Pregnancy Is Too Much For The Villain-Chapter 164

“We’ve all sworn our utmost loyalty to the Marquis ever since he showed us great kindness in the past.”

Their comfortable relationship was evident in their cheerful laughter, as they shrugged their shoulders in amusement. Valentin found himself smiling at their lightheartedness.

“Kindness from Reynard?”

It was hard for Valentin to imagine Reynard showing kindness to anyone. Reynard always seemed like the kind of man who would go his own way without regard for anyone else’s circumstances, yet apparently, there was more to him than Valentin had thought.

“Yes. If I may tell you my story…”

Felix removed his hat with an exaggerated gesture, bowing dramatically as if he were a master of ceremonies on a stage.

“By any chance, do you know my elder brother, Sir Sedwick Benson, the lawyer?”

“…No, I don’t.”

“It’s understandable that you don’t. He mostly handles the Marquis’s private affairs. Now, let me take you back to twenty years ago…”

Felix began narrating his story as if he were an actor performing a monologue, recounting his life and how he had crossed paths with Reynard in an entertaining, one-man show style.

He explained how he was an illegitimate son of Viscount Benson, one of the vassals of the Ducal House. His second brother adored him, and when their father tried to send Felix away as a useless and shameful child, Reynard, who was the heir at the time, stepped in at his brother’s desperate request. Reynard had not only taken Felix in but had also raised him within the ducal household, ensuring he received proper noble education and training in manners and martial arts. Reynard even taught Felix how to shoot and fight alongside his own son.

“And that’s how I earned the nickname ‘Number One.’ I was the Marquis’s first and closest confidant.”

Felix puffed his chest with pride as he concluded his tale, folding his arms confidently.

“This woman has a similar story, but she’s only the sixth.”

He clearly enjoyed pointing this out. The word "only" carried an air of dismissal, as if Sabina’s position was insignificant. Sabina glared at him, slightly irritated by the jab, but Valentin found this more natural and endearing than the Sabina he had previously known.

“I may be sixth, but it’s still quite a long-standing relationship,” Sabina said with a knowing smile.

“Well, that’s true. In any case, no one is as close or loyal to the Marquis as we are, so you can relax now, Your Highness.”

It seemed that their detailed stories were meant to put Valentin at ease. Their thoughtfulness and care were more evident than he had expected, and he felt some of the tension leave his shoulders.

“We’re fortunate to have found you quicker than expected,” Felix added.

“I found him! I told you he’d come this way, didn’t I? My sharp instincts never fail! That’s why my name means ‘fortune’!”

“Enough bragging,” Sabina snapped, unable to hold back her exasperation at Felix’s boastful display.

“Now that we’ve explained our situation, let’s get to the main issue,” Sabina said, her tone becoming more serious.

“What happened?” Valentin asked, also adopting a more serious expression.

Sabina nodded and began her explanation.

“…What? Reynard is imprisoned in the royal palace’s underground dungeon?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Valentin’s shocked cry filled the first-class compartment.

What in the world is going on…? It was already bad enough that the Third Prince’s business had collapsed, his employees had caused a commotion, and society was in an uproar—but a duel of honor? And now Reynard had been arrested because of it?

“How did the police get involved in something that happened during an honor duel?”

“That part is highly suspicious, but it’s clear the Third Prince orchestrated it…”

“Felix! Instead of jumping to conclusions, talk about the facts. Your Highness may already be aware, but technically, honor duels have been illegal since the reign of the former Emperor. While it’s a traditional right of gentlemen, the law still exists. Even though many nobles ignore the law and duel anyway, it is still a valid legal clause. No one ever reports it, but there’s always the potential…”

“That’s exactly what my brother the lawyer explained. If you pull at that legal thread, it can be used to manipulate things however you want, depending on the situation.”

Felix pounded his chest in frustration, his face showing how unfair and infuriating the situation was.

“That prince was planning to let things slide if I won, but he had the police standing by just in case he lost. That’s the only explanation.”

“I can’t believe the Third Prince would go that far…”

Reynard had been thrown into the underground prison without a proper trial. It was as if he were being treated like a traitor attempting rebellion. How could this happen?

“What about the Grand Duke? He wouldn’t just stand by and allow this to happen…!”

At Valentin’s desperate question, Felix and Sabina shook their heads solemnly.

“Before this, the Marquis made a formal declaration that he was completely separating himself from all family rights and duties, apart from maintaining the castle. It was even notarized legally.”

This meant that Reynard, as the Marquis of Valkeres, could no longer be protected by the Denox family. Upon hearing this, Valentin felt as though his heart had dropped out of his chest. Why…? Why would he do this? Why would he give up the noble status that Valentin had wanted to protect, even at the cost of leaving him?

‘Was revenge that important to you?’

Valentin had wanted Reynard to remain proudly in his lofty position. But now, seeing Valentin’s confusion, Sabina spoke cautiously.

“The Marquis didn’t want anyone, including his family, to suffer because of his actions. He even accepted the divorce for the same reason…”

“Sabina, stop,” Felix interrupted, his voice cold and authoritative. It was clear that continuing would be overstepping her bounds.

But Valentin had already heard enough.

Realizing why Reynard had accepted their divorce, Valentin’s heart ached. He was a man who had endured so much pain, to the point where he had cut ties with everyone and everything just to seek revenge. And he had even tricked Valentin, shouldering the burden alone. My poor, beloved Reynard…

There was no way Reynard could have asked Valentin to share this burden with him, not when Valentin had been so hurt, so broken. How could he have asked that? Reynard had always wanted to protect Valentin, to shield him from the ugly parts of the world, letting him see only the beautiful things. Valentin knew that about his husband—he had always kept him safe and hidden in a place where he could be cherished. But now…

‘Now, I will save you, Reynard.’

Wiping his face with a handkerchief, Valentin set his expression with newfound determination.

He was no longer weak.

He was no longer the fragile person who had been hurt by others and spent his days crying in the shadows. Through his journey, through the people he had met, and through the courage he had gained, Valentin had been reborn.

‘Since my husband is in danger, I will throw myself into the storm to save him.’

With a firm resolve, Valentin straightened his back and declared clearly, “If the Grand Duke can’t intervene in this matter, then there’s only one person I can think of who might be able to.”

“Who…?”

“Is it possible to send a telegraph to Eldon faster than this train can travel?”

Seeing the resolve in Valentin’s eyes, both Felix and Sabina nodded gravely, understanding his intent.

It was time to take action.