The Villain's End Is Pregnancy - c70
‘Ryan, I know why you can’t trust me. I must have hurt you by being insensitive all this time. So I understand that you’re trying to hide the truth.’
A warm hand brushes across his forehead with a low sigh.
‘So it’s okay. You can do whatever you want. I’ll wait forever. But Ryan, just remember one thing.’
He hesitates a bit, then continues. Softly, as if telling a secret, barely audible.
‘That I truly cherish you. No, that I love you.’
When Ryan woke up again, his surroundings were completely dark. He blinked his eyelids slowly. It feels like he had an important dream, but he can’t remember what it was about.
‘No, was that really a dream?’
It seems like he heard something very ticklish yet heart-fluttering… The problem is he can’t recall what it was at all.
‘By the way, I fell asleep again. Did Hendrick leave?’
As he became more alert, rather than how long he slept, he was curious about Hendrick’s whereabouts. He slyly opened his eyes and looked around.
Only a few candles in the candlestick were visible, and there were no signs of people.
Strangely, that made him feel empty and regretful.
“No, what am I saying?”
Ryan frowned at the thought that popped up unconsciously just now.
“No, it’s not!”
Denying it, he quickly sat up. Then he scanned the room once more. As expected, there was no one inside.
Checking the time, it wasn’t as late as he thought.
‘They must have had dinner. What is everyone doing?’
Should I go out and check? It seems like there was more conversation after he fell asleep, but he hesitated to ask.
‘I’ll ask tomorrow.’
A lot happened today, and it seems like his fatigue hasn’t lifted yet. He buried his face in the pillow again, but sleep didn’t come.
Growl.
Right on cue, a sound of hunger came from his stomach. Once he became aware of it, the desire to eat something became desperate.
“You must be really sturdy.”
How can the appetite be so good? He wasn’t usually like this. But what can you do? Rubbing his belly, Ryan got out of bed and left the room wearing only a gown.
He could pull the cord to call a servant, but since it turned out this way, he intended to casually ask if Hendrick had left if he ran into anyone while wandering around.
“Where did everyone go?”
It wasn’t even late, but somehow he couldn’t run into his family or any male or female servants. Ryan tilted his head, then thought he should fill his stomach first and went down to the basement where the kitchen was.
“Hmm…”
But there was no one here either. The large kitchen was neatly organized.
“Just bear with it a bit. If it really doesn’t work, I’ll go out and eat.”
Ryan patted his belly to comfort it and pulled the closed door inside the kitchen. He thought it might be a place where food was stored. But it wouldn’t open, maybe because it was locked.
“It seems like there’s a delicious smell coming from here…”
He pulled the doorknob a few more times with regret, but it wouldn’t budge. While contemplating what to do, Ryan suddenly remembered the small shelf at the kitchen entrance.
“Ah, maybe there’s something there?”
Just as he was about to turn around and go out with anticipation. The moment he turned his body around with disappointment.
“Gasp!”
Ryan was startled and took a couple steps back.
“Oh my, young master!”
Likewise, the other person stepped back in a fluster, not knowing what to do. Standing in front was a woman holding a large stick.
“Goodness, what brings you here at this hour?”
Wearing a white hood on her head, she examined Ryan’s face and asked. She had just come out from the side room after resting briefly, hearing the rustling sound.
The Fitzroy mansion was thorough with pest control, so there were no bugs or rats, but occasionally stray cats would sneak in to look for food.
This time too, she came in wondering if it was a hungry fellow or a thief.
“Well, I’m a bit hungry…”
“Ah! You didn’t have a meal. Oh dear, then I’ll quickly make something and bring it to you. Please wait in your room for a bit. Why did you come all the way here without calling someone?”
“No. Just give me some fruit or snacks if you have any. I’ll take them.”
“Is that okay?”
When Ryan obediently nodded, a smile appeared on the chef’s face as well.
“One moment. I’ll give it to you right away.”
Saying that, she disappeared behind the door Ryan had wanted to enter so badly earlier. Then the chef easily emerged with food.
