Became Pregnant With the Demon King’s Child

Where Lowell gestured, rows of tents were stretched out, and at the center stood a man in elaborate stage makeup. Felix, too, soon recalled where he had seen the man before.
“They’re the troupe we saw in Phoebus during the Month of Blessings.”
“Looks like this town is their base. There’s a pretty big building behind the tents—they’re probably performing there.”

The actors out front were drawing in tourists. Among them were not only the male lead but also several familiar supporting actors.
“Do you want to see the play again?”
Lowell shook his head. It had been entertaining, sure—but not enough to carve time out of a short trip to watch it twice.

“I’ve already seen it once, so I’m fine.”
“Then let’s eat and think about what to do next.”
Felix turned away from the tents without hesitation. But despite refusing, Lowell kept glancing back, as if something was pulling at him. At first, Felix pretended not to notice, but then even he grew curious enough to ask again.

“Lowell, if you want to see the play, we can.”
“It’s not that.”
“Then why do you keep looking back? Is it that main actor who’s bothering you?”

Felix gave a sharp glance full of intent—as if to interrogate whether what Lowell felt toward the actor was attraction or unease. Having already forgotten about the man, Lowell blinked in disbelief.
“Excuse me?”
“If it’s not the play, then it must be the actor who caught your interest. What part of that man struck you as… appealing?”

“It’s not like that at all!”
Lowell answered quickly, realizing Felix was about to latch onto the wrong idea.
“The more defensive you are, the more suspicious it sounds.”

Felix turned his head to see what exactly Lowell had been glancing at. He looked ready to march over.
“I was just… thinking about something we talked about.”
Lowell exhaled heavily and admitted the truth.
I didn’t think I’d end up saying this out loud…

He brushed his flushed nape with one hand, gaze lowered.
“What conversation?”
Felix still had his eyes narrowed, signaling that he wouldn’t let his guard down until he got a satisfactory explanation. Lowell had no choice but to continue.

“You asked me what I thought it’d be like to lose a lover to war.”
As Lowell paused to catch his breath, the murmur of the crowd suddenly rang louder than before. A group of children darted past, giggling, and Lowell’s heart thudded heavily in his chest in rhythm with their steps. Beads of sweat formed along his neck.
Felix, who kept his memories of Lowell sharp and intact, had no trouble recalling the conversation. At the time, Lowell had said: The living have to keep living. Though Felix hadn’t realized it then, the answer had left him feeling quietly hurt. Lowell, who had spoken so indifferently back then, now looked visibly tense.

“Yeah. That was a foolish hypothetical.”
Felix made a point to speak lightly, trying to ease Lowell’s mind. He didn’t fully understand why the question was troubling his partner so much, but he wanted to offer reassurance anyway.
“I was wondering how I’d answer it now.”

Back then, the words had come to him without hesitation. But now, for some reason, he couldn’t say them so easily. It had been his way of life—but just having someone precious again made him feel… vulnerable.
“There’s no need to dwell on such a what-if. I’ll make sure you never have to worry about that.”
Unlike before, when his response had been tinged with childish hurt, Felix now spoke with the weight of a tree deeply rooted in the earth—calm, certain.

“I’ve never lost a war. Not once. Believe in me, Lowell.”
And with those firm words, the knot in Lowell’s chest began to loosen. With a lighter expression, he smiled playfully.
“You’re the one who asked the question first, remember?”

“Yeah. I let my emotions get the better of me and asked something I shouldn’t have.”
He’d meant to tease, but the way Felix calmly admitted fault left Lowell speechless. Instead, he focused on clearing out the residue left behind from that old knot.
“But…”

Saying it out loud took more courage than expected. But Lowell knew—it was better to let such thoughts out than let them rot inside.
“I hope… that no matter what happens, you live well.”
In truth, it was a selfish wish. The closer he came to happiness, the more he was haunted by the fear that the world might snatch it all away in an instant.

If that happens… Felix probably won’t be able to handle it.
If the original owner of his body ever returned, Lowell was sure Felix would know immediately. It wasn’t something that could be hidden with amnesia or trickery. At least, not with the Felix Lowell had come to know.
“That won’t happen, so there’s no need to say such things—but I’ll say this clearly. I can’t live well without you.”

Oblivious to Lowell’s inner fear, Felix shook his head firmly in reply.
“That much, I know for certain. So take good care of yourself.”
“I will.”

Lowell gave his answer—while cursing himself inwardly.
Feels like I tried to offload a burden and just got handed another one.
He considered it the price for asking a question he already knew the answer to.

Don’t get stuck on things that may or may not happen. Just focus on what’s in front of you.
He tried to convince himself—but the unease didn’t fully lift.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to try that one?”

Felix, too, wanted to change the subject. Just imagining Lowell disappearing made his head spin. Even though they had only just become one yesterday.
“Oh, right. It was some kind of sweet rice dish with lots of vegetables?”
“You liked that chicken dish too. Should we try that as well?”

As if nothing had happened, the two wandered between stalls, browsing foods and picking out whatever looked tasty. Though many were eating by the riverside, they decided to take their food back to the inn to eat together.
***
Lowell was tired—but with the food right in front of him, his mouth watered. He found it funny, but better to have an appetite than none at all.

Better eat while I can.
He stuffed a skewer of salted chicken thigh into his mouth. Felix watched him quietly, hands still. Even after Lowell had eaten more than half the skewer, Felix hadn’t moved.
“You should eat too, Felix.”

Only when Lowell looked flustered did Felix finally pick up his own food. As usual, he pretended not to care much for meals—but when he took a bite of the same chicken skewer Lowell had chosen, his eyes widened.
“Is it good?”
“…It’s not bad.”

That strange discomfort he usually felt while swallowing food was gone. For once, he continued eating with a faint, content look.
“Try this one too.”
Normally, Lowell was the one being encouraged to eat. But now, the roles had reversed. Watching Felix eat properly, Lowell couldn’t hide his pride.

So that’s why he was always trying to make me eat more.
Feeling touched, Lowell kept offering him more bites.
“Stop hoarding food like a mother cat feeding her kittens, and eat some yourself.”

As Lowell kept piling food in front of him, Felix retaliated by feeding him directly. The two finished their meal peacefully, forgetting the heavy conversation they’d just had.
But peace, it seemed, was only granted up to that point. Urgent footsteps pounded the floor, followed by a sharp knock.
“Your Grace!”

The voice came without waiting for permission. Felix’s gentle smile vanished.
“What is it?”
“There’s… there’s a letter you need to see. Urgently.”

The one holding the letter was none other than Tony.
Tony was supposed to be guarding the estate. If he came all the way here—it must be serious.
Cold sweat trickled down Lowell’s spine. The unease that had lingered like a shadow now flooded his entire body.

“This way.”
Tony handed the letter to Felix, eyes darting nervously. His /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ flustered emotions had gotten ahead of him, and now he was clearly regretting it.
Felix, completely ignoring him, unfolded the letter. His expression darkened almost immediately—a fury he never showed when Lowell was nearby.

“We’re returning to the castle. Now.”
The letter crumpled in Felix’s fist.