Became Pregnant With the Demon King’s Child

Not long after Lowell collapsed, the priest arrived. But even as he called and touched him, Lowell gave no response, and Felix’s mind continued to corrode.

“The priest has arrived!”
The priest sent by the Crown Prince as a precautionary measure hurried into the prison. Still cradling Lowell in his arms, Felix urged the priest to act.
“But…”

While demanding he use divine power at once, Felix refused to let go of Lowell, and the priest, sweating coldly, had to tread carefully.
“Proceed as is.”
But Felix did not back away, and thus the healing began under incredibly uncomfortable conditions for the priest.

“He is pregnant.”
“Don’t concern yourself with the child. Prioritize Lowell above all else.”
Felix preempted the priest, leaving no room for hesitation.

“I will do my utmost to prevent any unfortunate outcome.”
The priest, being sent by the Emperor himself, was highly capable, and thanks to the fact that the wound had narrowly missed vital organs, Lowell was stabilized within a few hours. The problem, however, was that even after that, Lowell still had not regained consciousness.
“He may not be waking due to psychological fatigue. For now, it would be best to move him to a safe location.”

To Felix, those words all sounded vague and distant. Over and over, he pressed his ear to Lowell’s chest, listening for the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. That alone could bring Felix any peace of mind.
“Your Highness, please follow the priest’s advice.”
Felix, who had been acting as though he would die if separated from Lowell, drew his sword the moment anyone other than the priest approached. With one arm he held Lowell tightly, and with the other, he warded off Tia, who tried to come closer. The bloodshot fury in his eyes made it clear he was not in his right mind. In truth, Felix felt as though he were standing on the very brink of death.

“For Lowell’s sake, it would be best to move him. Please, Your Highness, make the right decision.”
At the sound of Lowell’s name, a faint light returned to Felix’s eyes. Holding Lowell even tighter, he slowly rose to his feet.
“We're going to the Imperial Palace.”

His voice was hoarse to the point of heartbreak.
***
News of the bloodshed that swept through the Imperial Palace spread quickly. The Crown Prince had purged the noble families plotting rebellion, and the shock of it all had caused the Emperor to collapse into illness—so went the official announcement. Naturally, the Crown Prince’s authority was now being formally transferred from the Emperor.
But in high society, where everyone knew how greedily the Emperor clung to power, few believed the story at face value. Even if they didn’t know the full details, everyone understood that Phoibos now had a new master. With the purge of remaining loyalists still ongoing, the nobility grew increasingly fearful, walking on eggshells lest they be the next target.

Yet there was one place completely detached from this storm of upheaval: the guest room where Felix and Lowell were staying.
“There is nothing wrong with the young master. He is simply in a deep sleep.”
This was the fifth day Felix had been hearing that line. For the first two days, he had snapped coldly, “Then find out why he can’t wake,” or “Who in the world sleeps for two days straight without ever stirring?”

But now he simply sat there without a word, gently stroking Lowell’s body so it wouldn’t go cold.
“The baby is remarkably strong. In fact, it seems to be growing far faster than normal. There’s no need to worry.”
This particular priest had no sense of tact and kept rambling. Felix’s frown deepened.

“Bring another priest. Or a mage. Anyone who can explain what’s happening to Lowell—find them.”
Felix gave the order without ever taking his eyes off Lowell. The clueless priest was promptly chased out. Over ten priests had come and gone each day, but for Felix, giving up was never an option. It seemed he was prepared to summon every single priest in the Empire if he had to.
“Understood.”

Those who understood Felix’s desperation didn’t argue—they simply obeyed. For the past five days, Felix hadn’t eaten a single meal nor slept even lightly. Anyone who entered the guest room came away knowing that love could be felt even in silence.
“Lowell, when do you plan to open your eyes?”
Once the knights left them alone, Felix immediately spoke to Lowell as though he had been waiting for the moment. It felt as though someone had taken his body but stolen away his soul.

