She is the Daughter of the Villainess in a ridiculous Novel

 

“Um… yes?”

Ivan understood the confusion in the eyes of the two children. The statement “Lord Farell is pregnant” was something that shattered biological common sense.

“I’m sorry. I should have given a bit more context.”

With a hint of awkwardness in his green eyes, Ivan began to explain in more detail.

“So, this happened shortly after the commotion at Florent Café.”

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

 

The Count of Bright’s family followed an ancient tradition:

‘Every week, the family gathers for a meal at the start of the week.’

Since this tradition applied to anyone bearing the Bright family name, the dining room of the Count’s residence was filled with silver-haired individuals that day.

The only difference from usual was that among the familiar faces, there was one stranger present.

“Vivian, so who is this child?”

“I thought it was time to introduce him, so I called him over. He’s the person I’m seeing. Ivan?”

“Ah, thank you for having me. I’m Ivan Ernest. Though I’m lacking, I’m working as a journalist in Shellami.”

“Hmm?”

Vivian gently stroked the back of her extremely tense partner’s hand.

In truth, she wanted to take her time and introduce him slowly. After all, it was Ivan who had asked her to “trust him and wait a little.”

‘If only the commotion at the café hadn’t happened…’

After seeing Farell’s enraged demeanor, the two decided to adjust their plans and solidify their relationship. They no longer wanted to be entangled in Farell’s selfishness.

Vivian’s eyes darkened with displeasure as she recalled that day.

‘Pouring water on someone? That’s insane.’

Though it was just water at that time, who knew what it could become later? She clenched her fist alone and calmly swallowed her anger.

“Ivan Ernest of the Ernest family…”

Kalia Bright, Vivian Bright’s grandmother and the one who revitalized the family, spoke while wiping her mouth with a cloth.

“How humble. If my old ears recognize your name, it must mean you possess exceptional abilities.”

“Grandmother.”

“Though it has been quite some time since I retired, I do understand the flow of the times. Welcoming a journalist as a member of the Bright family would be a wise choice.”

After starting with positive words, she clasped her hands and gazed intently at the two. Her eyes’ brilliance was so intense that it seemed to erase the years etched into her wrinkles.

“But Vivian, isn’t there something we need to address first?”

“If it’s something we need to address…”

“Farell Underwood. That child.”

Farell?

Vivian’s expression hardened at her grandmother’s words.

Why is her grandmother bringing up Farell now? Unable to understand her grandmother’s intentions, Vivian asked urgently.

“Is it because of the old covenant between the Bright and Underwood families?”

“I wouldn’t bring up such an outdated promise at this point.”

“If not that…”

Raising her hand lightly to stop Vivian’s words, Kalia leaned forward with a serious expression.

“Is it true that Farell is pregnant?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking if it’s true that there is a child between you and Farell.”

Kalia’s words brought a silent shock to the dining room.

Vivian, momentarily frozen in a space where not a single fork clinked, abruptly stood up.

“What nonsense is that? A child between Farell and me?!”

“Then it’s not true?”

“Yes! It absolutely isn’t true. If you need confirmation, you may call a doctor to examine me.”

Kalia’s eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Vivian’s confident demeanor. It seemed her granddaughter was also unaware of the situation.

“That’s not it, Vivian. What I’m saying is…”

Just as Kalia felt the need to explain a bit more, there was a brief commotion outside the dining room, followed by a strong voice echoing in.

“No, if anyone needs to be examined, it should be me, not you, Vivian!”

“Farell? What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Nonsense? Of course not, because it’s me who is pregnant, not you! Don’t you remember?”

“Nonsense! Are you joking with me?”

There was no way she would remember. In fact, the entire situation was absurd from the start.

Seeing her shocked family again, Kalia sighed deeply and raised her voice.

“Enough! Stop making such a fuss.”

With that brief command drawing everyone’s attention, she continued.

“If it were truly nonsense, I would have ended it on my end. But the reason I brought it up is that Farell said he became pregnant using ‘black magic.’”

“But, Grandmother, black magic isn’t omnipotent. It’s still more likely that Farell is lying…”

Kalia lightly shook her head.

