* * *

Felix stayed at the royal palace during his time in the capital.

His quarters were so well-guarded that Lowell couldn’t just march in uninvited to meet him.

‘Thankfully, the timing worked out.’

Lowell was grateful it was a holiday.

Felix rarely left his room on weekdays unless it was for knight training, but on holidays, he’d slip away from his guards to go out.

And his destination was always Swain Hill.

Lowell didn’t know why Felix went there.

In the novel, it was only briefly mentioned in the scene where the protagonist, Robin—later the Empress—was discovered hiding on Swain Hill by Felix.

‘I’ll figure it out when I get there. Honestly, I’m terrified of how he’ll react when I tell him.’

After stepping down from the carriage, Lowell instructed the coachman to wait and confirmed that he was indeed heading toward Swain Hill.

“That’s where Felix should be.”

In Lowell’s mind, Felix wasn’t the type to harm a pregnant person.

That was the thought he clung to while riding in the carriage.

But his confidence wavered as he got closer.

‘Even if he thinks I approached him on purpose, he wouldn’t get violent… right?’

As he climbed the hill, Lowell began mentally preparing himself to take a hit.

‘One punch won’t kill me. My body’s weak as it is, but it’s not that fragile.’

By the time he reached the top, Lowell had accepted the idea that Felix might strike him.

“Is it over there?”

Gripping his trembling legs after only a short walk, Lowell scanned the area for any sign of Felix.

Just as he began doubting his memory, he spotted a handsome man cloaked in a dark aura.

“Felix—”

Lowell instinctively covered his mouth mid-sentence.

Before Felix stood a small memorial, clearly meant for someone he was mourning.

‘Damn.’

There was only one person Felix would mourn: his mother.

She had passed away when he was young, weakened after giving birth to him.

She couldn’t even be buried in the royal family’s crypt due to the Emperor’s tyranny.

‘If I’d known it was this kind of moment, I wouldn’t have come.’

Lowell watched from a distance, not wanting to intrude.

What he saw next, however, left him stunned.

‘Is he… crying?’

Felix’s eyes glistened with tears.

They didn’t fall, but they were unmistakably there.

His mother had been the only one to show him any warmth.

His father, the former Duke, blamed Felix for his wife’s death and neglected him, while others treated him with fear or contempt.

‘Family, huh.’

Lowell’s mouth felt bitter.

He, too, had lost his family early.

A thought struck him like a lightning bolt.

‘If Felix had even one real family member, would he have been able to live a normal life?’

Caught in his thoughts, Lowell startled at the sudden movement of a squirrel, causing him to lose his balance.

“Who’s there?”

Felix, his eyes still red, immediately reacted to the noise.

It didn’t take long for their eyes to meet.

“Haha… hello, Your Grace.”

Lowell forced an awkward smile and bowed slightly.

Felix’s brows furrowed deeply.

“You again?”

He only realized how disheveled he must look after the words left his mouth, his ears flushing red.

Lowell easily picked up on his emotions.

‘He’s embarrassed. He really is still a kid.’

Feeling a bit guilty for thinking Felix might hit him, Lowell spoke carefully.

“It’s fortunate I happened to run into you, Your Grace.”

Lowell deliberately emphasized the word happened.

“What now? I have no interest in talking to you. Leave.”

Felix turned away abruptly, as if trying to hide his face.

Lowell had no intention of letting him go.

“There’s something I must tell you.”

Though Felix flinched, he didn’t move or look back.

Lowell realized he wouldn’t have many chances to meet Felix again.

It might not be the best time, but this was the only opportunity to tell the truth.

“Your Grace, I’m carrying your child.”

Felix, who had been intent on ignoring Lowell entirely, spun around.

“What did you say?”

“I’ve decided to have the baby.”

Felix, visibly shaken by Lowell’s bombshell revelation, fell into stunned silence.

Lowell seized the moment to continue.

“I believe you’ll be a good father.”

Lowell had no intention of letting Felix shirk his responsibilities as a father.

Whether Felix wanted to be a good father or not didn’t matter—Lowell was determined to make it happen.

He calculated that if Felix had a family to care for and a sense of responsibility, there’d be no time for him to consider becoming the Demon King.

“Are you saying you’re going to raise that child with me?”

Felix asked, his gaze fixed intently on Lowell’s stomach.

Since it had only been a short while since conception, there were no visible changes yet.

Even so, Felix stared as if something might reveal itself if he looked hard enough, unable to tear his eyes away.

“Of course. Or are you planning to abandon the child irresponsibly, Your Grace?”

At Lowell’s brazen retort, Felix’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

After calming himself from the brief exchange, Felix raked his fingers through his hair and started to argue back.

“And how can you be so certain it’s my child?”

“You’re the only one I spent the night with, Your Grace.”

Felix let out a scoffing laugh, turning his head to the side.

The sunset painted his profile a deep red.

Lowell noticed Felix struggling to maintain his composure and decided to push further.

Lowell never got pregnant in the original story. There’s no way it isn’t Felix’s child.

He was certain of it.

“Judging by your past behavior, it seems like you’ve lived quite the messy life. Why should I believe you?”

“Whether you believe it or not, the truth won’t change, Your Grace. The temple likely already knows by now.”

“What?”

At the mention of the temple, Felix’s expression twisted.

Lowell, unfazed, found himself idly admiring how handsome Felix remained even when angered.

“The priest who confirmed my pregnancy must have already reported it to the temple. Considering this happened not long after the oracle of Kael descended, it’s only natural they’d assume it’s your child.”

Felix’s frown deepened, unable to refute Lowell’s words.

“Please don’t let our child be branded as illegitimate.”

At the mention of the word illegitimate, Felix’s pupils trembled.

He knew all too well the disgrace and mistreatment illegitimate children faced in noble society—and especially in the imperial family.

Though he himself wasn’t illegitimate, he’d been treated similarly, and the memory lingered.

Lowell could sense Felix’s resolve wavering.

“If this is some scheme to get close to me, let me make one thing clear—it won’t work. If you’re in cahoots with the temple, you’d better stop now. You’ve probably heard the rumors. My sword doesn’t discriminate.”

His tone was firm, but he couldn’t even meet Lowell’s gaze.

Lowell deduced that Felix’s hostility stemmed from lingering doubts.

Even if Felix drew his sword at this very moment, Lowell felt confident he wouldn’t falter.

“In that case, why don’t we make a contract?”

Lowell’s suggestion was bold. Felix tilted his chin slightly, signaling for him to elaborate.

“Keep me by your side and see for yourself if I’m trustworthy. If I do anything suspicious, you can kill me anytime. Wouldn’t it be easier for you to deal with me directly than to risk an unexpected problem later?”

Lowell’s words carried an implicit threat: Ignore me, and you’ll regret it.

Felix caught on and let out a deep sigh.

“You don’t seem to value your life very much.”

Felix muttered quietly.

Lowell responded matter-of-factly, saying he had nothing to fear since he wasn’t planning to do anything suspicious.

Then he continued with his proposal.

“If you still have doubts, you can confirm after the child is born whether it’s yours. We can have the wedding then.”

“The wedding?”

Felix’s face twisted in shock.

* * *