The night’s fickle weather, with its constant rain, finally cleared, and the hidden sun emerged, prompting the two to venture into the city and eventually to the hospital.
Adeline’s disguise tools, which she had brought when she fled from the Duchy of Credion, proved useful. Just wearing glasses and different makeup changed her appearance significantly.
The Duke, too, donned brown lenses and a wig, but feeling it insufficient, Adeline added glasses to cover his eyes.
“You have a high fever. Take this medicine three times a day,” the doctor prescribed.
After taking the medicine, Adeline felt her body lighten and her condition improve.
“Shall we sit by the fountain for a while?”
“Now? We’re being pursued.”
“Who would recognize us like this? Let’s rest for a moment.”
The Duke pointed to a fountain in front of them, looking at the clear sky.
Adeline quickly scanned the surroundings. The knights of the Credion Duchy, who were roaming in groups last night, seemed to have left.
“It’s safe, let’s go.”
Persuaded by the Duke’s urging, Adeline’s wariness slightly relaxed.
‘Yes, it should be fine for a little while.’
As they were enjoying their rest by the fountain, a kind-looking elderly man approached, leading a group of neighborhood children, each carrying a string of dolls.
Reaching the fountain, the elderly man sat down, and the children naturally gathered around him.
It wasn’t their first time doing this.
The sight of the children huddled together was so heartwarming that the pair couldn’t take their eyes off them.
—
“This land was originally a barren land filled only with winter,” the old man began his story.
“A righteous warrior climbed the mountain after hearing rumors that a monster living on the summit was causing the land’s barrenness.”
“At the summit, the warrior saw an amazing sight – a beautiful woman trapped in an ice crystal. Even with her eyes closed, the woman with jet-black hair was so beautiful that the warrior couldn’t look away.”
“As he touched the crystal, the earth shook, and a giant monster appeared, enraged at the warrior for coveting the woman in the crystal.”
“After a long battle, the warrior finally defeated the monster.”
“As the monster’s blood covered the crystal, the icy storm at the mountain’s summit ceased, and a warm breeze began to swirl.”
“The ice split open, and the woman finally opened her eyes.”
“Her eyes sparkled like clear, red rubies.”
“The warrior couldn’t take his eyes off the woman as she approached him.”
“‘You, who have awakened me, the goddess Helena, and saved this land, are granted the right to rule it for generations,’ the woman said.”
“The warrior, overwhelmed by her words, knelt in reverence.”
“The goddess took another step forward and kissed the warrior’s forehead.”
“His eyes began to turn red.”
“‘Rule the world with these eyes. They will be the proof of the rights I have bestowed upon you.'”
“Naming the land Soltarius in honor of the warm-hearted warrior, he began his rule.”
“The first Emperor of Soltarius built a temple for Goddess Helena in the most favorable location near the imperial palace.”
“Even after over 600 years since the empire’s founding, under Goddess Helena’s blessing, only one member in each generation of the royal family is born with red eyes.”
“Although all princes were of Soltarius blood, those without red eyes could not ascend to the throne, not having received Helena’s recognition.”
“Each prince with red eyes had to seek Helena’s approval before ascending the throne, proving they were under her blessing.”
“Those who passed this test ruled the empire justly and kindly.”
The puppet show’s narrative was about the founding legend of the Soltarius Empire.
Adeline, who had heard this story since childhood, was once again captivated by the elderly man’s tale.
“Del, is that story true?”
Adeline was surprised by the Duke’s sudden question.
“Yes. Since the founding of the empire, all Emperors of Soltarius have had red eyes, and many were born with black hair. It’s said that only one person per generation is born with red eyes.
And now, slightly differently, two people have red eyes – Duke Thorpeo and the Crown Prince.”
As she continued, Adeline sensed something odd.
“Then why do I know three people with red eyes?”
Adeline couldn’t answer the Duke’s question.
The Duke and he were the same person. Even setting that aside, the Crown Prince and the Duke. This generation had two with red eyes.
“The Prince of this nation, the Duke. And I also have red eyes, don’t I?”
Adeline quickly covered the Duke’s mouth, fearing someone might overhear.
It was strange to her too.
‘Why do both the Crown Prince and the Duke have red eyes?’
A question she never found strange before suddenly made Adeline fearful.
Was it a huge secret she shouldn’t have known?
Could the person trying to harm the Duke be the mad Crown Prince?
There should be only one sun under the sky.
But in the empire, two people born with the emblematic red eyes of the Emperor.
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.
