The Obsession of the Tyrant Sub-Male Lead is Unnecessary

Episode 25

After the brief introductions, the chefs, genealogists, and professors all left. Mary, excited, led the chefs down to the kitchen.

In the suddenly quiet bedroom, Carlos leaned back in his chair, looking very satisfied.

“The ruler of Waterfall made things easier.”

“My father?!” Verona asked in surprise.

“Surely… you didn’t tell him about the pregnancy?”

“I informed him along with the news of our engagement. He was delighted.”

That couldn’t be right.

She felt puzzled. While her father would be pleased that she found a man to spend her life with, if he knew it was the Emperor of Clarence, he would likely be overwhelmed. Her sickly father assisting with finding chefs seemed out of character.

“He also sent seafood from Waterfall, so we could cook it right away. How about grilled shrimp and salmon salad for lunch, in Waterfall style?”

“Shrimp and salmon? From Waterfall?”

That seemed odd. No matter how close Waterfall and Clarence were, seafood spoiled quickly. Verona could swim between the two countries in less than half a day as a mermaid, but it would take a day for a human to travel, and two days with a large group and supplies.

“Retrius helped out a bit.”

Carlos nodded towards Retrius. Verona looked at the drowsy Retrius, leaning against the door, his eyes hollow.

“I woke him at dawn to go to Waterfall. The seafood he brought back is fresh. It won’t spoil, so it’s safe to eat.”

“That was possible?”

“Though he’s not entirely reliable, he’s still a dragon. He learned basic transportation magic, which turned out useful. It also helped soften the shock for your father.”

“How?”

“Healing magic.”

Carlos explained simply.

“It’s an old illness, so it couldn’t be completely cured, and Retrius’s magic isn’t that strong, but it was better than any human physician. Since your father worried about being separated from you, I had to tell him about the pregnancy.”

He held her hand gently, patting it.

“Don’t worry about your father anymore. I’ll take care of his health.”

Verona’s heart fluttered. She hadn’t expected him to be so considerate.

As she started to tear up, Carlos quickly handed her an almond cookie.

“Here, eat this. It was made from dough brought from Waterfall’s castle. Starting tomorrow, I’ll have them baked fresh for you.”

With reddened eyes, Verona took a bite of the cookie. It was crispy, savory, and full of her favorite nuts.

“The ruler of Waterfall asked me to give you this letter.”

Carlos, watching her eat the cookie with satisfaction, pulled a letter from his coat and handed it to her. Verona broke the seal and read the letter.

[Don’t worry, Verona. Don’t be too tied down by your duties. Before being a princess, you are a person. Thanks to His Majesty, I will manage Waterfall well in your absence. Having an heir is a good thing for the future.]

Her father’s lively tone put her mind at ease.

It was most stable for the royal family to have two generations residing in Waterfall. With the current king’s health intact, it wasn’t a problem for the heir to be away for a while.

Especially since Carlos had created a lake with seawater in the garden, she could channel her energy through that.

‘Maybe that’s why he’s happy about me having the Emperor’s child.’

Verona’s heart pounded. She felt as if a weight had been lifted. Her father’s comforting words greatly relieved her.

Had she not been involved with the Emperor, she could never have dreamed of her father’s health improving.

Now, she didn’t have to worry about her father passing away before the heir was born.

Moreover, Carlos wanted to make a good impression on her father, who would be the child’s grandfather…

‘Wait a minute. This means Waterfall won’t be conquered?’

Verona had a major realization.

Even though losing the child to be the heir to Clarence was still a problem, the current situation wasn’t bad. It was actually quite favorable.

If Carlos continued to improve her father’s health through Retrius and took care of Waterfall, it was beneficial.

Since her pregnancy was confirmed, her plan to fade into the background was now impossible.

‘And…’

Verona glanced at Olivia, who had come in to clear the dishes. Olivia’s eyes briefly met Carlos’s and then quickly looked down.

It felt different now. The thought of Carlos showing interest in Olivia made her chest ache.

If Carlos became interested in Olivia, it would follow the original story where the secondary male lead shows interest in the female lead. But now, the thought of Carlos, the father of her child, being interested in another woman was unsettling.

Maybe she had grown used to Carlos being attached to her.

Seeing him smile, saying he would be a good father to their child, she couldn’t bear the thought of him being obsessed with Olivia.

‘Why am I being so fickle? Is this because of the pregnancy?’

They say emotions fluctuate a lot during pregnancy, so maybe that was it.

Verona watched Carlos, who didn’t even glance at Olivia, and thought.

‘If not for the issue of succession, there’d be nothing to worry about.’

But she couldn’t split the child in half.

Verona sighed deeply. Carlos jumped up, alarmed, and immediately called for the royal physician. His sudden actions bewildered her.

“Why are you doing this, Carlos?”

“Don’t worry, Verona. It’ll be okay.”

