Became Pregnant With the Demon King’s Child

Lowell instinctively knew that Felix had been thinking hard about how to bring up this topic long before he’d even opened his eyes.
Did he end up choosing the direct approach after agonizing over how to say it?
He had no way of knowing for sure—but it was clear Felix had clumsily tried to imitate him. Because Lowell had always preferred frankness and honesty, Felix wanted to offer the same in return.

“I don’t hate the tower. It’s cozy, everything I need is prepared for me, and I get to be with you all the time. The reason I wanted to leave was because it felt like you were locking me up because you didn’t trust me.”
Lowell wet his lips with water and continued.
“But as you know, Your Grace, I had things I used to do at the main castle. Being confined here doesn’t suit my nature.”

Lowell, naturally diligent by temperament, couldn’t stand lying in bed all the time—even if it was physically more comfortable.
“I understand.”
“So, what I was thinking is—what if I only come to the tower at night? I’ll spend my days at the main castle, and return to the tower when the sun sets.”

“You can do whatever you want.”
Felix had learned that while distrusting and restraining someone was easy, trusting them and letting go was far more correct—and he’d decided to follow that path.
“But when I’m not around, I’ll have the escort knights stay within two meters of you at all times. I’ll assign more of them, too. It’s not because I don’t trust you—it’s necessary.”

“I understand.”
Lowell’s head throbbed from the fact that he had to confront what he’d most wanted to avoid.
“It’s because of the imperial family, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It looks like you were the target this time, but really, it was all to lure me back to the palace somehow.”
Lowell nodded weakly. He felt like the food in his stomach was going to come back up.
It’s not just about dragging him back—they’re planning to fabricate a crime to take him down. Once he’s turned into the Demon King, they’ll declare him a criminal and use him as material for forbidden magic.

There were two reasons Lowell hadn’t said anything despite knowing all this. First, most of the elements that could push Felix toward demonization had already been removed. Second, he had believed that if they just waited, the Crown Prince—the original protagonist—would eventually deal with the Emperor himself.
But since the situation’s changed, I should’ve accounted for them adapting their strategy too.
Lowell hadn’t expected the Emperor to move so quickly, especially so far from the capital where his influence barely reached—especially by using him.
So they’re convinced now that Felix treasures me, after what happened with the assassination attempt.

If they left things as-is, new attacks would keep coming. They were still in the middle of reorganizing Nyx and the Grand Duke’s castle. If they’d had just a bit more time, they might have been ready to block those schemes—but right now, they were still in a transitional phase.
And transitions are always the most vulnerable stage.
Lowell squeezed every possibility he could think of, trying to find a way to overcome this challenge. The fact that he already understood the Emperor and his faction’s goals—and what they might plan to achieve them—was a huge advantage.

“Lowell, you don’t need to look so worried.”
When Lowell’s silence dragged on, Felix seemed to fear the worst and made an effort to soften his tone. But Lowell was only thinking. His rigid expression finally relaxed.
It’ll work out.

In a world full of variables, Lowell had developed the habit of optimistic thinking as a way to protect himself.
“I’m not worried. I was just thinking about how we can protect ourselves.”
“Ourselves?”

Felix unconsciously frowned at the word ourselves, as if the phrasing felt unfamiliar—but quickly smoothed his expression. He was trying not to come off as intimidating. Unfortunately, Lowell was too caught up in his own thoughts to notice.
“Yes. You, me, and the little one.”
Lowell gently rubbed his belly, which showed no visible change yet. Felix shut his mouth tight. He sometimes muttered, Do you really have to call it something so ridiculous?—but this time, his reaction was different. He looked like someone who’d been hit with a sneak attack.

“And more than that, I want this castle and Nyx to be safe too. It’s the land you’ve worked so hard to protect.”
“I only did my duty. Nothing special.”
“Fulfilling your duty is the right thing. But doing the right thing is always harder than doing the wrong.”

Lowell liked that Felix didn’t expect anything in return for doing such great things—not even recognizing them as achievements. But he also didn’t want Felix to undervalue what he had accomplished.
“You’re the only one who says that.”
“Then everyone else is too stingy.”

At Lowell’s intentionally light tone, Felix let out a low chuckle. He had begun to learn how to laugh naturally now that the burden on his heart had eased—and Lowell liked that about him. The stern face that often made him look harsh would completely disappear the moment he smiled, leaving only a young man looking at the person he loved. There was nothing more attractive to Lowell than the happiness that softened that strong face.
Felix pressed his fingers to his temple and thought for a while before finally speaking again.
“A letter came from the Crown Prince two days ago, written in code. There were no signs it came from him, but it used a cipher he once showed me as a child. And it included content that only he and I would know. So I’m sure it’s from him. At first, I planned to ignore it—because it coincided too perfectly with the Emperor’s message. I thought the two of them might be conspiring.”

Lowell felt a sharp spark ignite in his mind. The Crown Prince had been looking for someone trustworthy to help him—and Felix had been among those candidates.
But with the Emperor watching closely, he probably couldn’t send a clear signal. The subtle signs must’ve gone unnoticed by Felix.
But this time, Felix hadn’t overlooked it. His desperate desire to protect Lowell had made him catch it. Lowell, struck by the timing like a divine revelation, silently thanked the god he didn’t even believe in.

But why is he telling me all this? Is he trying to prove he trusts me—by showing he has nothing to hide?
Lowell hadn’t expected Felix to go this far with his honesty. He was surprised—but the reason became clear quickly.
“If I trust the contents of that letter, I’ll have to leave Nyx next week—for about a week. It’s not far, but to avoid being discovered, I’ll have to make the route complicated. Still, I can’t take you with me somewhere that isn’t fully secure. I’ll assign more knights to guard you, but it’ll still be risky.”

Lowell understood that Felix was explaining a situation where he’d have to leave.
If he’s saying this much, then he’s definitely decided to go.
He wasn’t the type to raise alarms over something uncertain. And for Lowell, this was actually a good thing.

“But I have to go. If it’s a trap, there’s still time to escape. But if it’s a real opportunity—missing it means it’s over. You don’t get second chances. Not on the battlefield, and not off it either.”
“Then go.”
Just as Felix said, this was a chance. A chance to get on the safest ship and ride out the strongest current. Lowell wasn’t foolish enough to demand he give that up for a threat that might not even exist.

“You’re {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} really okay with this?”
“I don’t want my existence to keep you from making the better choice. You’ve already judged this to be the right path. I’ll do what I can here.”
“Good.”

Nothing more needed to be said. Felix returned to his papers, and Lowell settled into the sofa with a book in hand. Though he didn’t turn a page—busy mentally organizing the new information—the room still felt like a return to everyday peace.
“That brat’s leaving tomorrow too.”
“Then we should see him off properly. How about a farewell meal together? I always missed out before.”

“Do we have to?”
Zephyros was clearly on Felix’s bad side. And truthfully, Lowell wasn’t exactly fond of him either. But guilt had started to creep in—about how they’d ganged up on a clueless, naive boy and used him. The idea of the three of them together again was absurd, and he had no desire to meet one-on-one either. A polite goodbye was the best option.
“I just want to end it on a good note.”

“There’s no need, but… if that’s what you want, we’ll greet him together.”
Felix still looked displeased, but he didn’t object.
***

At the farewell meal they’d arranged for the occasion, Zephyros blushed every time he made eye contact with Lowell.
Now what on earth is going on here?