The Villain's End Is Pregnancy - c82
“Get up.”
It was just a few minutes after the young nobleman left. Hendrick, who had stood up from the chair first, said to Ryan.
“Why?”
“There’s a place I want to go for a bit.”
What’s this? Why is he smiling so meaningfully? Even though Ryan was giving him a very suspicious look, Hendrick didn’t stop his gentle expression.
“Tell me the reason.”
“You’ll know when you go.”
“It seems suspicious…”
Even as he said that, Ryan left the room following him. It was because he was curious about what scheme he had up his sleeve. On the other hand, there was also a belief that he wouldn’t do anything harmful to him.
“Huh? What’s with the carriage?”
But when he went outside, what greeted Ryan was a royal carriage.
“Are you saying we should go out?”
If that’s the case, he should have told him in advance so he could change clothes or prepare separately. Instead of answering, Hendrick personally opened the carriage door.
When Ryan was giving him a dumbfounded look as if asking what he was supposed to do, an unexpected face peeked out through the open door.
“Oh?”
A small, black, round creature.
“Meow!”
When Ryan called, the cat jumped out of the carriage as if it had been waiting. Then it quickly ran to Hendrick’s feet and rubbed its face against his ankle.
“I called, but he goes to you.”
Even as he spoke sulkily, Ryan quickly squatted down and reached out his hand. The cat was so clever that it didn’t run away and let him pet its head, which was cute, but before that, his upper body was lifted up first.
“Don’t sit like that.”
“Why?”
“You need to be careful.”
“Ah…”
Ryan, who understood what he needed to be careful about without being told, opened his mouth. In the meantime, the cat approached Ryan’s feet and was tapping them with its long tail.
“What? Are you acknowledging me now?”
It seemed to be the cat’s way of greeting, so a smile escaped Ryan’s lips. Then, as if to appease him, it raised its tiny face.
“You seem to have done well even alone. Your fur is shining.”
Since he was told not to sit down, Ryan had no choice but to slightly bend his waist and examine the cat from various angles. The fur was sleek, and it hadn’t lost any weight, so it seemed like it had been doing fine.
“I told you not to worry. He’s a fellow that everyone adores.”
It was more like they couldn’t neglect the prince’s cat, but he didn’t bother to say that.
“Right. Then why did you bring him from the palace? He’s not scared at all and is very calm.”
Even as Ryan scolded Hendrick, he couldn’t take his eyes off the cat. Eventually, he picked up the small body and held it in his arms, grinning brightly.
“You’d be bored staying at home alone. I thought it would be nice for you two to play together. As you can see, he’s not having a hard time moving houses either.”
“That’s true. Who does he take after to have such good adaptability? Huh?”
He raised the cat to eye level with both hands and rubbed his nose against the cute bridge of its nose. The moist and soft feeling was nice.
Perhaps because it had been a long time since they met, the cat obediently let Ryan do as he pleased. Not only that, it accompanied them to their meals, followed along when Ryan was discussing the mine issue with Count Fitzroy, and stayed by his side until night, showing affection, so the smile didn’t leave Ryan’s lips.
He even tried to take the cat to the bedroom, so he had a brief argument with Hendrick.
“You might not be able to sleep properly because you’ll be worried for nothing. So you should rest separately.”
“What is there to worry about? The bed is big too. Rather, it’s warm and cozy, so I think I’ll be able to sleep deeply.”
When Ryan retorted, Hendrick’s mouth closed. Judging by his eyes, he seemed to be dissatisfied with something but had nothing to say.
“You should go and rest now too. You said you’re leaving early tomorrow morning.”
“…Okay. Then only sleep with him when I’m not here.”
What’s that about? Saying it like that makes it sound like he’s jealous of him sleeping with the cat. Ryan chuckled.
“Are you really saying he’s your substitute? That’s funny. Alright. We’ll just play together until you come back. Satisfied?”
Of course, Hendrick wouldn’t be like that, but Ryan spoke in a tone that suggested he was being considerate. For some reason, his handsome face seemed to soften a bit more at those words.
“Go now. Sleep well. Come back safely.”
“Okay. I’ll handle it as quickly as possible and come back. Contact me if any problem arises.”
“Even if it’s not you, the family will take care of that much.”
