The Villain's End Is Pregnancy - c87
At Liam’s shouted words, Ryan’s eyes widened. Because in an instant, a memory he had forgotten surged up.
The note warning him to control his pheromones, asking if he was pregnant, and inadvertently spotting Liam from inside the carriage standing at the restaurant entrance.
And even his meaningful smile as he showed something.
“You gave this note to Ryan?”
The king asked as he re-examined the contents written on the paper.
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
This time too, Liam answered immediately. His face was filled with a triumphant light.
“I see. Alright, who are you and explain the reason for writing this.”
The king promptly addressed the omega noble who appeared as a witness. Then the omega noble revealed his identity and disclosed the whole story from the restaurant.
“As written, typically being unable to control pheromones like this commonly occurs in pregnant omegas. So I thought it best to be careful before a big problem arises and delivered the note.”
“See, Your Majesty! The one there with him was none other than a man named Julian. Then whose child could Ryan be carrying?”
As soon as the omega noble finished speaking, Liam interjected again this time too. The king, who heard the omega noble’s story, nodded as if asking if that was so.
Then he accurately pointed out the flaw in Liam’s assertion.
“Yes, I understand that Ryan is pregnant. But you can’t say it’s Viscount Dilane’s child, can you?”
“That, that’s true, but… if not, why would the two be together?”
“If they’re just acquaintances, that could happen. Do you have any other witnesses or evidence to present?”
Liam made a flustered expression at the king’s continued questioning. The king, who had been quietly watching him, spoke again.
“That seems like an issue we need to confirm by summoning this Julian Dilane fellow. But before that, Ryan, I’ll ask again. It’s true that you’re pregnant, right?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It’s true.”
At this point, there was no way he could make excuses saying he wasn’t pregnant anymore. But it was also difficult to say the child’s father was Hendrick.
‘Is it really?’
Suddenly, Ryan had that question. Until now, he naturally thought Hendrick would end up with Julian, so he hid it.
Moreover, he was convinced Hendrick had no feelings for him.
But what he had heard so far and Hendrick’s expressions and actions were telling Ryan that he was mistaken.
Then was there any reason to hide it?
Ryan’s gaze lowered. In his belly that wasn’t even showing yet, a child was breathing.
“You must answer truthfully, Ryan. Then whose child is it?”
Still, it would have been nice if he could have told Hendrick first.
It was upsetting that things got twisted and the person who should hear it wasn’t here. Even so, he didn’t want to keep being misunderstood as carrying someone else’s child.
When there was already someone who said he loved him. Even when he said it wasn’t his child, he cherished and cared for him.
“This child is…”
Just as Ryan, who had made up his mind, was about to continue.
“Please wait a moment!”
“You can’t just barge in!”
Suddenly, shouts from several people were heard from outside.
“Your Highness!”
But more than anything, what captured Ryan’s attention was the last cry calling for someone.
Bam!
At the same time Ryan turned his head, the door flew open with a bang.
“What on earth are you doing!”
The one who appeared with an enraged voice was Hendrick. Behind him were knights and attendants who couldn’t stop the prince and followed with evident fluster.
Hendrick was completely different from usual. His complexion had hardened, his breath was ragged, his hair was disheveled, his attire unkempt.
But more than anything, what captivated Ryan’s gaze was his desperate eyes directed at him.
‘Why does he have that expression?’
Why on earth was he like that? That question pushed to the tip of his tongue. But he couldn’t ask.
“How rude, Hendrick. How dare you barge in without my permission!”
Because before that, the king sternly reprimanded Hendrick.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. But I had no choice after hearing Ryan was dragged away.”
Even while apologizing, Hendrick strode towards Ryan. Then, before anyone could stop him, he swiftly untied the rope tightly binding his pale wrists.
“Still, Your Majesty, did you have to go so far as to restrain him and drag him here like this?”
Tossing the rope to the floor, Hendrick looked up at the king. As if representing his discomfort, the pheromones of the prime alpha spread out like blades in all directions.
Sensing the threatening energy, the dynamic noble s stepped back, gulping, and the king and queen also frowned.
Ryan too covered his belly, panting at the sudden pressure.
“Hendrick, withdraw your pheromones at once!”
The king shouted sternly again. Hendrick tried to refuse, but hearing a groan beside him belatedly, he came to his senses with a start.
“Ryan, are you alright?”
Then he fretfully examined Ryan. At the prince’s unusual behavior, the king let out an exasperated sigh.
“For now, Hendrick, there’s something you’re misunderstanding. I issued an order for Ryan to enter the palace, not to forcibly bring him in.”
“Then why was Ryan in this state?”
Hendrick argued, showing Ryan’s wrists that had turned dark red. The king also clicked his tongue, looking that way.
“It seems the message was delivered incorrectly, and I failed to pay attention. That’s my fault. Ryan, I apologize to you as well.”
Even at the king’s words admitting his mistake and expressing regret, Hendrick’s hardened expression showed no sign of easing. Seeing his mouth open as if to object again at any moment, Ryan quickly grasped his arm and bowed his head towards the king.
“It’s alright, Your Majesty. It was something that could sufficiently happen. And Hendrick, you stop too.”
If this continued, it would be seen as discord between the king and the prince to the nobles. He was already hearing talk that Hendrick was being deceived and swayed by him, and he didn’t want to fan the flames.
Hendrick’s gaze fell on the arm Ryan grabbed, then went straight up to his face.
“I’m sorry for being late, Ryan. You can be angry at me for not being by your side.”
His eyebrows drooped heavily, and his eyes meeting Ryan’s were filled with deep regret and self-reproach.
“Why are you apologizing?”
Rather, the one in the wrong was himself. Unnecessarily meeting Julian under the pretext of doing it for Hendrick, causing absurd misunderstandings, and lying that the child wasn’t his.
And after doing that, not properly telling the truth to him who said he would marry him, just buying time day after day until it led to the worst result.
‘So let’s be honest now.’
About my feelings too, and about who the child’s father is.
Ryan removed Hendrick’s hand that held him as if he were fragile glass without any strength. For a moment, his eyes were trembling finely.
He must have thought Ryan was trying to let go just like that. So he quickly flipped his palm and held it back. Not only that, he firmly interlocked their fingers.
This time, Hendrick widened his eyes and even dazedly opened his mouth.
‘How cute.’
Ryan, who unconsciously thought that, inwardly shouted fighting and looked at the king. Gripping the clasped hand tightly, this time he opened his mouth without hesitation.
“Your Majesty, I will tell you. The father of the child in my belly is His Highness Prince Hendrick.”
And he looked at Hendrick again. Filling it with sincerity that he wished he could have heard the truth Ryan was revealing now first.
“It is your child. I’m sorry for deceiving you all this time, Hendrick.”
For a moment, he saw Hendrick’s eyes tremble. Was he startled? Could it be he really never thought it was his child, is that why? Were your expressions and actions until now all lies?
“But if you have no intention of taking responsibility, you don’t have to…”
Just because he showed a shaken appearance, Ryan’s heart wavered too. He felt hurt that Hendrick didn’t even remember denying it.
“Ryan! What are you saying?”
Before Ryan could even finish speaking, Hendrick quickly said as if shouting and approached. Not only that, he knelt on one knee right in front of him.
“Thank you, Ryan. Thank you so much.”
Hendrick’s large hand covered Ryan’s hand that had turned cold from tension. He repeated his gratitude twice, which didn’t suit him.
On his face was a reflection of overwhelming emotion, and Ryan couldn’t take his eyes off it.