“It could have ended. If I hadn’t taken any action from the start.”

Reynard now raised his hand to caress Valentin’s belly. He felt the baby’s very small flinching movement.

What action did he take? Valentin raised a question mark above his head.

“You…?”

Reynard gently stroked Valentin’s belly and waist as he slowly began to explain.

“Yes. On our wedding day, I subtly flaunted friendliness towards the 1st Princess. He started to twist from there. But an even bigger issue happened next. You, a famous dominant omega in high society from the Viscount Wiche family, known for being one of the wealthiest on the continent, with a solid position in the Grand Duke’s family to the point of conceiving an heir right away, openly started actively supporting the Princess. So what do you think he thought?”

“Ah…”

“Your birth family’s wealth, that influence, you who were envied by everyone in high society. He worried that everyone’s support would turn towards the Princess, opposite from him.”

Valentin’s brow furrowed at his words explaining so that he could understand clearly.

“…How vile.”

“To that bastard, it must have felt like another obstacle had grown just when he thought the throne was his due to the success of the new drug business. To the Prince who was contemplating strategies to overcome that situation, you, Valentin, are no different from very easy prey.”

“What a godforsaken bastard…”

Even as Valentin was about to spit out something like a curse while grinding his teeth, Reynard didn’t stop him. His expression said he wanted to curse even more if he could. Somehow it seemed he was getting vicarious satisfaction watching Valentin curse without restraint…

“We can assume he thought that if he could drive a wedge between us and make our relationship distant, support for the Princess would weaken too.”

“That really sounds like something a lowly person would think.”

“Yes. Thank you for not falling for that bastard’s ploy. An angel of wisdom must have descended upon you.”

When Reynard used another cringeworthy expression about his omega, Valentin shuddered and pushed his husband’s shoulder.

“Except for the year-end opera performance next week, I need to avoid creating opportunities to face His Highness Clifton for a while now.”

“What’s the reason only that performance is an exception to this great plan?”

He looked displeased that one thing was included when he would have preferred everything to be excluded. Reynard’s eyebrow drew a diagonal line on one side.

That was understandable, as the year-end opera was a very important end-of-year event in Eldon held annually at the Imperial Opera House, and there was no way the 3rd Prince wouldn’t attend.

“I really want to help Her Highness Ellison that day.”

“Hmm…”

“Her Highness the Princess is being pushed into a defensive position now. Though such detailed words weren’t written in the card she sent me, I have eyes and ears too. The newspapers and weekly magazines are all talking about it.”

The 1st Princess’s position hadn’t been good since the new drug.

Valentin couldn’t just sit by and watch the vile Clifton try to become Emperor. A country ruled by such a person would be truly terrible.

“I promise. After this, I’ll refrain from going out until I give birth.”

“…I don’t want to confine you.”

He speaks well despite having confined me telling me not to go out again for a while. I know full well that he’s actually someone who wants to keep me in his pocket! Valentin rolled his eyes up and then back down. Finally, he spoke as if he truly loved him and was enduring:

“I know. That you’re worried about me in case something unexpected happens. But what could His Highness Clifton possibly do in a place with so many people present?”

“Valentin, I’ve dealt with many people in the military. And I know how humans can change drastically when cornered.”

Reynard frowned, rubbing his temples.

“His Highness Clifton isn’t cornered yet.”

“Well… Something else will happen soon even without you trying so hard. Can’t you just leave it be?”

“It would be better to make doubly and triply sure. I don’t know exactly what you’re doing, but I intend to clearly show everyone then that I’m directly sharing intentions with Her Highness the Princess.”

“Hmm…”

“You’ll be with me the whole time that day too, right?”

“Alright. I’m the one who said I’d give you the freedom to do anything. I should keep my promise.”

“Thank you, Reynard.”

Valentin hugged his husband’s neck. And pressed his lips to his as he was about to sigh.

“You’re hot…”

“I always get hot when I’m with you…”

Dense pheromones were spreading out centered on Reynard and Valentin.

Moist eyes and heated eyes met in the air.

Immediately, small lips were swallowed by hot lips.

* * *

The next day, Valentin immediately contributed an editorial supporting the Princess to the newspaper.

<Who Truly Opens the Eyes of the People>

It was a blatant title. It was an article Valentin wrote himself with courage.

The main content of the column emphasized the importance of education. While implicitly explaining the theory of a sage who said that when pure children learn together in nature, philanthropy is born based on empathy and trust and the people are enlightened (* referring to Pestalozzi’s ‘The Evening Hour of a Hermit’), he stated his support for the 1st Princess’s establishment of schools in poor areas.

The Daily Eldon newspaper greatly welcomed the contribution from the Grand Duke’s Consort, one of the most popular figures in current high society.

The editorial was immediately published in the newspaper and received much support from the middle class, its main readership. And the very next day, many columns by intellectuals supporting Valentin’s opinion appeared in the Daily Eldon and other women’s weekly magazines.

In contrast, these days articles full of doubts about the new drug were appearing one by one in inconspicuous corners of newspapers.

<Is New Popinsa Really Safe?>

<Exclusive Coverage: People Crying Out About Heavy Heads>

Valentin stared blankly for a long time at such headlines with an uneasy feeling.

*

A busy weekday afternoon when everyone was working busily in their own places.

The people of Lution House were thrown into turmoil.

The delicate mistress carrying the heir had complained of abdominal pain. Dr. McClain, the resident physician of the mansion, was called immediately, and all the maids were busily moving.

“I can’t be certain, but I think it might be a kind of uterine contraction…”

“Doctor. It’s troubling when you speak so imprecisely.”

Dawson, who had been caring for Valentin, finally spoke up at the uncertain words. He was in the midst of wiping Valentin’s sweat with a white cotton cloth as he lay in bed.

“Dawson. Don’t be like that to the doctor. It was just temporary, right?”

Dawson did not back down, shaking his head with a serious face.

“Your Highness. I admit this is an area I’m ignorant about. But even I know that abdominal pain at this stage is no ordinary matter.”

Dr. McClain, who was putting away his stethoscope, asked with a grave face:

“Do you happen to know when the obstetrics specialist is supposed to start residing here?”

He asked towards Dawson, who was unable to manage his worried expression, rather than towards Valentin who looked weak. Dawson glanced at the entrance to the bedroom and answered:

“Butler Powell knows the details of that matter, but he’s briefly stepped out to send a messenger to the master…”

“No!”

Valentin’s scream cut off Dawson’s words.

“Go stop him right now, Dawson. Hurry and stop Powell from contacting Reynard.”

“……”

“Quickly!”

Valentin ordered Dawson loudly, with energy coming from somewhere. Urgency was evident in this behavior so unlike his usual self.

As Dawson finally ran out to follow his master’s order, Valentin leaned his body back against the cushions and spoke to McClain. His expression was firmer than ever before.