Became Pregnant With the Demon King’s Child

"How did you know?"

"I simply remembered that there’s always a reason behind sudden changes."
Hamilton responded as if it were nothing, folding his hands politely and bowing his head.
He’s definitely become more courteous.

It wasn’t just because Felix had given an order. It was a change born from a shift in perception of Lowell himself. A transformation that came not from Lowell’s abilities, but from recognizing his resolve.
I don’t know about the other staff, but Hamilton is definitely more loyal than most. Whether that loyalty is to the Grand Duke’s household or to Felix himself, I’m not sure.
Whatever the case, it was good news for Lowell. He decided to treat Hamilton not as a temporary ally for dealing with a common enemy, but as someone trustworthy. He would approach him more boldly.

"You’re right. You probably already know, Hamilton, but I want to change the Grand Duke’s estate for the better. Do you think I’m overstepping as just a guest?"
"Forgive me for speaking freely, but I do not see you as a guest, Young Master—I regard you ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) as the Grand Duchess. I am prepared to follow any order you give."
It wasn’t hard for Lowell to see that Hamilton spoke with complete sincerity. He had watched Felix and Lowell’s relationship up close, and was thus the first to draw the most accurate conclusion.

So to others, we really do look like a married couple.
Even in the middle of this serious conversation, that tiny realization made Lowell’s palms tingle. The affection he held for Felix had taught him how to find joy in the smallest things. He briefly wished that Felix, too, might come to discover such small happiness through him.
"Young Master?"

Hamilton called out gently when Lowell fell silent for a moment too long. Realizing he’d been thinking only of Felix with someone right in front of him, Lowell flushed red around the neck.
"Ah, yes. Thank you. That means a lot to me. I heard you spoke with Henry today."
"Yes. I summoned him after hearing he’s been colluding with the dismissed servants and spreading unpleasant rumors about Your Grace."

"What did he say?"
"Before I could even ask, he immediately denied everything."
"Any idea who might have tipped him off about the rumors?"

The rumors had only just started to spread. For Henry to have heard so quickly, it meant someone who trusted him—if not out of loyalty, then at least out of alliance—had warned him.
"I’ve narrowed it down to five possible people, but I can’t say for sure."
"As expected, we’ll need to break up his faction."
Lowell picked out a useful piece of information from what Xenia had told him.

"I heard Henry was rather inappropriate toward the maids. Have you heard anything yourself?"
"I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I don’t have the best relationship with some of the staff, so not much reaches my ears directly. Still, I have heard similar rumors, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was overly familiar with the maids."
"Why hasn’t anything been done about it so far?"

"Because he has his own following. Stirring things up needlessly would’ve backfired. And the maids aren’t quick to speak up, so it’s been difficult to gather proof."
The Grand Duke’s estate had been left in disarray for so long under Felix’s neglect. There were things Hamilton simply hadn’t been able to control. As Lowell tapped his fingers against the armrest, he quickly reached a conclusion.
"Let’s bring in Xenia."

Summoned late into the night, Xenia hesitated as she stepped into the room and saw both Lowell and Hamilton. Her head was full of worry: So he was lying when he said he’d let it go…?
"Sorry for calling you at this hour, Xenia. I just had something to ask—don’t be too nervous."
"Yes!"

Once she heard the comforting tone, Xenia quickly stepped forward and stood in front of Lowell. Her flustered movements made Hamilton frown slightly, but he didn’t scold her.
"It’s something from our previous conversation that stuck in my mind."
"Uh, which part?"

She’d tried to speak in a loud, clear voice—but ended up croaking instead. Lowell, wanting to ease her nerves, poured a warm cup of tea and offered it to her. Xenia glanced at him, unsure if she could drink in front of someone of his rank, but when Lowell gestured, she obeyed and brought the cup to her lips. The warm liquid eased some of the tension in her stiffened body.
"I heard the steward has behaved inappropriately with the maids. Would you say there’s been anything like harassment?"
Unlike when it was just the two of them, Xenia didn’t answer right away.