“Isn’t it lonely in that dream all by yourself? If you’re sleeping like this to prepare to leave, tell me now.”
His rough hands gently caressed the shortened strands of Lowell’s hair. Perhaps that wasn’t enough to feel his presence—he began placing soft kisses on every strand, one by one. His movements were so deliberate and delicate, he resembled a priest conducting a sacred rite.
“I’ll go with you, so you won’t be alone. Okay?”

His voice, warm enough to melt, was laced with sorrow.
“Even if you don’t want me to follow, it can’t be helped. You’re the one who broke the promise first.”
And if you really don’t want that, then open your eyes—he whispered into Lowell’s ear. It was a sweetly veiled threat. But despite Felix’s tenderness, Lowell showed no response, sunk so deep in ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) sleep that he didn’t even stir. For the first time, Felix closed his eyes and kissed him.

He remembered how Lowell would always squeeze his eyes shut when kissed, or how his golden lashes would tremble and the corners of his mouth curl up ever so slightly when tongues met, or how, even with his much smaller frame, he’d naturally reach for Felix’s neck to take the lead.
That’s why this time, Felix kept his eyes shut—because he was terrified to see Lowell unresponsive. And yet, he couldn’t bear not to kiss him. His lips pressed, stroked, and tasted Lowell’s over and over until, with a face that looked ready to cry, he finally pulled away.
“Are you angry because I failed to protect you? I’ll forgive you for lying to me, so I hope you’ll forgive me too.”

Felix once again pressed his ear to Lowell’s chest. It had become a habit. His ear rose and fell to the rhythm of Lowell’s faint heartbeat. That soft sound was the only thing keeping Felix anchored to the world. He let out the breath he’d been holding.
Knock knock.
Even at the sound of a firm knock, Felix didn’t respond. He didn’t want his time with Lowell interrupted by anyone.

“Felix, the Crown Prince has come to see you.”
Even when the person behind the door revealed their identity, nothing changed. Eventually, the Crown Prince spoke up.
“I have matters to discuss concerning the treatment of the Clarke family.”

Only then did Felix turn his head toward the door.
“Lowell, we might exchange some unpleasant words, so feel free to cover your ears.”
Knowing full well Lowell couldn’t do that in his condition, he still whispered it softly. Then, checking if he might be cold, Felix tucked the blanket over him before slowly rising from the bed.

“Come in.”
His voice, so tender when addressing Lowell, had turned utterly cold and devoid of warmth. The Crown Prince was unbothered—he had expected as much. Striding forward to speak directly, he was momentarily stunned by the state of the room.
“I thought you weren’t in your right mind the moment you did the bonding—but you really have lost it.”

He sighed, seeing Felix looking worse off than the patient.
“Are you planning to die with him?”
“I am.”

Felix’s tone was casual, but that only made it sound more sincere.
“Are you insane?”
“Did you come to debate my sanity? If so, please leave.”

Felix promptly dismissed him. The Crown Prince, realizing conversation would go nowhere, chose to say only what he needed to.
“What do you want done about the Clarke family? I believe you’ve earned the authority to decide.”
“Is he still alive?”

“Yes. The count is still clinging to life in the prison.”
Felix was repulsed that the count had survived despite his critical injuries—unlike Lowell.
“I’ll handle it myself.”

“That’s fine. But don’t forget—Lowell Clarke is still legally part of that family.”
Until Lowell was formally removed from the Clarke registry, the family couldn’t be brought down. Otherwise, Lowell too would be treated as part of a treasonous household.
“Today, transfer Lowell’s name to the ducal house. Then do as you wish.”

“Understood.”
Felix rose, as if to say there was nothing more to discuss. The Crown Prince, seated in silence, let out a long sigh before speaking again.
“You’re still searching for someone who can properly diagnose Lowell Clarke’s condition, aren’t you?”

Felix froze in place.
“I believe I know who that person is.”