The Dead Villainess Is Pregnant With The Male Lead's Child (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 14
Killion absentmindedly stared at the campfire he was sitting by, recalling Veronica’s words from just moments ago.
Her claim—that it was to prevent their body temperatures from dropping—wasn’t wrong.
That’s precisely why he was surprised. That kind of common sense wasn’t something easily thought up by someone who’d never even slept outdoors before.
‘I never knew you had a habit of reading books. Come to think of it, I seem to know very little about Your Highness.’
That was exactly how it felt right now.
The Veronica he’d known until now would’ve surely wanted him to hold her tightly in a situation like this, to kiss her, or perhaps even more—but clearly, that wasn’t the case at all.
‘You’ve certainly matured a great deal. Or… unless… could it be that…’
Had she really developed feelings for someone else? The sudden thought that popped into his head instantly dampened his mood.
He tried hard to focus on something else, watching the quietly crackling flames.
But once that thought had nested itself in his mind, it showed no sign of leaving.
‘Was it one of those men who danced with her at the last banquet? Who was it again? I should’ve paid closer attention then… ah…?’
He quickly slammed the brakes on his spiraling thoughts.
It was ridiculous. He let out a wry chuckle at his own pathetic behavior.
‘Good grief, what am I even doing? Acting like someone heartbroken? Am I actually jealous? That’s not it at all.’
It couldn’t be. Right…? Even Killion himself was starting to feel confused.
Wishing the intrusive thoughts would vanish, Killion closed his eyes.
He hoped sleep would finally quiet his restless mind.
But slumber refused to come easily, and the arm and shoulder touching hers grew steadily warmer.
How much time had passed?
Killion, who ultimately couldn’t fall asleep, finally opened his eyes.
Outside, the rain and thunder still raged loudly.
It seemed dawn was still a long way off.
Veronica continued sleeping soundly against his shoulder, breathing softly.
Her scent, her breath, the soft skin pressed against him—all tormented Killion.
‘I’m going crazy.’
Killion rubbed his face with one hand and looked down at Veronica.
Her plump, red lips came into view.
They looked incredibly tempting.
Almost unconsciously, Killion reached out his hand—there was no time for reason to stop him.
His fingertips brushed against her soft lips.
They were perfectly plump, pleasantly springy, and just warm enough.
Was it the strange sensation that made him wonder—what would it feel like if lips met lips instead of fingertips?
Without thinking, Killion lowered his head—again, reason had no chance to intervene.
Just then—
“Mmm….”
Veronica shifted in her sleep and nestled even deeper into his arms.
Killion instantly snapped back to his senses and straightened his head.
His heart pounded violently in his chest.
‘What the hell am I doing? Are you insane?’
He was utterly dumbfounded. A mocking laugh burst out before he could stop it.
Ever since his engagement to Veronica had been decided long ago, all Killion had ever thought about was how to escape that engagement—how to get away from her.
So when he’d been given the chance to join the battlefield, he’d been glad to leave the capital, glad to roam the warfront for so long.
When the order to return had finally come, he’d spent many sleepless nights filled with regret.
‘And yet… I almost tried to kiss her… like some sneak thief!’
Curiosity about the sensation was just an excuse—a laughably absurd excuse even a three-year-old would scoff at.
The truth was, he’d been utterly captivated by Veronica, defenselessly asleep against his shoulder.
Her fluttering long eyelashes, her steady, soft breaths, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the delicate warmth of her breath grazing his arm—all of it was deeply alluring.
It felt as if he’d been enchanted, unable to break free.
His gaze drifted back to her lips.
A pang of regret filled him.
‘Hah… Regret? Am I really feeling regret right now?’
He must’ve truly lost his mind.
He’d never once liked her—not even for a single moment—and had always viewed their engagement as a burden.
Yet his heart raced wildly, dizzyingly.
He was afraid the slightly changed, more mature Veronica might slip away from him entirely.
Afraid he’d miss her once she was gone.
Afraid he wouldn’t even be able to find her again.
‘…Afraid? That I’ll miss her? …I’ve completely lost it!’
He must’ve hit his head when he fell from the cliff into the river.
Or maybe the net artifact had been laced with some mind-altering enchantment.
Annoyed, Killion squeezed his eyes shut.
Sleep still wouldn’t come, but he felt he had to forcibly drag that sleep demon over anyway.
He turned his head sharply to the opposite side.
He couldn’t risk catching sight of her if he opened his eyes carelessly.
But he couldn’t pull his arm away from her either.
For the sake of sharing body heat, it was unavoidable.
And… he had to admit, even if he hated to—
He liked the feeling of being connected to her, even in this small way.
[This is the timeline separator]The next day, fortunately, the rain had stopped.
Veronica and Killion left the cave and reentered the forest.
Killion had insisted they stay as far away from the river as possible to avoid being tracked by the masked assailants.
‘But why am I clinging to Killion again!’
She’d never felt her own body weigh her down like such a burden before.
But there was no helping it. This was simply the best option for moving forward.
Killion, having fully recovered his strength and energy, was practically flying through the trees while carrying her.
