Became Pregnant With the Demon King’s Child

At that moment, Lowell felt as if he'd been struck in the head.
Just that seemingly small detail made everything more complicated—and he knew it.

It’s now certain Zephyros is acting according to the Emperor’s will. It’s good that the one behind it is clear now, but the problem is Felix. This gives him a reason to suspect me.
Felix had doubted Lowell from their very first meeting. And now, a note ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ had turned up that could easily be considered “evidence.”
He might think I sent some kind of signal to the palace and received a reply through Zephyros. Or that I came to Nyx with this plan from the very beginning.

It all came down to timing.
“I almost got stabbed in the palace, remember? Why would I trust the Imperial Family enough to make deals with them?”
“Or maybe they threatened you. Said if you didn’t cooperate, your life would be in danger again—just like this time.”

Lowell realized Felix was deploying a psychological defense mechanism to prepare himself for possible betrayal, and his head began to ache. Defenses built from long-standing wounds don’t crumble easily. No matter how many words Lowell used to explain, Felix wouldn’t be able to believe him right away.
“You remember the contract I made at the beginning. I have no intention of doing anything that would harm you, Your Grace.”
Lowell’s excuse, thrown like a lifeline, was met with a shake of the head.

“What meaning does a contract have when both sides of the scale are equally weighted?”
Lowell admitted his misstep. The contract he had hastily drawn up to gain Felix’s trust was as good as a scrap of paper.
“If this becomes a public matter, it’ll be said you tried to contact the capital or the Imperial Family. It’s better if it’s all erased.”

Felix was genuinely worried the issue might escalate and hurt Lowell—but at the same time, he was terrified. Terrified that Lowell might have harbored hidden intentions from the start… or might develop them in the future.
The Emperor is practically his enemy. Of course he’d be afraid I might side with him.
Lowell’s mouth tasted bitter. The thought that Felix wanted to keep him close despite the possibility of betrayal was touching—but this wasn’t a healthy relationship.

A warm hand cupped Lowell’s cheek. The affection inside it was childish and clumsy. The awkwardness of a man who had never received love—nor given it—was revealed in gestures like this.
“If we let this go quietly, you won’t have to be punished or worry about anything. Just promise you won’t leave Nyx—and I’ll let everything go. I meant it when I said I’d protect you.”
It was a statement that erased their previous contract altogether. Lowell realized the contract he’d written to show trust had no value at all.

I acted out of desperation to win his trust. I should’ve taken it more slowly, built it step by step.
He covered Felix’s hand with his own. The gentle touch was hard to maintain, and Felix’s face twisted, like he could no longer hold back. Like a man wrestling with something inside, he looked agonized. The calm he’d shown moments ago was clearly a performance.
“Sometimes… I think about killing you. If I could… maybe I wouldn’t feel so tormented.”
It completely contradicted what he’d just said about protecting him—but both statements came from the same person. He frowned as if already regretting the words.

“Are you afraid of someone like me? I might really kill you someday.”
It had been said impulsively, and he now looked scared that Lowell might be afraid of him. To Lowell, this man—twice his size—looked painfully fragile.
“You wouldn’t do that.”

Lowell closed his eyes and leaned into Felix’s hand. The spot where they touched felt hot and itchy, like an allergic reaction. They hadn’t even raised their voices, and yet it felt like they’d had a fierce fight. The heat wouldn’t go down. Lowell slowly opened his eyes. Felix’s gaze, blazing like wildfire, rushed over him like a flooding tide.
I can’t leave things like this.
Lowell had no idea how he was supposed to plant real trust in Felix.

***
“I hear something.”
The next day, after finishing his meal and settling into the sofa to read, Lowell stood up.

In the eerily silent Grand Duke’s estate, where even sound seemed swallowed by the stillness, there came—for the first time—a loud noise.
It wasn’t a single crash like someone dropping a heavy object. It was the kind of continuous noise you’d hear during construction.
“Looks like the things I ordered have arrived. Shall we go together?”

Lowell had expected Felix to brush it off—but today he seemed unusually upbeat. It was the first time since Lowell had been brought to the tower that Felix suggested going outside.
“Is it… possible for me to leave?”
“As long as you’re with me, yes.”

Lowell was sluggish, still heavy from eating, and a bit reluctant. But seeing Felix so lively for once, he stood up with a yawn.
Does he want to show me something?
While he was fumbling with his clothes, Felix came over and buttoned them up neatly.

“Cold wind can’t get in.”
Fully dressed with scarf and all, they stepped into the garden. Dozens of people were moving under the watch of knights and servants. What they were holding in their hands were vivid, vibrant flowers.
“Flowers?”

Rubbing his still-heavy eyes, Lowell tried to confirm what he was seeing. But no matter how long he looked, the sight didn’t change. Felix kept glancing at Lowell’s face with eyes full of anticipation.
“What are all those flowers?”
Watching the workers lining up to enter the greenhouse, Lowell felt dazed. Fragrant floral scents he’d never encountered in Nyx tickled his nose pleasantly.

“You once said it’d be nice to have a flower garden.”
It had been a throwaway comment. In fact, Lowell had even said he didn’t like flowers much—worried that Felix might actually build one and feel pressured if it was only for his sake.
And yet…

Lowell’s throat closed up. He had to swallow and clear his throat multiple times before he could speak.
“Thank you.”
Felix was still doubting him. He had even said the thought of killing Lowell crossed his mind because it was so painful.

And still, just because he wanted to make me happy, he didn’t take that offhand comment lightly.
That unstable love came crashing into Lowell. He embraced the suffocating affection with everything he had.
I really can’t leave it like this.

Lowell made up his mind. He had to crack open the shell of fear Felix had retreated into—even if it took something drastic. For their future.
***
The greenhouse was busy, filled with movement. The herbs that had originally been there had long since been transplanted elsewhere. The gardeners darted about, preparing space for the flowers being carried in.

“It’ll take a few more days. I should’ve waited until it was all done.”
“It was the noise that got my attention. That’s why you showed it to me, right?”
Lowell understood why Felix had brought him to see it so abruptly.

He probably meant to surprise me once it was complete.
The fact that he’d bought all those flowers and hadn’t said a word—Lowell knew exactly what that meant.
It must’ve been a planned surprise. The only reason he’s revealing it now is because of that note.

Whether it was because he wanted Lowell to settle in and form attachment to Nyx—or to say, “I’ll treat you well, so there’s no need to turn to the Emperor”—or maybe both. Lowell couldn’t say for sure.
Either way, he wanted to tell Felix it wasn’t necessary. But it was no use now.
Even if I tell him how I feel, he probably won’t believe me.

So instead of saying “I like you,” Lowell decided to show it through action. He wanted to do things for Felix, to treat him kindly, to give him everything he wanted. That was just how Lowell loved. He had never felt this intense a pull before—but his fundamental nature hadn’t changed. It had only deepened.
Since I don’t have much to give, I’ll love him more. Be even more considerate.
Lowell, knowing he had little to offer materially, resolved to support Felix emotionally. Without a word, he reached out and held Felix’s hand. Felix, ears turning faintly red, interlaced their fingers.

“There are so many kinds of flowers. Do you have a favorite, Your Grace?”
“Hmm. I’ve never really thought about that.”
“Then decide now.”

At that suggestion, Felix—who had been gazing only at Lowell—turned to the flowers. The one his finger landed on was a deep blue hyacinth.
“That proud blue flower… looks just like your eyes.”