Became Pregnant With the Demon King’s Child

When Zephyros had first entered, Lowell noticed him avoiding eye contact and thought it understandable.
He probably thinks he got caught up in something between me and Felix and ended up paying the price. I’ll show him that we’re treating it like nothing happened—he’ll relax and leave quietly.
That light assumption shattered in less than ten minutes.

“Today, the chef recommends roasted venison with mushrooms.”
Intending to offer a gesture of reconciliation, Lowell deliberately addressed Zephyros first. But the prince fumbled visibly, unable to figure out where to look, and stammered, “I-I see. I’ll… eat well—no, thank you for the meal.”
This was someone who had chatted casually with Felix just earlier. There was no reason to be afraid of Lowell now.

And anyone can see it…
Watching Zephyros fan himself with his hand, neck flushed red from heat, Lowell shut his eyes tightly. He couldn’t understand why, after all that chaos, Zephyros still seemed to have feelings for him.
When did this even happen? What moment could’ve made him fall for me?

At the very least, up until the time he passed that note, Zephyros had never shown this kind of blatant affection. It was obvious enough now that even Felix—who hardly paid attention to anyone’s feelings aside from Lowell’s—was raising an eyebrow and glaring at him.
The meal, meant to ease tensions, now seemed like it would only make things worse. If someone asked who in this world never did what Lowell expected, he’d name Zephyros without hesitation.
“If you keep looking at him like that—”

Unable to hold back, Felix started to issue a warning, but Lowell gave him a subtle glance. And just as Felix paused mid-sentence, Lowell skillfully filled the silence.
“It’s a shame today is your last day. I’ll pray to the god of travel, Herma, for your safe journey to the capital.”
He placed extra emphasis on last day, and Felix, catching the intention, scowled deeper but didn’t continue with the warning.

“Thank you.”
Zephyros, completely missing Lowell’s nuance, simply looked pleased by the offer of a prayer. Lowell couldn’t help wondering what kind of place Maia must be for such a clueless prince to survive.
Or maybe… he’s adored precisely because he’s that politically oblivious? No one would see him as competition.

Lowell was starting to feel genuinely sorry for the young man.
“Lowell.”
As he clicked his tongue quietly, Felix called his name in a grim tone.
“Yes?”

Lowell answered reflexively while cutting meat with his knife, then quickly set down his fork when he saw Felix’s expression.
“I’ll say this just in case you don’t realize it—but you shouldn’t look at other Alphas like that.”
Felix spoke as sternly as a teacher lecturing a student about chastity. Lowell, who hadn’t even a gram of impure intent toward Zephyros, felt thoroughly wronged but had no way to argue. He couldn’t exactly say Well, Alphas shouldn’t look at Omegas that way either, since Felix didn’t stare at anyone—regardless of gender or status.

And honestly, he had no idea what kind of reply would even work, so he just stared wide-eyed. Felix added,
“There are plenty of men who’ll take a single glance from you as a sign of serious interest. Doesn’t even have to be an Alpha.”
The dining room fell into silence. The atmosphere turned cold as if someone had poured ice water over it. The only one radiating heat was Lowell. What Felix said was effectively the same as proclaiming that Lowell was so beautiful anyone would fall for him. No one at the table—except Lowell—expected the Grand Duke to say something so embarrassing, so everyone else sat in stunned confusion.

“That’s not true. That’s just how I look in your eyes, Your Grace.”
Parched from the rising heat in his body, Lowell gulped down some water before managing a denial. If Zephyros had even a shred of tact, he might’ve stepped in with something like Yes, Lowell is lovely, but I have someone else in my heart, to break the tension—but of course, that was beyond his capabilities.
“Is that so?”

Felix’s cold eyes locked onto Zephyros. The Grand Duke stayed visibly displeased for the rest of the meal, while Zephyros fidgeted helplessly. Lowell, for his part, could only pray the meal would end and Zephyros would leave the castle—the sooner, the better.
***
After the meal, Zephyros and his retinue quickly made preparations to depart. It would’ve been ideal to leave at sunrise, but the meal had delayed them. Lowell lamented the wasted time.