“Though it was kept confidential, there was a secret experiment led by the imperial family while I was still active. The core of that experiment was male pregnancy.”

“What…?”

“The first childbirth of the previous empress was a difficult one, so it was an important matter. The research made significant progress, thanks to the emperor’s personal involvement.”

“Are you saying that results have been obtained?”

“Right. However, it was too dangerous and had terrible side effects, so it was discontinued. Some who opposed the discontinuation were eventually exiled from the empire.”

“…….”

“I thought all those years had buried the matter, but that child brought it up again.”

Kalia’s gaze fell on Farell.

“It was too detailed to dismiss as mere nonsense.”

Receiving the focus of their attention, Farell raised an eyebrow and sharply retorted.

“What can a desperate person not do? I’ve considered the seat next to Vivian’s mine since childhood. And now I’m supposed to give it up to some lowly person? Ha!”

He laughed mockingly, his face twisting in anger, and glared at Ivan with gritted teeth.

“That’s not possible.”

As Ivan faced Farell with a serious expression, Vivian, looking angry, ordered the servants.

“Go and fetch a doctor immediately. I won’t believe it until I see it with my own eyes.”

“Understood.”

“Don’t be mistaken, Farell. Even if it is true, nothing will change. This is something you did all on your own.”

“Is that so?”

Looking at Vivian with raised eyebrows, he smirked, pulling one corner of his mouth up.

“You’ll be in trouble if you don’t choose me, you know?”

“What?”

He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out several photos, placing them on the table. Vivian’s complexion turned pale as she lowered her gaze to the photos, wary of Farell.

The photos showed Vivian herself in compromising positions. One showed her lying on a bed, disheveled, and another displayed her entering a shop in the Raven’s Den district.

“Was it on the day of your inauguration? You probably don’t remember, but I played the role of your fiancé that day. The reporters were quite attentive.”

As she gripped the photos tightly, she shook her head while looking at Ivan.

“Ivan, this isn’t what Farell was talking about. This is….”

“Vivian. Calm down.”

“I can explain everything. I’ve never slept with Farell, and I went to that shop in the Raven’s Den for a different reason. How could I leave you…?”

“Hmph, it’s almost touching. But what now? It seems you don’t have any ‘evidence’ to prove your innocence.”

Farell, mocking the couple, gritted his teeth, eyes burning brightly.

“You’re mistaken if you think this is all I have, Vivian. I’ve been preparing for this moment for a very long time, ever since you showed interest in that lowly person. The Count’s family will never escape from this.”

“Farell, you……”

“Then why did you make me make this choice?”

“Why are you acting so boldly after using forbidden magic? The rumors of your obsession with me are widespread. Isn’t it disadvantageous for you to reveal it?”

“Ha! I’m your fiancé, as decided by our families. If I were to say that I got pregnant using forbidden magic hidden away in the empire just to become the ‘master of the Count family,’ would you believe that? No, rather….” 

He paused for a moment, scanning the family members before slowly continuing.

“Rather, it makes more sense that your fiancé got pregnant under the guidance of the Count family, who participated in the royal experiment and knew the method. Especially now that you’ve just established yourself as a knight.”

“Such flimsy words.”

“Flimsy or not, you know it’s true, right? What matters isn’t the truth. At least, it doesn’t to other families targeting the Count of Bright’s family. This will hurt me too, but, well, if I’m with you, I’d welcome hell.”

Ivan clenched his fists lightly as he listened to Farell’s claims.

As a journalist, he knew better than anyone that Farell’s words were not wrong. Erasing facts and making rumors into truth was not a difficult task.

‘No matter how things unfold, when Farell exposes the truth, the Count family will take a hit.’

Seeing Ivan’s expression, Farell smirked cunningly and casually patted his waist.

“It seems the doctor is waiting, so I’ll be off for the examination now. I hope you all have a pleasant time.”

Unlike when he left Florent Café before, Farell seemed confident. Kalia sighed heavily while watching his back, and then spoke.

“Let’s wrap things up here today. Vivian and Derek, stay behind.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“……Yes.”

A catastrophe.

It was truly a catastrophe.