Contrary to what Farell had dismissed, Ivan Ernest’s name was quite famous in the Empire.
This was partly due to his outstanding articles, but it was also closely related to the rapidly rising status of the media outlet “Shellami.”
In other words…
“Have you seen the newsletter published by Shellami? It’s about Countess Bright’s marriage announcement!”
“Yes, I’ve seen it. It’s truly shocking! It’s the first time I’ve heard marriage news delivered through an announcement and interview like this.”
“By the way, wasn’t there a lord who was previously engaged to Countess Bright? Did he break the engagement?”
“Oh, that’s right. I haven’t heard any news about that…”
This meant that he had managed to attract the attention of high society even before Farell, who had publicly threatened to reveal his pregnancy.
[Anonymous person captures the couple’s secret moments!]
[Countess Bright, is she still involved with her ex-fiancé? Is it love or manipulation?]
[The Bright family opens the wedding to the public… Arrangements are made for those not invited to attend.]
Just when it seemed interest would wane, new topics would pop up from somewhere, keeping high society buzzing day after day.
Of course, the one most affected was Farell.
“Milord, even you shouldn’t act like this…!”
“Get out of the way!”
Bang!
“Vivian! What on earth is going on? Announcing your marriage to Ivan Ernest?”
“Farell? I was actually going to visit the Underwood family. The Bright family has already signed the documents. You just need to confirm on your end for the engagement to be officially broken…”
“What kind of nonsense is this? Ha, Vivian, do you think what I said was a joke? Do you think I was just bluffing to scare you?”
“……”
“Ha, haha! Alright. From your expression, I can roughly tell. Alright, let’s go to hell together.”
With eyes ablaze with anger, Farell declared war on Vivian and truly kept his word.
Whether he had prepared for this situation in advance or not, the news of his pregnancy spread at a considerable speed.
However, unfortunately, the situation did not unfold as Farell had hoped.
As countless pieces of information flooded in, people began to become desensitized to what was fact and what was rumor.
“Have you heard that rumor? The one about Countess Bright’s fiancé being pregnant.”
“What? Lord Farell is pregnant! Ahaha! Miss, that’s quite the joke!”
“It’s no joke; it’s something I really heard. They say the Count’s family used black magic? I heard there are even photos…”
“Wow, this is getting ridiculous. I guess this is really shaking up the social circle. Well, we’ll just have to see at the wedding.”
“Will you be attending as well, Miss?”
“Of course!”
Watching all his efforts turn into mere entertainment, Farell gritted his teeth in frustration.
The topic of a man being pregnant and black magic seemed absurd, but it was not something to be treated lightly.
At least it had enough weight to be preyed on by the families that were eyeing the Count’s family.
“But how did that idiot Ivan ruin everything with just a few words?!”
– Crash!
In frustration, Farell threw the objects on the table, taking harsh breaths.
‘How did he manage to think of a way out of this?’
Surely, when he revealed this fact, the Count’s family and his reaction were not like this.
‘Could it be that he figured something out in such a short time? No, it wouldn’t matter even if he did.’
It was true that he had the child through black magic.
‘Of course, that gloomy black magician said the condition of the child couldn’t be guaranteed and that the risks were high…’
But that was of no concern to Farell. Having a child was merely a means to secure his place next to Vivian.
‘If this continues, I might really have to call off the engagement.’
Although he had confidently claimed he could handle the situation, the Underwood family had yet to react, but this was reaching his limit.
In a situation that wasn’t unfolding as he wished, he nervously bit his nails and rolled his eyes.
‘The wedding.’
If there was a chance for him, it would be then—on the day of the wedding, when they would ask if there was any opposition.
Farell’s eyes glistened with dark emotions.
As he stared into the void, a sudden thought crossed his mind.
‘They said they would hold the wedding publicly.’
Even without invitations, anyone could attend.
‘Anyone…’
Thinking about it again, it was so fundamentally absurd that it left him speechless. A wedding of a prestigious noble family was no joke, and to do something like this publicly without invitations was outrageous.
‘It seems they want to show their love widely to everyone, probably because they see her partner as inferior…’
That difference in status would ultimately be their downfall.
Farell took a deep breath, his pride wounded by the fact that he had been outranked by a commoner. He placed his hand on his stomach.
Was it because of using black magic instead of normal methods?He felt as if his belly was swelling much faster than that of an ordinary pregnant woman.
‘Honestly, this is a good thing right now.’
There would be no clearer evidence than a visibly pregnant person.
With a newfound determination, Farell got up and hastily put on his outer garment, then left the mansion.
It was time to visit that black magician who had helped him conceive.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Meanwhile, the protagonist of the rumors shaking high society, Ivan Ernest, was once again tapping away at his typewriter today.
It wasn’t because of overtime work or personal interviews, but rather due to the insights of a particular reader.
A very important and discerning reader that he couldn’t ignore.
[Please write it a bit more dramatic and natural so people can feel more affection. It’s a love story of the century, but it shouldn’t be too sticky; it should feel fresh?]
[You wrote well about how much the Countess Bright has dedicated herself to the Empire, but why does it falter when it comes to the love story of the two?]
The feedback sent by Idel through the artifact was surprisingly sharp for a child, yet at the same time, it was as reckless as a child could be.
‘It’s really strange.’
Shaking his head, Ivan’s fingers slowed again as he typed.
‘Strange, indeed…’
Certainly, the recent situation felt like a bizarre dream to Ivan.
Absurd events suddenly disrupted his daily life and brought about another change.
And at the center of it all, naturally, was Idel Clementine.
‘This time, too. I never thought I would suddenly get married like this.’
That day, Idel had abruptly declared that she would use him, insisting that he should fully utilize the fact that he is a journalist and suggested making the wedding announcement in the newsletter—a truly outrageous proposal.
Even now, he could almost hear her clear voice.
‘No, who said you’re really getting married? Well, it wouldn’t hurt to do it, but… what I mean is, we should set a trap. To our advantage.’
‘That is…’
‘Knowing that guy’s personality, he’ll cause some trouble eventually, so wouldn’t it be better to let him be the main character on the stage we prepared?’
Remembering her mischievous smile, he suddenly had another thought.
‘How did Idel get caught up in such rumors?’
The Idel he saw was a kind child, although not honest and with a narrow peer group.
‘She’s quite sharp too.’
Ah, could that be the reason?
Idel did not think or act like a typical noble child.
What noble child would use a “newspaper article” to intentionally suggest leaking information?
‘I was told that rumors could be blocked by rumors.’
Whenever he saw her shining blue eyes, Ivan occasionally wondered how she came up with such ideas.
‘If Idel had spoken in a dishonest and awkward tone and said things that were out of the ordinary…’
It was highly likely that people would judge her based solely on her appearance. After all, it’s easy to reject what’s unfamiliar.
Especially in Idel’s case, since she was still too young to debut in the social circle, rumors spread easily.
‘…She must have gone through a lot of emotional turmoil.’
It was clear that the glances she received were difficult for a child to brush off. She might have already been hurt.
As Ivan considered this, his determined eyes quietly shone beyond his glasses.
Although Idel claimed she was helping because of her own feelings, regardless of the reason, Ivan had received great help from her.
He could even say she was a benefactor. So…
‘Therefore, next time, I hope I can be of help to you, Miss Idel.’