“Here, have this.”
“Thanks.”
“Haha… I was surprised because it’s the first time the young master came here.”
“Sorry. I came because I didn’t see anyone.”
“Ah, that’s probably because His Highness is here.”
Ryan unexpectedly heard about Hendrick’s whereabouts from her.
“Yes. After having dinner, he’s staying in the east building.”
So everyone gathered there in a rush, the chef said with a sigh. The east building is a separate building for guests staying at the Fitzroy family.
The palace isn’t far away, it’s literally within reach, so what reason would Hendrick have to be there?
“Why didn’t he leave?”
Even though he felt disappointed and empty when Hendrick wasn’t there when he woke up earlier, Ryan grumbled sulkily.
Yet his eyes looking at the chef held a subtle expectation.
“I’m not sure about the details either.”
But he couldn’t obtain the information he wanted. It seemed the details weren’t passed on to those doing household chores.
‘Well, they can’t recklessly spread the news of the pregnancy or matters with the prince.’
Ryan munched on the fruit the chef gave him and pondered whether he should go see Hendrick or not.
‘I should meet him now.’
That way he could find out what he was thinking when he said those things earlier. Steeling his resolve, Ryan finished the plate and headed straight to the east building.
“He’s not here?”
“He went out with the Count a while ago.”
Unfortunately, what he heard upon arriving was Hendrick’s absence.
“By went out, do you mean he left the mansion?”
“I’m not sure exactly where he went. Should I find out?”
“He didn’t return to the palace, right?”
“No. It seems His Highness’ luggage arrived additionally from the palace, so I don’t think so.”
Ryan tilted his head at the servant’s answer just now.
It seems like he heard something strange?
“What did you say just now?”
“Pardon?”
“You said something about His Highness’ luggage.”
“Ah! That. They sent clothes for His Highness to wear for a few days and items he’ll use from the palace.”
“You mean he said he’ll stay here for a few days?”
What nonsense is this! Ryan’s face scrunched up.
“Which room is it?”
Unable to believe it even after hearing, he signaled the servant to guide him to the room the prince was staying in. Could they really let him know, no matter what?
The servant hesitated for a moment, but quickly changed his mind at the glaring eyes. The door would be locked anyway, and Ryan could come out recklessly, so it would be better to tell him before that.
“It’s the very last room on the 1st floor.”
As soon as he heard, Ryan ran there right away. Opening the door and seeing the interior, a gasp of disbelief escaped.
“What is all this?”
He was doubtful even when the servant told him, but it was already overflowing with a lived-in feeling as if someone had been staying there for a long time. However, it didn’t take long to realize this was just the beginning.
Ryan, who waited past midnight but couldn’t meet Hendrick, saw him again at the table where he was having breakfast with his family.
“Hahaha… Your Highness, that’s what I should say. I didn’t know you could drink so well.”
“I haven’t had many opportunities to drink with the Count. It hasn’t been long since I had my coming-of-age ceremony. So it would be nice to gather frequently from now on.”
“That’s what I wanted to say. I’m moved. Come to think of it, both Your Highness and Ryan became adults this year, but I’m worried because the kid is too childish.”
Even before Ryan appeared, Count Fitzroy and Hendrick were already having a pleasant conversation.
The topic had somehow shifted from drinking to worrying that Ryan was immature.
“I thought I already mentioned how excellent Ryan is. Do you still think that way?”
“The things you told me were a bit surprising. To think he had such an ingenious idea… But wouldn’t it be faster to just write on paper rather than making letters out of metal one by one?”
That’s when Ryan was about to make his presence known, not liking the topic.
“It might be like that at first. But once it’s established, it will be much faster and more efficient than copying by hand.”
As if he already knew Ryan was there, Hendrick meets his eyes.
“Trust your son. He will surely accomplish great things.”
The moment he saw the warm smile on Hendrick’s lips, Ryan flinched.
‘He’s doing this on purpose, right? Trying to tempt me.’
He grumbled in vain, but couldn’t control his fluttering heart.