Became Pregnant With the Demon King’s Child

“There’s still a week left before the Blessing Month banquet.”
Felix folded his arms awkwardly, pulling his hand away just before it could reach for the quill. It was the kind of reaction that suggested instinct had nearly overpowered reason—he’d almost signed the contract on impulse.
“There’s no need to overthink it. The more you obsess over decisions like this in the middle of the night, the more unnecessary noise creeps in—and that only leads to poor conclusions.”

Lowell offered the advice so naturally that he almost forgot himself mid-sentence.
Wait… isn’t that the kind of thing a count’s youngest son shouldn’t say?
He glanced up nervously to gauge Felix’s reaction, worried it might have felt out of place. But Felix didn’t seem to notice—he was still focused on reading the contract.

“What’s this clause?”
He pointed to a line near the end of the contract, his displeasure clear. Lowell leaned forward to reread the passage:
Lowell de Clarke shall bear appropriate responsibility if he causes harm to Grand Duke Felix Hailos Lucas or his estate.

The definition of “harmful actions” shall be determined through mutual agreement and documented in a supplementary document.
If such actions are deemed critically detrimental to Grand Duke Felix Hailos Lucas, Lowell de Clarke may be executed at the Grand Duke’s discretion.
Lowell had agonized over that section. He didn’t want to risk his life, but he’d concluded it was necessary to show sincerity. If he wanted Felix’s trust, this was the price. And yet, Felix still looked dissatisfied. The bitterness rose in Lowell’s mouth.

“Is something bothering you about that part? I don’t have much wealth to offer Your Grace…”
“That’s not it!”
Felix raised his voice instinctively, then caught himself and fell silent.

“You’re really willing to throw away your life so easily? While pregnant, no less?”
Lowell nearly laughed. He managed to stifle it just in time.
They say Alphas are moody, but this… I didn’t expect Felix to be like this.

Not long ago, Felix had threatened Lowell with death—now he was upset at the mere suggestion of it. Lowell found himself oddly amused at how difficult the Grand Duke was.
“I want /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ to earn Your Grace’s trust.”
With someone like Felix, honesty worked best. If he got caught in a lie, the damage would be irreparable—and that was the worst-case scenario.
“So I offered up what matters most to me—my life. Isn’t that the clearest way to show resolve?”

Felix didn’t immediately agree, but the deep line between his brows softened slightly. Lowell caught the change and responded with a soft smile.
“Besides, the only reason I included that clause is because I’m confident I won’t betray you. I know you’re worried—but please, don’t be angry.”
He smoothed over the area where he had already signed, then held the contract out to Felix again. This time, Felix didn’t hesitate—he took the quill and signed.

“I hope you don’t change your mind.”
He said it in a tone that made it clear he still didn’t trust Lowell. But Lowell understood all too well—what Felix didn’t trust wasn’t Lowell, but himself.
Those who’ve gone unloved for a long time struggle to believe they’re worthy of love. It doesn’t matter who tries—it’s a habit ingrained deep within them. Lowell had met countless people like that in his line of work. He had been one himself.

So he didn’t resent Felix.
This is a slow rehabilitation. Like teaching someone to walk again. Maybe, if I show him he’s lovable, he’ll eventually find someone he can truly love.
As he watched Felix finish the signature, Lowell’s thoughts wandered.

Would I have to divorce him when that time comes? I don’t want our child to be neglected over that.
He forced himself to stop. That was too far down a path of meaningless speculation.
If it ever comes to that, we can talk. It’s not like Felix had a destined partner in the original novel.

Pushing the unnecessary worry aside, Lowell accepted the signed contract.
“Then let’s think about how we’ll announce our engagement.”
Felix exhaled deeply, clearly overwhelmed by how fast everything was moving.

***
But there was no need for Lowell to announce the engagement himself.
“This damned temple.”

The temple, which had promised to keep the matter quiet, had started leaking rumors. Those whispers had already reached the imperial court—and the Clarke household.
“Young Master, is it true? Are you really going to get engaged to that Grand Duke?”
Tanya’s voice trembled with worry. She didn’t even dare speak Felix’s name anymore, and Lowell had to resist the urge to snap at her.

I get that people here are superstitious, but isn’t this overkill for a war hero?
He didn’t voice it. Instead, he forced a smile, dragging down the corners of his eyes.
“I’m carrying his child. I can’t exactly pretend nothing happened.”

