Bake slowly rolled his eyes.
“…Where did he hide her?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t pretend not to know when you know everything! Where is Riviana, where is my wife hidden?”
“Why are you looking for your wife from me?”
“Calix Pieren!”
Bake shouted forcefully.
In response, Calix shifted his hand to his waist. His hand held the hilt of a sword.
“I was just chasing a wanted criminal.”
“A wanted criminal? You should at least make a decent excuse.”
Bake snorted at Calix, who was staring at him intently. Since Riviana disappeared, Calix had searched everywhere like a madman. Now, he tried to justify that he was chasing a wanted criminal, but Bake couldn’t accept it.
Bake narrowed his eyes, glaring at Calix with intensity. Seeing Calix so casual compared to himself made Bake feel disheartened.
Without Riviana, Bake couldn’t shift the blame onto Calix. Thanks to that, this incident was also going to result in a loss.
Moving troops wasn’t something that could be done for free. Gathering forces from various places to create an army, all while being cautious of rumors, required a significant amount of funds.
If there were no achievements in this situation, it would once again be a losing deal.
“All nobles of the empire, when moving a certain number of troops, must report to the emperor. I wonder if you’re aware of this law.”
“I’m aware. The story of how that law came about is quite famous, isn’t it? Your father committed treason.”
“…”
“Why innocent people have to bear the punishment for your father’s sins, I don’t know for sure, but one thing is clear.”
Suaaah, the sound of a blade rubbing against the scabbard resonated strangely. Calix deliberately drew his sword slowly to make the sound.
Bake, with his sarcastic mouth shut, instinctively took a step back. It might be because of his mood, but the chilly gaze directed at him felt more severe than a well-honed blade.
Although Calix’s expression was no different from usual, his eyes contained a sharp and spirited momentum. It was alive.
“Fugitive, Bake Crayton, the Duke.”
“What?”
“You have committed acts against the laws of the empire. According to the established laws, regardless of your status, I arrest you on the spot.”
“Th-this is absurd.”
“Unjust? Then try moving the prepared troops.”
“…”
“If that happens, you’ll also end up like my father, severed at the guillotine and hung at the city gate.”
A charge of treason.
The tip of Calix’s sword pointed at Bake.
Bake blinked his eyes, unable to understand the current situation.
What is the author saying? A fugitive? Treason? Impossible. I am Duke Crayton, aren’t I?
“Should have trusted the right person.”
Calix smiled without responding. It was a sneer.
Bake only now realized that he had fallen into a trap.
“Madam?”
“Why, is it a ghost? You look surprised.”
Pretending not to notice, I resumed walking.
Though uncomfortable for a moment, I had become accustomed to the dress and adorned jewelry during the brief time of not dressing up. Even though it felt a bit cumbersome, I could only feel a strange sense of stability when I was fully dressed.
“Who is he?”
“Well, that’s…”
Looking at the flustered maid, I roughly understood the situation.
Bake seemed to have concealed my disappearance from the people in the mansion, but it seemed inadequate to cover the eyes and ears of those nearby. Although I couldn’t outwardly show it, those close by had already caught on to the news of my disappearance.
As if nothing had happened, I nonchalantly rode the carriage back to Crayton. There’s no need to describe the expressions they had when I entered the mansion.
Even the housekeeper, who usually maintains composure in most situations, had a dismayed expression until I entered the mansion.
“Could the mansion be in such a mess just because I briefly left?”
“I apologize. I should have paid more attention, but things got hectic.”
“No need for excuses. Summon the servants. It’s been a while since we’ve thoroughly cleaned the mansion.”
“Thorough cleaning?”
“The season is changing, so we need to redecorate the mansion accordingly. Change the curtains, remove decorations that don’t match the season or trend, oh! We should get rid of those withered flowers before anything else.”
I pointed to a vase containing withered flowers as if there was nothing unusual.
Even if it might look strange for someone who was supposedly kidnapped to appear so nonchalantly and casually make requests, I didn’t care at all.
Servants should not interfere with their master’s affairs. That was an established rule.
Unless I revealed anything, the housekeeper, despite knowing all the basic virtues of a servant, would not ask me anything.
“We already prepared the curtains last time, right? Decorate the entrance with purple, choose more elegant flowers, and let’s slightly rearrange the furniture without making major changes.”
“…”
“Well, what are you waiting for?”
“Yes, yes?!”
The housekeeper stepped back in shock without responding. Despite knowing the virtues well, he seemed to be unable to understand the current situation.
I belatedly realized that the housekeeper, who had regained his composure, was staring at me, still not comprehending the situation.
Again, I pointed to the vase, addressing the housekeeper who had come to his senses.
“I mentioned we’re going to have a thorough cleaning. You should call people.”
“Oh, yes. I’ll proceed right away.”
The startled housekeeper straightened his posture. Although he still seemed perplexed, he decided to follow my orders for now.
Looking at the innocent face that knew nothing, I moved my head slightly.
“Oh, and call a doctor.”
“A doctor?”
“Yes. Call one as soon as possible. There doesn’t seem to be any major issue, but considering the long journey, it would be reassuring to have a check-up.”
A moment of puzzlement flashed in the housekeeper’s eyes, but once again, he didn’t forget the virtues of a servant. Instead of asking questions, he chose to bow obediently.
“Yes, understood. I’ll contact them right away. Anything else you need?”
“Perhaps we need to prepare for a party.”
“A party?”
“Yes, now that things have finally settled down.”
I smiled, embracing my stomach.
In that small gesture, the housekeeper seemed to realize something and slightly widened his mouth.
Top Celebrity Younger Brother Bears Her Child (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: Forced to live stream romance with a top celebrity in a female-dominant world.
Yan Jin transmigrated into a brothel, with a fellow transmigrated junior beside her.
Hearing the obscene words coming from outside, the unfortunate junior covered his ears tightly, his cheeks flushed red, and whispered to comfort her, “Don’t worry, I will definitely help you escape.”
“Don’t worry, I will definitely defend your chastity.” Yan Jin looked at the flawless and delicate features of the unfortunate junior and gently comforted, “Because we have transmigrated into a female-dominant world.”
※※※
Top celebrity Yu Shu suddenly fell into a coma during a concert.
Research scientist Yan Jin fainted in the lab after working overtime.
Two people with no connection were rushed to the same hospital.
Three days later, neither of them had woken up.
Suddenly, the entire nation discovered that a live streaming app had been forcibly installed on their phones.
Upon opening it, they heard the two discussing how to escape from the brothel.
The entire internet was in an uproar.
After the two successfully escaped from the brothel, Yu Shu’s fan group rushed to make a banner and sent it to the hospital overnight.
“Big sister bravely took action to defend the chastity of our idol!”
※※※
When Yu Shu was diagnosed with pregnancy, Yan Jin stared at his belly for a long time.
Covering his stomach, he muttered gloomily, “If you don’t like it, I’ll go get an abortion.”
“It’s not that I don’t like it.” Yan Jin hugged Yu Shu and said softly, “I just feel like I’m not human.”
Yu Shu comforted Yan Jin, “I was already an adult when we got together.”
Yan Jin hesitated, “But you won’t be of legal marriageable age even after giving birth to the child.”
At the same time, a flood of bullet comments appeared in the live streaming room that the two couldn’t see.
[Although it’s inappropriate, I also want a young and handsome boyfriend to have my child.]
①Male pregnancy (highlighted)
The female lead is five years older than the male lead, and the male lead is already an adult when he appears.