“Then I look forward to the day we meet again.”
“If such a day ever comes.”
Felix made it abundantly clear he hoped they’d never cross paths again. Zephyros didn’t seem bothered by the blunt remark and instead kept sneaking glances at Lowell. Lowell, already sick of it, felt like raising a toast once the boy was completely gone.

“They’re gone.”
After saying their farewells, Lowell spoke as he headed toward the study with a light step.
“Yes. Good riddance.”

Since Felix had spent more time around Zephyros, Lowell figured he had every right to be tired and nodded in agreement.
“No more guests for a while, please.”
“I feel the same.”

Lowell hadn’t actually faced Zephyros much, since he’d mostly avoided him. Still, the whole situation had been such a drawn-out ordeal that it felt like scaling a mountain. As soon as he opened the study door, Lowell slumped onto the sofa, exhausted. He meant to read, but his body was so worn out he couldn’t even move a finger. He just closed his eyes.
Unlike lazy Lowell, Felix stayed at his desk to check urgent documents. Only after finishing did he approach the wide, newly added sofa where Lowell lay. Lowell assumed Felix would sit beside him and scooted over slightly—but Felix knelt on the floor instead, meeting his eyes.
“What are you doing down there?”

“How’s your back? I’m worried that walking earlier might’ve strained it.”
Lowell had walked so little he could count his steps. He figured it was time to let Felix know that ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ carrying him around might not actually be better—but one look at Felix’s content expression while doing so made it hard to bring it up.
“It was just a short walk. And they say walking is better for back pain.”

“Really?”
Felix looked doubtful, but Lowell nodded firmly. His legs were starting to feel like they’d rust otherwise.
“Yes. It’s still aching a little today, but nothing serious. I think it’s something most pregnant people deal with.”

Lowell spoke frankly about his condition, but Felix still frowned as if even that was too much.
“Why can’t pain be shared? What’s the point of marking if I can’t even take that from you?”
He muttered with genuine frustration. It wasn’t even directed at Lowell—it was closer to a pained monologue, which only made it feel more sincere. Lowell lightly flicked Felix’s furrowed brow with his finger. It was a ridiculously rude gesture for anyone to make toward a Grand Duke, but Felix didn’t stop him. And Lowell knew he wouldn’t—so he didn’t bother being careful.

Such a handsome face, and you're letting it wrinkle. What a waste.
A large hand gently massaged Lowell’s back. Though Felix had never done this for anyone before, he seemed to know exactly how to loosen the muscles. Lowell guessed it was something he’d picked up during his life as a warrior.
“If you really felt it, you’d think it was nothing special. You’d probably regret taking it on.”

Lowell purred contentedly like a sunbathing cat, eyes closed in pleasure. Felix’s hands paused briefly, then started moving again.
“No… I wouldn’t. No matter how big or small the pain is—if I could take it from you, I would. And I’d be grateful to do it.”
He cleared his throat afterward, and Lowell cracked open one eye to glance at his ear. Felix always flushed there when he was embarrassed.

Tomato red. Cute.
Lowell found it funny that someone so big would say something so bashful and then blush like that.
If you're going to get that embarrassed, maybe don’t say it in the first place. Though I do like hearing it.

Sensing Lowell’s playful gaze, Felix sped up his movements and began offering excuses.
“Anyway, I’m just sturdier than you are. There are even Omegas out there with bodies fit for swordsmanship. But your body’s too delicate.”
“Yeah. It would’ve been nice to be born stronger. Bit of a shame.”

Lowell’s soft complaint made Felix panic. He had blurted out the comparison without thinking—and only now realized it might’ve sounded like he was saying other people were better.
“I-I didn’t mean others were better than you! I just meant I wish you were healthier, that’s all!”
Lowell burst into delighted laughter at Felix’s flustered reaction. The timing could’ve easily made it seem like he was mocking him—but Felix didn’t mind. He simply laughed along. His smile, without Lowell noticing, had begun to resemble his own.

“I know you didn’t mean it that way.”
“…Good.”
Felix slipped his arm behind Lowell and turned him gently to the other side. Facing the sofa, Lowell could no longer see his face, which was a little disappointing—but he let out a soft sigh as the massage resumed.

“I have to start preparing to leave tomorrow.”
Lowell had known that already—but for some reason, his chest tightened all the same.