Pregnancy Is Too Much For The Villain-Chapter 163

Felix began appealing to the crowd, gesturing dramatically towards Valentin.

Clutching the rabbit-fur cuffs—an old and rather pungent gift from the merchants Valentin had traveled with—Felix knelt dramatically at Valentin’s feet. The cuffs, while given with kindness, added to the ragged appearance that made Valentin look like a poor wanderer who had spent fifty years living in the wilderness.

“Our beloved Grand Duke Consort…!”

“Who would dare do such a thing to the consort of the Grand Duke?! If it isn’t an attack on House Deynox itself, then who could possibly be behind this?!”

While Valentin stood there, stunned and speechless, Felix’s voice resonated through the crowd, and soon the soldiers, too, fell to their knees, wailing in unison. The cries of despair echoed through the crowd, creating a commotion as murmurs spread among the onlookers. Valentin was utterly caught off guard, suddenly the center of attention as the “poor victim” Felix had made him out to be. He didn’t need to play along—it was all too real, his appearance fitting the tragic role Felix had created.

After what seemed like enough drama to satisfy the crowd, Felix and the soldiers quickly gathered around Valentin and escorted him away, two lines of guards shielding him from view.

The port was left in chaos, buzzing with murmurs and excitement, as the theatrical scene still lingered in the minds of those who had witnessed it.

Meanwhile, further back in the crowd, a man tapped the shoulder of a photographer and let out a gleeful laugh.

“This is a scoop…! An absolute scoop!”

“Are you sure it’s okay to publish this?” the photographer asked hesitantly, unsure about the spectacle they had just captured.

The reporter patted the photographer on the back, nodding confidently. “Of course! The press has been in a frenzy every day over the third prince and the Deynox affair!”

They had come to White Pearl Harbor to cover a dull assignment—the launch of a company’s steamship—and ended up with a sensational story. The reporter helped the photographer pack up his tent-sized camera and equipment, all the while feeling elated, as if he’d just struck gold.

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“What on earth is going on?” Valentin asked once they were safely inside a small hotel where Felix had arranged for him to bathe and change into hastily bought clothes. They boarded a train to Eldon shortly after.

Felix’s face was alive with curiosity, eager to hear the full story. Despite his best efforts to remain composed, his excitement was obvious. Valentin, glancing at the man’s sharp yet unassuming face, hesitated before speaking.

“Well… I, um… lost my way, and somehow… ended up like this….”

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Although Felix already knew Valentin’s identity, this was their first meeting, and Valentin felt awkward explaining his embarrassing situation. How could he describe his foolish misadventure without coming across as completely ridiculous? His face reflected his internal struggle, his expression resembling that of a squirrel wondering where to hide its acorns. Felix, trying to stifle his laughter, lowered his head, graciously hiding his amusement. It seemed he had decided to keep the secrets of the Grand Duke Consort’s misadventure to himself.

“I heard you were separated from your guide at the port when you were crossing the Carib Sea. Knowing the route you’d likely take, we waited here to find you,” Felix explained.

“Is that so…?”

That made things easier!

Valentin’s face brightened slightly at the realization that he wouldn’t need to explain every little detail of his humiliating journey. Although the fatigue of the long trip still showed on his face, Felix thought that even in this worn state, Valentin shone with the grace and kindness of a noble consort. He found himself wondering how someone so gentle and pure could be paired with someone like his lord.

After listening to Valentin’s brief account of his journey, Felix's expression grew more serious as he shifted the topic.

“Actually, while you’ve been away, there has been… a situation.”

“A situation?” Valentin asked, concerned by Felix’s grave tone. Just as he was about to explain, a knock came from the door of their first-class train compartment.

“Hello.”

A soft, melodious voice accompanied the knock, and Valentin quickly turned his head toward the door.

“It’s been a while, Your Grace.”

It was Lady Savina Akal…! Valentin’s face instantly paled. His heart was suddenly pierced by old wounds and lingering doubts.

This was the omega who had, on several occasions, shared secret rendezvous with his alpha in secluded places. Even in public, she had shown interest in Reynard, complimenting him often. Valentin had believed that Reynard’s pheromones were something only he could withstand, yet Savina had seemed unaffected. And as a female omega—considered more suitable for childbearing than a male omega—she had been personally recommended by the emperor. This was someone who had intruded into what Valentin thought was a uniquely exclusive bond with Reynard.

Valentin’s face stiffened as these thoughts resurfaced. And to make matters worse, he was meeting her looking like a complete mess… the humiliation was unbearable.

Though she was technically just another omega the emperor had tried to pair with Reynard, Valentin’s insecurities had built up over time, making her feel like a rival. His instincts made him tense up in her presence—a natural reaction, given all he didn’t know about the situation.

Felix, perceptive as ever, noticed Valentin’s reaction and began to clarify the misunderstanding.

“Savina, like me, serves the marquis,” he explained.

“…What?” Valentin blinked in confusion, his tense expression faltering. Lady Savina, now understanding the look on his face, smiled warmly and walked gracefully toward him.

“Pardon the misunderstanding, Your Grace,” she said softly.

She sat down beside Felix, lifting the hem of her simple dress to reveal her ankle.

Wait… a man shouldn’t be looking at a lady’s exposed ankle! Valentin quickly averted his gaze, but Savina gently stopped him.

“Please, take a closer look, Your Grace.”

“Huh?”

There, on the inside of her left ankle, was a tattoo of a sea dragon entwined with the number six—the same mark Felix bore on his arm.

Now finally understanding the truth of her identity, Valentin pointed back and forth between Felix and Savina, speechless. Savina smiled, finishing her explanation.

“Let me reintroduce myself. I am Savina Akal, known as ‘the sixth.’ One of the marquis’s closest confidants.”

“That’s correct. I can personally vouch for her,” Felix added with a firm nod, patting his chest to emphasize his point.

Though there was an awkward tension between Felix and Savina as they sat together, Felix made it clear that Savina was fully trustworthy. Valentin, meanwhile, began to piece together parts of the puzzle that had long troubled him.

So that’s what it was. Finally, Valentin understood why Reynard had often been in secretive meetings with Savina. The cloud of doubt that had weighed heavily on his heart for so long seemed to lift.

“Then… all those times you two were together in secret…?”

“Yes, I was undercover, reporting to the marquis,” Savina explained.

“And the fact that you were able to withstand Reynard’s pheromones…?”

Since she was one of Reynard’s closest confidants, she must have known about his pheromone problem. Valentin cautiously brought up the delicate topic, a question that had long lingered in his mind.

“Oh…!”

Savina, ever observant, immediately noticed the unease in Valentin’s eyes.

“The reason I can endure the marquis’s pheromones is…”