“It might be better if the child was… I mean—never mind.”
Tanya had almost suggested raising the child as a bastard rather than marrying Felix. But one glance at Lowell’s determined expression told her to shut her mouth. She’d only dared speak because she knew Lowell had little influence within the household.
“Tanya, don’t listen to rumors. Look at the person.”

“…Sorry?”
“Grand Duke Felix is a better man than people think.”
Tanya’s mouth fell open in disbelief. It was clear she thought her naïve young master had gone off the deep end.

“Anyway, the Count has summoned me for lunch.”
Lowell could barely bring himself to think of the man as father. Facing him was a bigger headache than anything Tanya had said.
“You must present yourself properly. Hurry and get ready.”

Tanya scrambled, nervous and flustered, helping Lowell change into a fresh outfit and inspecting every inch of him with trembling hands. Her tension was contagious.
Has it really been this long since I came into Lowell’s body… and I’m just now meeting the Count face to face?
The Count and his wife were so infatuated with their own twisted romance that they’d never cared much for their children. Aside from the eldest, the designated heir, the rest were ignored. As the youngest, Lowell had been treated as less than furniture.

Even a rolling stone gets attention when something big happens, huh.
Lowell’s palms sweated. He clenched and unclenched them to stay calm.
“We’ll be late—go on!”

With one last tug on his collar, Tanya pushed him gently out the door. Lowell started with small, hesitant steps but quickly straightened his back and lengthened his stride.
There’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Sure, being pregnant before an official engagement was a problem. But Lowell had no intention of taking flak from a couple who had kids out of obligation and ignored them anyway.

“Come in.”
Still, the Count’s thunderous voice made him flinch for a moment.
That’s just the noble airs talking.

Forcing himself to stand taller, Lowell entered and found his seat.
“It’s been a while.”
“So I hear you’ve made a mess again.”

The Count didn’t even look at him as he continued eating. It was clear he didn’t care whether his child was there or not.
“It may have been a bit messy, but it’s a cause for celebration.”
Lowell smiled sweetly, knowing it would irritate him. The Count’s eyebrow twitched as he handed food to his wife.

“You’ve grown shameless. But I suppose you have to be, if you’re going to marry that demon of a duke.”
He sipped his wine and continued.
“For a worthless Omega with no talents, I’ll admit—it’s a smart move. We’ve always treated you like you didn’t exist, so the royal family won’t object. And the Grand Duke and Crown Prince seem to get along, so it might be useful in the long run.”

Lowell felt no sting from those cruel words. They weren’t really meant for him, after all.
These two have no right to be called parents.
He cursed them inwardly. But the lack of warmth between them reassured him. With no trace of the real Lowell’s parents here, there was nothing to feel nostalgic about.

“It’s an honor to contribute to our great house.”
He offered the polite response while internally muttering, Great house, my ass. All he wanted was to get out of there.
“Then attend the Blessing Month banquet with the Grand Duke. That’s where you’ll announce the engagement.”

“…Excuse me?”
He had just counted down to twelve in his head when the Count dropped that bomb.
“You want me to attend the banquet?”

“Yes.”
Lowell had never been to that event before. And that wasn’t the worst part—the original novel depicted a series of conflicts that erupted when the protagonists danced with the wrong partners.
Meaning:

I have to dance?!
At the banquet, dancing with your partner was mandatory. And though Lowell—when he’d still been Eunoh—had never been bad at physical activities, dancing had always been his one weakness. He could already envision himself stepping on Felix’s feet with every move. The very thought of such public humiliation made his vision dim.
And won’t it seem suspicious if the party-loving young master suddenly forgets how to dance?

He had to avoid that at all costs.
“Count, as you know, I’m with child…”
“You think pregnancy is an excuse not to dance? Don’t make pathetic excuses. If you refuse, people will say you’re too ashamed of the Grand Duke to appear beside him.”

Lowell didn’t have the strength to fight back. The Count, who would’ve wrapped his wife in silk and kept her off her feet if she were pregnant, was now demanding the impossible. But Lowell couldn’t argue with it—he knew how it would look.
Then I’ll just have to learn how to dance.
He started thinking about who could teach him—someone trustworthy, outside the Clarke household, who wouldn’t question why he suddenly needed lessons.

There was only one person who fit the bill.
The child’s father—Felix.