The Villain's End Is Pregnancy - c74
“Ryan, baby? Why does your face look like that?”
Catherine, who had a smile on her face at the thought of eating the cake she bought alone with her youngest brother after coming back from an outing, widened her eyes in surprise.
“It’s nothing…”
Ryan answered weakly with a face that anyone could see was dark.
“It’s not nothing! Your complexion looks terrible.”
“I just couldn’t sleep well.”
“Couldn’t sleep? Why? Do you have any worries?”
Ryan rolled his eyes at the barrage of questions. Of course he had worries. The problem was that it kept coming to mind and tormenting his feelings, wondering what Hendrick was talking about and doing while meeting Julian.
‘I can’t say that.’
He took such good care of Ryan, attentively watching his actions and making sure he was comfortable, as if he were really his fiancé.
‘And then…’
He felt even more gloomy and betrayed that he left to meet Julian after making him so confused. And he was annoyed at himself for having such thoughts.
Suddenly, Ryan recalled at what point in the original story this corresponded to.
‘If this is when Hendrick and Julian began to officially meet at the palace… it’s when the past Ryan slowly started on the path of a villain out of jealousy towards the two, right?’
It was the past Ryan who acted recklessly just by hearing that there was an omega Hendrick was interested in at the coming-of-age ceremony.
Then, when the prince really got a new omega, his heart became anxious and he caused even bigger incidents, and eventually his family was ruined, wasn’t it?
‘Hah… Still, the fortunate thing is that I told Hendrick about printing and the mine.’
So at least the family won’t be completely expelled. Even so, he couldn’t help but feel a pain in his stomach just thinking that Hendrick, who had been so affectionate to him, was meeting another omega at the palace.
‘No. It’s not.’
The story is just flowing faithfully according to the original. So I should be relieved. Why am I harboring strange feelings?
“Ryan, it’s okay. Tell me about it.”
“Ugh. No, Catherine. I just had a nightmare and couldn’t sleep.”
“Really?”
“Yeah…”
“They do say that hormonal imbalances often cause insomnia, especially in early pregnancy.”
Then Catherine suddenly noticed the sweet fruity scent spreading faintly in the air.
“Ryan, do you know that I can smell your pheromones?”
“Really?”
At those words, Ryan frowned and sniffed. Then, as she said, he sensed the familiar scent.
“They said it’s hard to control pheromones during pregnancy… it’s true.”
“I heard it from the doctor too, but I never noticed it until now.”
“Is that so? Come to think of it, I was like that too.”
Catherine also seemed to be recalling it and nodded her head. Ryan also tilted his head.
“His Highness must have managed it well while being with you.”
“What?”
Why is Hendrick coming up here? Ryan pouted his lips at the name that now casually comes up even when talking about pheromones.
Catherine said that because she didn’t know who that great prince was meeting at the palace right now.
“I heard that the most stabilizing thing for a pregnant person is when their alpha spouse is with them. Not only psychologically, but pheromones too, right?”
Moreover, Hendrick is an extreme alpha, so didn’t he take good care of you so you wouldn’t be uncomfortable? Catherine’s face was full of a proud light as she said that.
“No.”
“No way. Look, it shows right away when His Highness is not by your side. The child in your belly is also anxious because they don’t see their father.”
He wanted to deny it again, but he couldn’t. In fact, Hendrick was indeed the child’s father.
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. That’s how all couples are.”
“Couples! We’re not even married yet?”
“You will be soon, what’s the big deal. Okay, then I’ll correct it to fiancés about to get married.”
As he listened to Catherine’s teasing words, Ryan gulped down the tea like water this time.
The reason why the aftertaste felt bitter even though he thought it was quite delicious earlier because it was fragrant and sweet had nothing to do with this, but with the prince who was probably having a great time at the palace!
“Do you want to get a checkup first to see how your condition is?”
“No. It’s fine. It’s not that serious. The news might unnecessarily reach Hendrick.”