‘Right, just endure it. We’re not on a picnic—we’re on our way home after an ambush. We need to get back as quickly as possible. Just a little longer… I can endure it.’
Veronica tightened her arms around his neck, trying to comfort herself.
Thump-thump. His heartbeat against her ear sounded incredibly loud.
Listening to it made Veronica’s own heart flutter pleasantly.
‘I never knew someone else’s arms could feel this comforting.’
She loved the security offered by his broad shoulders, firm chest, and strong arms.
She almost wanted to settle right here in his embrace.
‘Should I just marry him as I am? Even if it starts as a loveless union, wouldn’t feelings eventually grow—just like in countless other political marriages? As long as I don’t abuse the female lead like in the original story, maybe I can still avoid execution.’
The fleeting thought startled even Veronica herself.
It was absurdly naive.
‘No, no! The imperial family’s sins are so vast that a rebellion will erupt regardless of Veronica’s actions, and the empire will surely fall.’
So she needed to solidify her escape plan while she still had the chance.
Veronica pushed the useless thoughts out of her mind.
After running for about an hour, Killion stopped when they spotted a small pond.
“Shall we rest for a while, Your Highness?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
She’d been swaying in his arms since early morning, and her head and stomach were both feeling queasy.
Killion gently set her down in the shade.
Just then—
Gurgle— A thunderous rumble erupted from Veronica’s stomach.
“Oh….”
Seriously, what else could possibly go wrong…? Her face instantly flushed red.
Her own body was always causing trouble. She wanted to crawl into a mousehole and disappear.
While Veronica berated herself, Killion blamed his own thoughtlessness.
He’d never shared outdoor survival with a civilian before, so he hadn’t realized.
In the knights’ order, going without food for a day during field missions was nothing unusual—Killion was used to hunger. But Veronica was different.
Accustomed to three full meals plus desserts every day, going an entire day without food must have been torture for her.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve prioritized Your Highness’s meal—I didn’t even think of it.”
“I’m fine! I mean… yes, I’m hungry, but really, it’s okay! Please don’t worry about it. Honestly.”
Veronica waved her hands frantically, nearly pleading.
She felt like crying at Killion’s overly serious reaction to her natural bodily function.
They still had a long way to go, and they were being pursued.
She knew perfectly well this wasn’t the time to leisurely stop for a meal.
But Killion shook his head.
“No. Ensuring Your Highness’s health is a knight’s foremost duty.”
“…”
Veronica fell silent.
His eyes shone with unwavering sincerity.
‘What is this…? From that look, feeding me feels like his sacred mission or something.’
Embarrassed, Veronica pressed her lips together and gave a small nod.
“Please wait here for a moment. I’ll check if there’s anything edible nearby.”
“…Okay.”
“In case of danger, I’d like to place you up in a tree. Is that alright?”
“Oh…”
Given they were being chased, he clearly thought she should stay thoroughly hidden when alone.
“Alright,” Veronica replied briefly.
Killion found a suitable tree and guided her toward it.
He stepped onto the trunk and leaped halfway up, then reached his hand down to her.
She’d held this hand many times before.
Yet every time that large hand appeared right before her eyes, Veronica felt uneasy.
It was a dependable hand, one she longed to rely on—but also one she absolutely must not.
She was already growing somewhat accustomed to it—but she couldn’t afford to become any more familiar.
‘…I need to escape quickly. From the original story, from the male lead, and from this hand…’
Steadying her wavering resolve once again, Veronica firmly grasped his hand.
Killion lifted her lightly and seated her on a sturdy branch.
He looked up at her, his blue eyes filled with worry—he clearly hated leaving her alone.
Just then—Gurgle! Another thunderous rumble echoed. Veronica’s face turned as red as a ripe apple.
Killion quickly spoke up,
as if he hadn’t heard her stomach’s complaints at all.
“Please wait here a moment, Your Highness. I’ll be back shortly.”
“Be careful, Sir Killion.”
Killion immediately jumped down from the tree and dashed into the forest.
The moment he disappeared from view, a wave of shame washed over her.
Veronica glared resentfully at her own stomach and scolded it.
“Couldn’t you have held it just a little longer! Why did it have to happen right then! Seriously, why!”
Why indeed! She gave her stomach a light slap—but her arm swung too hard, throwing off her balance, and her body began to tilt sideways.
“Ugh… Wha—!”
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
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MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (129)
Oh killion … don’t catch unnecessary feelings and complicate things
Still mixed feelings about your changing rapport .
What sort of twisted divine message is that ? Seriously
Inline Comments (416)
"It’s fortunate you’ve finally realized, even if late. You’re simply too dim-wit
I think the Empress character has a narcissistic mother personality — she uses her daughter as a mirror for her own glory and doesn’t see her as an independent person
All the way back to his room, Killion grumbled to himself.
Awww this makes me feel sad for my younger siblings
“Just thinking about how many more banquets I’ll have to attend on this pilgrima
Wait a minute is this the saintess? I didn’t even realize
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VKotaku28
Despite the annoyance, the brief realism is a nice touch,