Pregnancy Is Too Much For The Villain-Chapter 161

Thus, Valentin ended up wearing a ridiculous yet strangely warm outfit, thanks to the overwhelming kindness of the men. Around his neck was a fox tail scarf, supposedly hand-made by one of them, followed by a leather vest embroidered with colorful patterns, a turban that covered his ears, a geometric-patterned shawl typical of the Arab world, and rabbit-fur cuffs wrapped around his ankles.

It wasn’t aesthetically pleasing in the slightest, but it focused entirely on practicality and warmth. Valentin looked like a clown dressed up for winter, reminiscent of an old movie scene where an elderly lady feeds pigeons in Central Park. The ensemble was bizarre, but Valentin couldn’t help but smile at the warmth of their kindness.

When Valentin politely refused the gold coins they tried to give him out of pity, the men teared up and insisted, giving him silver and copper coins instead, one by one, for travel expenses.

Feeling too guilty to accept the money for free, Valentin repaid them by sketching simple portraits of each man. The middle-aged men chuckled heartily at the distinctive likenesses of themselves in the drawings.

A few days later, Valentin disembarked in Israel with a pouch full of coins he had earned from his portraits, still wearing his ridiculous yet warm outfit. He also had numerous letters and parchment papers vouching for his identity. Despite his usual terrible luck, Valentin couldn’t help but feel grateful for the kindness of others. Waving goodbye to the merchant men he had come to know, he set off with a heart full of gratitude.

Watching the ship sail away with a wistful expression, Valentin took his first step.

For the first time, Valentin was truly alone.

Born as a noble omega, Valentin had always been surrounded by love and protection. His family’s alphas had always taken care of him, and after marriage, Reynard had cared for him as well. Even during his travels, he had always been accompanied by guides and those responsible for his safety.

But now, all Valentin had were the clothes gifted by kind strangers, a pouch full of coins, and the art supplies on his back. It was the first time he had arrived in a foreign country with so little—at a place and time that were entirely unintended.

Whenever fear crept in, whispering doubts about whether someone might threaten or harm him, Valentin steeled his resolve. He wanted to prove to himself that he could stand on his own as an adult.

With the introduction letters he received, Valentin calmly managed to secure a horse in the unfamiliar city, along with water, bread, and jerky for the journey ahead. Though he had the supplies, crossing the treacherous desert alone was still too dangerous. He lacked experience, and using a compass to navigate was not something he was skilled at.

For safety, he asked if he could travel with a group of wealthy merchants. The signatures from the men who had vouched for his identity paid off handsomely. The merchants, now at ease with the prince-like figure who seemed both princely and bedraggled, nodded in agreement.

With great effort, Valentin reached the capital city of Jerusalem in Azrael.

“We’ll be staying here for a while to conduct business. Would you like to join us?” the leader of the merchant group asked after a few days of travel.

“No, thank you. I’m truly grateful for everything! I just plan to stop by the temple briefly before I continue on my way,” Valentin replied.

He was eager to return to the empire as soon as possible to meet Reynard. There was no time to delay.

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

After bidding farewell to the merchants, Valentin took the reins of his horse once more. His destination was the grand temple from the scriptures. As a devout follower, he couldn’t pass by such a sacred place without stopping—it was a highlight of the pilgrimage.

"I want to pray for my child."

Though the pregnancy was unexpected, the child was precious. He couldn’t bear to lose this one. His overwhelming desire for his family’s safety led him to seek divine protection.

Valentin entrusted his horse and belongings to a traveler's inn and set off for the temple, built upon the golden-brown earth, its history etched in every stone. This was where the Messiah had once spread his teachings. With determination in his steps, Valentin walked toward the temple to offer prayers for his family’s safety. From the jingling pouch filled with coins, he selected a few silver coins to offer as a donation.

Amidst the throngs of pilgrims from various countries, Valentin stood in line, made his offering, and finally found an empty seat. He sat down and clasped his hands together in prayer.

“Please keep my family healthy. Let this child be born safely without any complications. Let no harm come to us on our journey back… And please… I hope Reynard won’t reject me and the child….”

He added his last, anxious wish with a heavy heart.