“I know. But just in case, you know? In case you feel like contacting me.”
Why is he acting so cute in a way that doesn’t suit him? Ryan looked at Hendrick, who was saying nonsensical things and telling him to contact him, then slyly stroked the cat’s head. It made his insides tickle and his toes wiggle.
Every time this happened, he couldn’t quite adapt to it and felt somewhat embarrassed.
“I said I get it. I’ll just go in first.”
Feeling like he shouldn’t drag on the time any longer, Ryan greeted him roughly and hurriedly opened the door.
“Okay, Ryan. Sleep well.”
Hendrick’s gentle voice was heard from behind. This time, it felt like fur was touching his back, tickling him. Instead of answering, he just nodded and moved to the bedroom.
Only after the door closed did he let out a long sigh and flopped down on the bed. As he had told Hendrick, the cat took a spot next to him.
“Hendrick said he’ll handle the mine issue. He said he discussed the Hydrian with His Majesty… Then I just need to check if the book work is going well and focus on taking care of my body.”
While gently stroking his flat belly and popping a piece of fruit into his mouth, he felt a fluffy sensation on the back of his hand and lowered his gaze. The cat was moving its long tail, following Ryan’s hand.
“Do you know too? That I’m pregnant.”
He asked and continued in a whisper.
“Just keep it between us. Actually, the father of this child is Hendrick.”
It was something he couldn’t bring himself to tell anyone. That’s why Ryan had never mentioned who the biological father of the child was.
“Hendrick’s child…”
Was that why? Those words coming out of his mouth and reaching his ears sounded truly unfamiliar. He absentmindedly looked up at the ceiling, stroking his belly.
He couldn’t hide it forever. He knew that. With each passing day, the situation was gradually going in an unintended direction.
“What should I do…”
But agonizing over it every day made it difficult to make a decision.
At the same time, Ryan thought that he was slowly changing the future. The proof was that Hendrick was acting completely differently from the original story.
‘He said he loves me.’
Couldn’t he believe those words a little?
‘No. Still, not yet…’
Perhaps because his feelings were complicated, it was a particularly sleepless night. Ryan kept waking up from sleep, and when he saw the sky outside the window turning bluish, he abruptly sat up.
“Since I can’t sleep anyway.”
Making a pointless excuse even though no one was listening, he slyly got off the bed. He was about to walk forward when a small rustle beside him made him turn his head.
He saw the cat tilting its head.
“Right. You were here too.”
Recalling the being that had been watching over him tossing and turning all night, Ryan hugged him. Then he felt a more stable feeling.
“I should thank Hendrick.”
Yesterday he had grumbled, but now he realized there was nothing better than this. Thinking of him made Ryan’s heart hasten, and he immediately left the room. In the still dark corridor, only faint candlelight flickered.
It was quick to get outside. After looking at the quiet building to see if anyone was awake, he sighed, “Phew.” Fortunately, it seemed like he wasn’t late.
Hugging the cat a little tighter, he was just passing through the entrance then.
“Ryan?”
Even in the darkness, his tall and handsome figure stood out. Ryan stopped abruptly at the voice calling out in surprise.
On the other hand, he strode over from that direction.
“Oh my. Did you come to see me off?”
As if that was such a big deal. The handsome face brightened visibly. Strange. Hendrick wasn’t originally someone who showed his emotions so well.
“I just, well, woke up so I came.”
“Still, I’m glad. I can see your face before I go.”
“Hmph.”
Even as he snorted and put on an expression that it was no big deal, Ryan kept glancing at Hendrick. Unlike him who had barely slept properly all night, he seemed to have rested well.
Somehow, unlike the dark surroundings, Hendrick’s face seemed to glow.
‘What am I saying?’
Then, suddenly realizing what he was doing, he felt absurd. He was about to say something to change the mood, but Hendrick opened his mouth first.
“He must have slept in your arms all night.”
“Yeah. Thanks to him.”
“…I see. Just get along well with him while I’m gone.”
“What are you saying… As if you’re really jealous.”
Oops, he must be dazed from lack of sleep. The words that should have stayed in his mind came out, judging by the look of it. Ryan hurried to deny it.
“My, you only realized it now?”
This time too, Hendrick spoke first. His eyes were serious without a hint of jest.