"I’ve heard Hamilton say he regrets not paying more attention to the maids. He wants to be more helpful now. And I trust you the most, Xenia."
As they’d arranged beforehand, Hamilton gave a nod to Xenia, whose eyes widened.
He must’ve felt humiliated.

Lowell admired Hamilton’s decision and continued gently coaxing Xenia with well-placed words. In the end, she gave in to Lowell’s persuasion and opened her mouth.
"I think most of the maids have experienced at least some form of light touching. Like getting their arm slapped or their back patted under the guise of encouragement. It could be brushed off as nothing, but the way he did it was unpleasant. And he never touched the ones close to the butler."
Lowell couldn’t help but scoff at how well the steward managed his filth.

Pathetic scum who can’t do anything without clinging to a shred of power.
With a faint smile masking his disgust, Lowell waited for Xenia’s next words.
"There’s a friend of mine named Jenny, she’s really shy. One time she made a mistake and got called in… he started rubbing her arm and said some inappropriate things. She came back crying her eyes out."

"That must’ve been awful for her."
"Yes. And someone who shares her room told me she went through something similar. I wanted to report it to the head maid, but… she’s always so busy…"
Though Xenia said it indirectly, what she meant was clear: the steward had more authority, so most people figured nothing would change. Lowell’s face hardened at the revolting truth.

"Thank you for telling me, Xenia. Do you happen to know if Jenny has a boyfriend? Please be honest—I’ll make sure no harm comes to her."
"Yes. I heard she’s dating one of the male servants."
"Thank you."

Lowell dismissed Xenia and turned to Hamilton, shaking his head.
"He’s been disgusting on all fronts. That makes our job easier. Hamilton, keep collecting victim testimonies—and find out if Henry’s been messing with people’s money."
"Money?"

"Someone like him probably has. Even something small would be enough—gather every scrap of evidence you can."
Lowell knew the best way to dismantle a power group: destroy trust. Make people feel betrayed—realize that the person they trusted had been secretly exploiting them. And nothing stirs betrayal more than love or money.
People are far more frightening when they turn against someone they once liked than someone they never cared for to begin with.

And whoever exposed and fixed all of this—the head butler Hamilton—would become someone they admired.
It’ll be even better if I can make it seem like Henry twisted Hamilton’s orders along the way.
That night, Lowell fell asleep satisfied.

***
"We’ve gathered all the evidence and testimony."
Two days later in the afternoon, Hamilton reported to Lowell.

"Once the maids realized their fellow workers had been harmed, they quickly rallied together. The head maid was distraught, saying she had no idea."
"Of course. The bastard’s shameless, but he’s good at sensing danger."
Some of the male servants were furious to learn their lovers had been mistreated. When the financial misconduct surfaced too, they completely turned their backs on Henry. A few still seemed to cling to faith in him—but it was only a matter of time.

"Then we’ll take care of everything the moment the Grand Duke returns."
"Finally pulling the rotten tooth."
It was the day Felix would return. Lowell suppressed the anxiety creeping in from not seeing him for just a few days.

"Yes. He should be arriving any moment now."
"All right."
Lowell tried to wait patiently—but in the end, he couldn’t keep still and made his way to the garden. He just wanted to see him that little bit sooner.

"It’s cold out."
"I’ll dress warmly."
The knights followed him with concern, but he was too giddy to hear them. Bundled tightly, he sat at the spot with the clearest view of the castle gate. About an hour passed before the grand gates opened, shoving the snow aside.

Felix rode in on a black stallion, sunlight behind him as he approached Lowell. Rising to his feet, Lowell stood frozen, staring in awe.
"Lowell!"
Felix spotted him and leapt off the horse, running over. He wanted to reach him quickly, but worried that the horse might hurt Lowell, he ran the rest of the way himself.

"Your nose is red like an apple!"
Just like before, Felix began fussing the moment he reached him. Lowell broke into a bell-like laugh. The sound rang in Felix’s ears like silver chimes, making his chest swell with joy.