If that happens, he might put everything aside and return to the Earl’s house immediately. Ryan shook his head vigorously at the situation that was clearly depicted.
Because of that, he didn’t realize that he had naturally sought out the royal physician instead of his family doctor, or that he thought Hendrick would naturally come to him if the story was conveyed to him.
“Ah, His Highness might be surprised. Then let’s call the family doctor for now.”
At those words, Ryan was reminded of the existence of the family doctor he had forgotten.
“No. It’s okay. I’ll take care of that, so Catherine, don’t worry about it.”
Ryan immediately shook his head again.
“The family doctor also asked me to contact you, saying he had something to tell you, so it would be good to call him while we’re at it.”
“Something to tell me?”
“Yeah. He said there was something you asked him to find out about before?”
“Ah…!”
At those words, Ryan immediately recalled the task he had instructed.
‘He already found out? That was fast.’
He thought it would take at least half a year, maybe even a year, but it was unexpected. After all, the Fitzroy family doctor was famous for having a wide network.
Not only was he excellent in medicine, but his family used to buy and sell medicinal herbs, so he knew many people. That was also why Ryan asked him to look into it.
‘Then I can meet the family doctor today.’
At this point, Hendrick going to the palace seemed like a golden opportunity in many ways. If he had been here, it would have been difficult to meet the family doctor separately.
“I’ll get the checkup on my own.”
“Will you?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re not just saying that and not actually doing it, right?”
“I’m not!”
“Okay.”
Catherine narrowed her eyes and looked at Ryan, then turned the subject as if she would let it slide this once.
“Starting today, His Highness went to the palace for successor lessons, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
But that was also an unpleasant topic for Ryan.
“He’s busy with wedding preparations these days, and he’s doing other things too, he’s really amazing.”
“Well… I guess it’s good that he’s taking care of multiple things since he said he had someone to meet.”
“Someone to meet? Who is it?”
“Huh?”
“I’m curious why you’re making that expression if His Highness is meeting someone.”
What about my expression? Ryan rubbed his cheek with the back of his hand for no reason. Not that it would help him figure out anything.
“So cute. Our Ryan knows how to be jealous too.”
“Jealous!”
Ryan showed such an intense reaction that even his body swayed. But Catherine only gave him a look that seemed to say she understood his heart well.
“No. It’s not like that!”
“Hmm. Okay, let’s say it’s not.”
“It’s true.”
Why don’t you believe me! I’m curious how Hendrick manipulated the family.
“Okay, okay. I got it. Our baby, I really thought you were all grown up, but I guess not. No, you’ve grown up now, so you’re dating and getting married with youthful passion, and being jealous and all that.”
She doesn’t believe me at all. Catherine covered her mouth with her hand and laughed, even teasing him. Ryan, who realized that there was no point in saying more, just shut his mouth.
‘This is why I can’t say anything more.’
Out of worry that she might be shocked if he spilled the truth. Not knowing that others’ hearts were burning, both Hendrick and the family were extremely carefree.
Still, the time spent eating snacks alone with Catherine for a change was quite fun and relaxing.
But that too began to change every moment after he was alone again, thinking about Hendrick who wasn’t returning.
“What the. The sun is almost setting, why isn’t he coming? Don’t tell me they’re having dinner together? Or did they go somewhere else to hang out?”
Ryan, who was muttering to himself while rubbing his stomach, busily paced back and forth on the balcony that had a clear view of the main gate.
He didn’t really want to, but the image of Hendrick talking and laughing with Julian kept popping up arbitrarily in his head.
“Ah, seriously. Why am I like this.”
He even felt a sense of crisis that he himself might act faithfully according to the original story at this rate.
‘No. Absolutely not.’
Thinking that he shouldn’t just stay at home, Ryan hastily ventured out. It would be a good excuse anyway, since he had to get a checkup from the family doctor.
After instructing the servant to bring the carriage and informing them that he would have dinner outside, he left the house as is.
Right after, a carriage carrying Hendrick was hurriedly approaching the Earl’s house, but he had no idea about that fact.