Morning came, and as soon as I opened my eyes, I washed my face.
I went to the mirror to carefully check if there were any unclean or rough spots.
‘This should be fine!’
I quickly went to the door, lifted myself on tiptoes, and turned the doorknob with both hands.
A tall shadow next to the door caught my eye.
“Miss.”
Feeling someone’s presence, Ian turned his gaze towards me. I greeted him with a wide smile.
“It’s Ian!”
“Yes, thankfully, I have been assigned to escort you once again.”
I ran to him excitedly, and he lifted me up in his familiar embrace.
‘At least he seems to keep his promises.’
I had been worried all night in case the Duke might not keep his word.
“Will you go for a walk later?”
“Yeah!”
“Yes, I will follow you whenever you’re ready.”
Just then, an unwelcome voice intruded into our peaceful conversation.
“People would think you two were family separated.”
“Ahaha……”
This was the Duke’s voice?
Puzzled, I turned my head and saw the Duke, leaning against the wall, glaring intently.
No, I should correct that. It wasn’t just looking; it was glaring.
But I was no longer afraid of that gaze. He always wore that expression.
“Why are you here so early in the morning, Duke?”
“……I was just passing by.”
“Here?”
“Yes.”
My room was one floor above the Duke’s.
Whether it was his office or the entrance, this corridor did not intersect with the Duke’s usual path.
Though I was curious, I just nodded my head.
“Okay, then take care.”
I replied nonchalantly and turned my head to see Ian sweating profusely.
“Ian, are you hot?”
“No.”
“Are you hurt somewhere?”
“No, I’m fine.”
He said no, but avoiding eye contact seemed suspicious.
Ian would likely deny any pain. Worried, I got back down to the floor.
Kind Ian, you mustn’t be ill.
[This is a time divider.]Luxurious carriages lined up at the front gate.
Never had so many families visited the Duke’s estate as today. A young servant who saw this sight for the first time gaped.
“Are all those people the Duke’s vassals?”
“Yes, don’t make a mistake, and do well.”
The young servant, assigned for the first time to attend to guests, greeted them with nervous tension.
All the people entering now were equally noble and dignified, all serving the Duke’s house.
The servant could hardly imagine the power and prestige of the Duke’s house.
The vassals entered the conference hall one by one.
The Duke’s vassals were many, and it was rare for all to gather in one place.
Unless there was a summons from the head of the household.
They all had the same thought as they entered the Duke’s house.
‘The Duke’s biological daughter.’
The news would undoubtedly create a tremendous wave.
Moreover, the child from the rumors was to show her face in the conference hall today. Even if attendance wasn’t mandatory, they had to be there.
“What on earth is this news that she is His Grace’s daughter?”
Some had not heard the news and attended. Those were the ones who had hastily returned from abroad.
“Ah, I see you didn’t hear the news.”
“Yes, I returned home as soon as I heard the summons.”
“His Grace found his daughter. Even he didn’t know he had a daughter at first.”
“Heavens, such a thing happened! When did he find her?”
A relaxed voice interjected between those conveying the news.
“It doesn’t matter when he found her; what we need to verify isn’t that. Whether that child is truly His Grace’s offspring. Isn’t that fact the most important?”
It was a somewhat dangerous statement. The surrounding area became silent in an instant.
The nobles who had been talking looked around nervously, and Count Shusted stepped forward.
“Count Life, be mindful of your words.”
“What’s wrong with my speech?”
“How can you doubt the master in your position as a noble? The princess is the one whom His Highness personally brought. If His Highness says she’s his real daughter, shouldn’t we just believe it?”
At that, Count Life let out a hollow laugh.
“It’s our role to guide His Highness on the right path. I am being faithful to that role.”
“You seem to have many baseless suspicions. Last time, you even brought up the topic of double accounting without any evidence.”
The surroundings became suddenly quiet at the confrontation between the two bigwigs. It was Count Otol who barely mediated between them.
“Come on, don’t get your feathers ruffled before the meeting even begins.”
Their confrontation showed a brief moment of calm. But it was Count Life who broke the heavy silence again.
“By the way, what’s going to happen to your daughter, Sinthia?”
“That doesn’t seem like a subject to be discussed here.”
“Didn’t you push for the marriage proposal to His Highness? The person who should doubt the veracity of this news is none other than you.”
“I told you, that matter has nothing to do with this one.”
Their gazes collided in midair. Their eyes seemed to be on fire.
Today’s meeting won’t go smoothly. At this sight, the other nobles could only swallow dryly.
Then Count Shusted spoke forcefully.
The Villainous Demon Lord Laid an Egg for Her (Female-Dominated)
Several months after transmigrating into a book, Yu Wu found herself facing the demon lord Li You, who could no longer conceal his dragon horns. With one hand on her aching waist and the other gripping a sharp sword, she stared at him.
The demon lord’s eyes were red with fury:
“This is all your doing! Today, I won’t rest until I kill you!”
Yu Wu rubbed her temples. Putting aside the taboo against bloodshed during pregnancy, wasn’t it this very man who willingly walked into her trap that day?!
Warnings:
- Male pregnancy.
- Height ratios are set to mirror typical male-female height proportions.
- Characters include a foot-loving demon lord and an eldest daughter from an immortal family’s concubine lineage.