The worries still clung to him, even as he made his way back to Reynard. After leaving with the confident declaration that Reynard should find someone else, here he was, shamelessly asking to be taken back. Could he really go back after all this? Valentin still didn’t know for sure.

Overcome by the weariness of his journey and the uncertainty of his future, Valentin’s eyes filled with tears, and he sniffled. Noticing this, an elderly man seated beside him gently tapped Valentin on the shoulder and handed him a white handkerchief.

“…Thank you.”

Valentin, aware that the city was filled with foreigners of all races and ethnicities, responded in the local language. But when he looked up to accept the handkerchief and saw the man’s face…

“…Archbishop Johan?”

What…? Why is he here…? The melody playing in the background suddenly felt eerily familiar.

“Ho ho, what a surprise! I didn’t recognize you, Grand Duke Valentin, with such different attire.”

It was none other than Archbishop Johan, the elderly man who had officiated Valentin and Reynard’s wedding. He was also the head of the Anglican Church of the Heston Empire.

"Wait… What is this…?"

Valentin was so shocked that he couldn’t greet him properly, stammering as he shook the Archbishop’s hand in disbelief.

"What brings you here…?"

Though it was strange enough for him to be in this place at this time, Valentin spoke as if he were welcoming an unexpected guest to his home: "Oh my, what brings you to such a humble place?" It was a display of utter foolishness.

“What else could bring me to the grand temple other than a pilgrimage?” Archbishop Johan chuckled kindly, answering Valentin’s dumbfounded question.

“And you, Your Grace, must be here on a pilgrimage as well?”

“No, I… yes, well… I just happened to pass by…”

Valentin stammered, unable to explain the series of extraordinary events that had led him there. The Archbishop, seeming to understand Valentin’s confusion, simply nodded.

“Everything happens according to the Lord’s will.”

“Ah, yes…”

The Archbishop’s words, as befitting a clergyman, were met with Valentin’s polite agreement.

“But Archbishop, I am no longer the Grand Duke…”

It had been a long time since the divorce process had started. By now, the paperwork would have been completed, and the couple would officially be strangers. Being called the Grand Duke of Deynox felt awkward and uncomfortable, especially since Archbishop Johan had been the witness and officiant of their marriage and would have likely signed the divorce papers as well.

But the Archbishop gently refuted Valentin’s words.

“You are still the Grand Duke.”

His reply was firm and without hesitation, causing Valentin to meet his gaze, eyes wide with confusion.

“I haven’t signed your divorce papers yet. So, the two of you are still married, and you are still the Grand Duke.”

Archbishop Johan smiled kindly, as if he knew everything, leaving Valentin dumbstruck. Where do I even begin…? The nuance in the Archbishop’s words suggested he was well aware of their situation.

Valentin stared at Archbishop Johan, his mouth slightly open in disbelief. How was this possible? He and Reynard had been separated for so long, and the divorce should have been finalized by now. Yet here was the Archbishop, calmly telling him that the process hadn’t been completed.

"But… how…?" Valentin stammered, still trying to comprehend the situation.

The Archbishop smiled warmly, as if he had all the answers. "I have not yet signed the papers, my child. Until I do, you and Reynard are still legally married in the eyes of the Church."

Valentin was at a loss for words. He had left Reynard with the understanding that their marriage was over, that Reynard would move on and find someone else. And now, this news — it was as if all his efforts to distance himself, to make peace with the end of their relationship, had been in vain.

"But… I left him," Valentin whispered, more to himself than to the Archbishop. "I told him to find someone else…."

The Archbishop placed a comforting hand on Valentin's shoulder. "The Lord works in mysterious ways. Perhaps this is His way of giving you both another chance."

Valentin's heart raced at the thought. Could it really be? Was this a sign that he could still reconcile with Reynard, that they could be a family again? And what about the child… would Reynard accept them both?

He had prayed for this moment, for Reynard to not reject him and their child. Yet now, standing here in the grand temple, hearing these words from the Archbishop, he didn’t know whether to feel relieved or more anxious.

Archbishop Johan, noticing Valentin's troubled expression, smiled kindly once again. "Do not worry too much, my child. The Lord has already laid the path before you. Trust in His guidance."

Valentin nodded slowly, still unsure of what the future held, but feeling a glimmer of hope spark within him.