Hm? Does it hurt somewhere? Tell me.”
“That’s not it, just…!”
Get off. What was he doing in front of Catherine? He tried to protest, but the other party seemed to have no intention of listening.
“I should immediately summon the court physician.”
“I will contact them.”
Rather, it sounded like Catherine got up from her seat and went outside. Listening to the click-clack of receding footsteps, Ryan suddenly came to his senses.
“Hey, it’s suffocating! Get off!”
Unable to punch him, Ryan slapped the broad back with his palms, and only then did Hendrick back away.
Ryan glared at him with the corners of his eyes raised, but soon had to soften his gaze at the eyes carefully examining his complexion.
“I’m fine. Not dizzy, no pain in my stomach. So you don’t need to call the doctor. No, call them. What court physician? Our family doctor too…”
Ryan, who was about to say very capable, closed his mouth. For a moment, he thought of the faces of Catherine and his mother who knew about his pregnancy.
“Ah, I can’t stand this. I told them to keep it a secret until I say it myself, but they blabbed without waiting for that!”
Ryan’s eyes flashed for a moment. The fact that the doctor was good at his job was one thing, but he had to clearly address him not keeping his word.
Of course, it was the count’s authority to dismiss him, but he also thought his father, who cherished him more than anyone, wouldn’t leave it be.
“I’ll take care of that part separately, so don’t worry about it.”
“What, why you?”
“Since he spoke of the royal blood, he’ll have to pay the price for that.”
“I said it’s not your child!”
He keeps slyly implying it’s his child. Ryan flinched for a moment and rather strongly denied it. But somehow, Hendrick only smiled faintly again.
“Okay.”
“What do you mean okay? I said it’s not!”
“Alright.”
What’s with that composure, really?
As Ryan was trying to somehow grasp Hendrick’s intentions with the creeping anxiety, a servant outside delivered the news that the court physician had arrived.
* * *
“You’ve worked hard.”
After finishing the examination, Ryan couldn’t help but send pitiful eyes to the court physician who was organizing.
“…Thank you, Lord Ryan.”
Then the court physician looked at Ryan with trembling eyes. She also realized the meaning behind Ryan offering such consolation.
Why wouldn’t she?
She had to take responsibility for Ryan’s health and nutrition throughout his ascent to the capital. And just when she thought he could finally rest properly after returning to the capital, now she was summoned to the Count Fitzroy’s house.
“From now on, my examinations…”
“She will continue to be in charge. Anyway, there are no other omegas to care for in the palace besides you, so it worked out well.”
Ryan looked at Hendrick, who butted in before he could finish his sentence, with displeasure. But the handsome face, upon meeting his eyes, grinned as if in a good mood.
“What do you mean none? There’s the Queen, and occasionally visiting omega nobles, foreign ambassadors, and royalty too.”
“The Queen already has a dedicated physician who has been with her for decades. And for the other omega nobles and royalty, we have personnel ready to care for them each time as well.”
“Still, no matter what…”
How could he tell the court physician to come all the way here to take care of him? However, Ryan didn’t bother to add more.
Somehow, he felt it would be futile against Hendrick. Besides, for the sake of the court physician fidgeting while alternately looking at him and the prince, it seemed the argument should stop here.
“Fine. Anyway, if we’re done, I should get moving too.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why? It’s almost time for Father and Edgar to arrive. I have to go greet them.”
Usually, whenever a family member returned from going out, Ryan tried to show his face at the front gate as much as possible.
Moreover, today he had something important to tell the two of them, so he was planning to go wait first. But it seemed Hendrick had a different idea.
“If you sit on the terrace, you can see the carriage entering through the gate at a glance. Wouldn’t it be better to wait there while having a snack? Don’t stand for long.”
He was probably saying that because of the pregnancy. Ryan glanced at the court physician with his mouth tightly shut.
As if waiting for that, her head nodded vigorously. Of course, she wouldn’t refuse Hendrick’s suggestion.
‘Surprisingly, they’re in sync.’
Well, come to think of it, it didn’t seem too bad either.
“Okay. Then let’s do that.”