“What am I worrying about…”

“I’ve stationed the royal physician on the first floor of the separate palace. He’ll be here right away.”

Carlos, with a serious expression, cupped her cheek.

“Of course, I know my child will be fine, but if you’re worried, it’s good to hear the physician’s opinion.”

“What am I supposed to be worried about?”

“About everything that’s happened.”

“…What?”

“Sleeping tea, apple wine, and the night of our engagement,” Carlos said.

Verona’s heart sank. She realized that all three events were indeed terrible for a pregnant woman.

The sleeping tea Olivia had given her was just over ten days after her night with Carlos, so it was less concerning. However, even if apple wine had a low alcohol content, it was still alcohol. And their second night together had been as intense as the first.

Though it happened when she didn’t know she was pregnant and was only about two weeks along, it now felt like a significant issue.

By the time Verona’s face had turned pale, the royal physician arrived, panting.

“Burton, based on what I previously mentioned, give Verona your judgment.”

Prompted by Carlos, Burton opened his medical bag and examined Verona, then said,

“As I mentioned before, the princess is in very good health.”

“Really?” Verona asked, hope in her voice.

“Of course, alcohol consumption and intense activity during early pregnancy are certainly concerning. However,”

Verona swallowed nervously, waiting for Burton’s next words.

“With my medical expertise, having graduated top of my class from the Academy, I can assure you that the fetus is very healthy. Also, considering the royal lineage…”

But then Carlos gave a small cough. Burton, catching his eye, hurriedly corrected himself.

“I mean, His Majesty and the Princess are both extremely healthy, so their child is also fine.”

“But even if the parents are healthy, it doesn’t mean those actions won’t cause harm, right?”

“Well, that is…”

Burton seemed to want to say more, but Carlos’s stern look silenced him.

“Burton, you can go now. Focus on preparing nutritional supplements for Verona.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll take my leave.”

Burton left as hurriedly as he had arrived. Verona realized she wouldn’t get more answers from him and turned to Carlos.

“There’s something I don’t know, right? Carlos, you know, don’t you?”

“What?”

“Burton mentioned the royal lineage earlier.”

“The child in your womb is indeed of Clarence royal blood.”

“Does that have anything to do with the physician’s diagnosis?”

“The royal bloodline has always been exceptionally healthy.”

“….”

“You’ll soon understand how special our bloodline is, even from within the womb.”

Carlos’s confident demeanor, despite its absurdity, reassured Verona that the child would be fine.

‘If anything had gone wrong with the baby…’

The thought alone made her feel faint. The child was now more precious to her than anything.

“So, let’s have shrimp and salmon for lunch. I’ll instruct the chefs before I go.”

Carlos stood up.

“I’d like to stay and eat with you, but I postponed a morning meeting because I went to Waterfall. Sorry.”

“Oh… It’s okay. You should go, you must be busy.”

Knowing he had postponed state affairs to fetch seafood for her made her feel both guilty and happy.

Carlos gave her a light kiss on the forehead before leaving. As soon as he was gone, Retrius walked in, yawning and slumping into a chair.

“I’m exhausted. I’ve been working since dawn, so please let me rest, Princess.”

“Though you say you’re not good at magic, you’re still a dragon, so you’re quite capable. Thanks, Retrius. You can rest as much as you need.”

“Thanks for understanding. His Majesty uses me like it’s only natural.”

Despite his complaints, Retrius yawned again. Verona realized why there had been no guards or dogs on watch this morning; Retrius had been with Carlos to Waterfall.

“You heard His Majesty, right? Just relax and live comfortably. That’s the best thing for the baby. Otherwise, I’ll be in trouble with His Majesty.”

“Got it. But Retrius, can you tell me more about something?”

“What is it?”

“You mentioned that spending the night with Carlos would result in a child. Is that related to the royal lineage?”

“It’s more specific to His Majesty’s children. Because His Majesty…”

Retrius trailed off, realizing he might have said too much.

“Because His Majesty what?” Verona pressed.

Retrius hesitated but then sighed, realizing he couldn’t avoid it.

“His Majesty has a unique power. He can ensure that any woman he spends the night with will conceive. It’s a rare and powerful trait.”

Verona’s eyes widened in shock.

“So that’s why he was so confident…”

“Yes. That’s why he avoided women for so long. He didn’t want to have children with just anyone.”

It all made sense now. Carlos’s intense caution and his obsession with finding the right person for his heir were rooted in this extraordinary ability.

Verona felt a strange mix of emotions. Knowing Carlos had chosen her to be the mother of his child was overwhelming, yet she couldn’t deny the relief that the child would be healthy and strong.

“Retrius, thank you for telling me. I appreciate your honesty.”

“Just take care of yourself and the baby, Princess. That’s all that matters now.”

Verona nodded, feeling a newfound sense of responsibility and resolve.