“It’s not a dream. I was just curious about your well-being since we haven’t seen each other in a while.”
“Is that so.”
Daniel didn’t press further about the dream, considering it trivial.
He changed the subject, and the two engaged in a deep discussion about swordsmanship, emptying the teapot twice.
Then, Joshua quietly asked, “I heard Duke Adrian is taking in a foster daughter?”
“Has the news already spread?”
“Not really, but I overheard the conversation between the Emperor and Duke Adrian.”
“Yes, she’s already staying at the mansion, though the formal procedures are yet to be completed.”
A smile played on Daniel’s face as he thought of Rosette. Joshua leaned forward, curious.
“She seems quite dear to you.”
“She’s incredibly cute and lovable. Anyone who sees her would love her.”
“Sounds like you’re quite taken with her. So, when will you introduce her to me?”
Daniel’s smile faltered slightly.
“She’s still very shy. I think it’ll take at least half a year for her to get used to everyone in the mansion and appear in social circles.”
“So, you won’t introduce her to me?”
“No.”
Joshua chuckled at Daniel’s unhesitant answer.
“One would think I’m a monster who’s going to devour her.”
“But, Your Highness. Even we find her intimidating. How would she react to a royal? She might faint or have a fit.”
“Why not meet her incognito?”
“That won’t work. Royal dignity isn’t something that can be hidden.”
Smiling lightly, Daniel stood up.
“I’ve taken up too much of your time this early morning. I should take my leave.”
“Alright.”
Joshua escorted Daniel out of the palace.
“Oh, wait.”
Before Daniel closed the carriage window, Joshua gestured him closer and whispered.
“Be careful with carriage rides for a while.”
“Pardon?”
“You heard about Count Hartman’s accident, right? Even a sound carriage can break down, so make sure to check it before riding.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
“It would be better to avoid outings for a while…”
“What?”
The last part was too quiet to hear. When Daniel asked again, Joshua shook his head.
“Nothing. Take care, and give my regards to Isabelle and Lucas.”
“Yes. Please take care of yourself too.”
“Will do.”
With that, the carriage carrying Daniel left. Daniel briefly thought Joshua was acting strangely, but soon shook off the feeling.
“What? Your birthday is coming up?”
Lucas’s eyes widened in surprise. Although Isabelle didn’t show much reaction, she seemed quite taken aback.
“Yes. It’s in a week.”
“Why didn’t you tell us sooner!”
Lucas raised his voice.
So, here’s the situation:
After his bath, Lucas, with his hair still wet, had taken Rosette on a tour of the mansion. Isabelle, having nothing better to do, followed her siblings around.
Lucas started the tour from the dining room they already knew and showed Rosette around the mansion.
“Next, I’ll show you my room!”
He led Rosette to a room opposite hers. Showing her each item in his room, he pointed to a sword on the wall.
“This was a birthday gift from Dad last year. It was specially made to order. Cool, right?”
“Yes.”
Then he casually asked, “When’s your birthday, by the way?”
Rosette thought for a moment and replied, “In a week.” That’s when this commotion started.
“Why, why didn’t you say anything!”
Rosette answered Lucas’s outburst honestly, not understanding why he was upset.
“Nobody asked me about it.”
Lucas grabbed the back of his neck in frustration.
“But you should have told us about something as important as your birthday!”
Rosette gently corrected him.
“It’s not the day I was born. It’s the day I was abandoned at the orphanage.”
Lucas seemed lost for words, just opening and closing his mouth. But for Rosette, birthdays held no real significance.
The fact that it wasn’t her birth date but the day she was abandoned at the orphanage was the main reason it didn’t feel special, and not celebrating birthdays was the second.
There were many kids at the orphanage, and resources were limited. Birthdays weren’t considered special occasions that warranted extra attention.
To them, cakes or gifts were things of fairy tales. On birthdays, receiving slightly more food than usual was the only ‘gift.’
‘At the Dallas house…’
At the Dallas house, they didn’t even bother with that much. Elisha Dallas, her stepsister, had grand birthday parties and received many gifts, but Rosette was not included.
Ironically, she ate better on Elisha’s birthdays than her own, thanks to leftovers from the kitchen.
‘But is that really something to be surprised about?’
Confused about why Lucas was making a big deal, Rosette blinked in wonder. Lucas thumped his chest in frustration, and even Isabelle sighed and shook her head.
Seeing Rosette’s puzzled face, Lucas announced enthusiastically.
“Fine! I’ll organize the perfect birthday party for you!”
From then on, instead of showing her around the mansion, he started planning the birthday party. He talked about having a three-tier cake, a variety of food, and plenty of gifts, jotting down his plans.
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.
