Became Pregnant With the Demon King’s Child

Felix was left speechless for a long moment, stunned by Lowell’s bombshell declaration. Taking advantage of the silence, Lowell pressed on.

“I believe you’ll be a good father, Your Grace.”
Even if Felix had no intention of being one, Lowell planned to make it so. If Felix gained a family that could embrace him, a sense of responsibility would follow—leaving no room for him to become the Demon King. That was Lowell’s calculation.
“You’re saying you want to raise the child with me?”

Felix’s gaze bore into Lowell’s stomach as he asked the question. It was far too early for any visible change—implantation had only just occurred—but Felix stared as if he might somehow see something if he looked long enough.
“Of course. Or are you saying you intend to abandon the child irresponsibly?”
At Lowell’s brazen reply, Felix’s brow twitched. Composed now after their brief exchange, Felix swept his hair back and finally spoke.

“And how can you be so sure that it’s mine?”
“You’re the only one I spent the night with, Your Grace.”
Felix scoffed and turned his head to the side. The setting sun cast a crimson glow over his sharp profile. Lowell noticed the way Felix was struggling to maintain his composure—and decided to push further.

Lowell never got pregnant in the original story. That means there’s no possibility the child isn’t Felix’s.
He was certain of it.
“From the way you reacted last time, you seemed to have lived a rather promiscuous life. Why should I believe you?”

“Whether you believe me or not won’t change the truth. The temple must already know about this.”
“What?”
Felix’s face twisted at the mention of the temple. Lowell, completely unbothered, mused to himself that even when angry, Felix’s face remained handsomely composed.

“I’m sure the priest who confirmed my pregnancy already reported it. Since this happened not long after Kael’s oracle descended, they’ll naturally assume the child is yours.”
Felix’s brow furrowed even deeper, unable to refute Lowell’s logic.
“Please don’t make our child a bastard.”

The moment the word bastard was uttered, Felix’s pupils trembled. He knew all too well the shame and scorn illegitimate children faced within the aristocracy—and especially the imperial family. He himself wasn’t a bastard, but he’d grown up receiving similar treatment. There was no way he could be unaware.
Lowell recognized that Felix’s resolve was weakening.
“If this is just a ploy to get close to me, it’s not going to work. If you’ve conspired with the temple, you’d best stop now. You’ve heard the rumors—my sword shows no mercy.”
His tone was firm, but he couldn’t even meet Lowell’s eyes. Lowell saw through it—Felix was acting defensive because he still harbored doubts. But even if Felix drew his sword now, Lowell wasn’t afraid.

“Then, would you like to make a contract with me?”
Lowell’s tone was bold. Felix tilted his chin slightly, signaling for him to go on.
“Keep me by your side. See for yourself whether I’m trustworthy. And if I do anything suspicious, you’re free to kill me. Wouldn’t that be more convenient than pushing me away now, only to deal with the fallout later?”

What Lowell really meant was, If you ignore me, I’ll cause trouble. Felix caught the implication and let out a long sigh.
“You must not care much about your life.”
Felix muttered under his breath. But Lowell simply responded, Why would I fear for my life when I have no intention of doing anything suspicious? Then he calmly continued his proposal.

“And if you still doubt me, you can confirm the child’s paternity after it’s born. We can hold the wedding then.”
“Wedding?”
Felix’s face contorted in disbelief. He hadn’t even considered that far ahead—that if they were to raise a child together, a wedding would naturally follow.

“We’re becoming a family. Of course we should have a wedding.”
Lowell emphasized the word family—Felix’s greatest weakness. And as expected, it hit its mark. Felix’s silence deepened.
“You’re returning to your estate after the Blessing Month celebration ends, aren’t you? Take me with you.”

Felix had come to the capital partly to receive accolades for his role in the war—but primarily for the Blessing Month. It was touted as a celebration for prosperity, but in truth, it served as a show of force from the crown to the noble families—a warning that rebellion would not be tolerated.
Unless on their deathbed, every lord or heir was expected to attend. Felix had no heir—so he had to show up himself.
“I can’t take you to my estate without some kind of justification.”

“Then announce the pregnancy or our engagement. I don’t know how long the temple will keep silent, but it’s impossible to keep it a secret forever.”
To the still-conflicted Felix, Lowell’s words sounded painfully rational.
“Damn it, this is insane.”

“Please use kind and gentle words, Your Grace. The baby’s listening.”
Lowell covered his ears and spoke nonsense.
Like hell it is. It’s probably busy dividing cells right now.

Even he found the statement ridiculous, but it seemed to have worked on Felix. The man bit down on his lip as if regretting his earlier outburst.
“I can’t make a decision right away.”
Felix’s voice was low and tense. Still, Lowell felt he had crossed a significant mountain.

Family. Bastard. Wedding. I picked just the right words to pierce through Felix. Now I need to back off and give him space to think.
Lowell nodded agreeably.
“Of course. I’m just glad you’re taking our child seriously.”

Even as he said it, he made sure to emphasize our child—gently easing the tension while not letting Felix forget what mattered.
“I’m not thinking seriously about the child—!”
Felix started to yell, but his eyes instinctively dropped to Lowell’s stomach. As if worried the child might actually be listening, he caught himself. With a deep breath, he spoke in a softer voice.

“Fine. I’ll make a decision before the Blessing Month ends.”
“Understood.”
Lowell replied gently.

But that’s too long. I can’t give him that much time to think.
He was thinking something entirely different inside.
***

Ten days later, Felix visited the Lowell estate.
He held out longer than I expected.
Lowell strolled lightly down the corridor after Tanya informed him Felix was waiting in the parlor. Tanya looked half-faint with shock, and the other servants were abuzz with tension. The only one who remained calm was Lowell.

“Good day, Your Grace.”
Lowell ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) entered the room with a bright, courteous voice.
“I’d like to speak privately.”

Felix glanced at the staff standing stiffly around the room like sentries.
“Of course. Would you excuse us?”
The servants, clearly eager to avoid being in the same room as the infamous Grand Duke, quickly filed out.

“Are you here to make our contract official?”
As soon as they were alone, Lowell asked boldly. Felix looked like he was about to hurl the letters in his hand at Lowell, but instead took a breath and handed them over, his expression dark.
“What the hell is this?”

His voice was icy, the result of gritted teeth. But Lowell wasn’t intimidated as he glanced at the letters.
To the Father of Little Wriggles, Grand Duke Felix
The sunlight is warm today. I wonder if Your Grace visited that hill again this weekend? The weather is lovely, so I imagine your stroll must’ve been pleasant.

Maybe it’s because of the baby, but I’ve been feeling fickle like a spring breeze. Or maybe it’s just my imagination, but my stomach’s been aching slightly. I’ll reach out again if there are any more changes.
The brief letter contained updates on Lowell’s physical condition.
“Is it the baby’s name that upset you? I just thought it might be nice to have a name to call the child while it’s still in the womb. It’s only temporary, so please don’t worry.”

Lowell avoided giving a direct explanation, since the concept of fetal nicknames didn’t exist in this world. Felix looked like he was about to explode.
“You send letters like this every day—morning and night. Have you lost your mind?”