The Crown Prince’s Courtesan - Chapter 68

Ryan von Alice was the gentle breeze of the Alice duchy.

All the expectations had fallen on his outstanding and remarkable older brothers, so he lived a free and carefree life. He disliked complications and was content to discard anything easily.

But from the moment he found Marie Alphrose crying in the palace, his life began to be swept in a direction unlike before.

Even though he never considered himself anything close to altruistic, Ryan found himself quietly asking her without realizing it:

‘Will you let me help you?’

He was weak to this Omega’s tears.

When he heard the rumors that Marie was carrying the Crown Prince’s child, that they needed to escape the palace for both their sakes…

‘Did you tell His Highness?’

Seeing Marie break down in tears once again, he wanted to help.

He even felt petty jealousy. He realized that the jokes he had made so often were, in fact, somewhat sincere.

This woman was his first love, his innocent affection. Maybe, he even thought, what if he ran away with her and became the father of her child?

“Are you sure you’re headed in the right direction to Solette, Marie?”

“Yes, that’s what the letter said.”

Marie wore a rather composed expression. She steeled herself, saying she needed to find her younger sibling and aunt. The problem was, she also said the Crown Prince might know and might chase after her.

Of course, that was very likely.

‘Marie said no, but I don’t think he’ll give up so easily.’

From what he could sense, the Alpha pheromones clinging persistently to Marie from head to toe were saturated with possessiveness.

Contrary to Marie’s resignation, the Crown Prince was unlikely to give up easily. It was nearly on the level of a marking.

Still, Ryan didn’t voice any of his reservations to Marie. If she was this desperate to flee, she must have her reasons.

Fortunately, they had the advantage of a day’s time while the ultra-dominant Alpha lay unconscious, and Solette was relatively close.

Ryan had no shortage of funds, so the smart thing was to hire people with money to safely relocate Marie’s family and then escape in separate directions.

‘If my older brother finds out, he’ll say I’ve lost my mind.’

They had briefly crossed paths with some merchants, who said chaos had erupted in the capital. The nobles were in uproar over the Dietrich family.

‘She was mentioned as a possible Crown Princess, but surely they didn’t go so far as to announce an engagement in the middle of this mess…’

While the details piqued his curiosity, the two took it as a good opportunity and hurried on.

“I-I’m sorry, Ryan.”

But he hadn’t expected this problem.

Scratching his cheek, Ryan quickly brought the doctor he had summoned and seated him in front of Marie.

In the deep hours of the night, the elderly physician, grumbling from being called at such an hour, began his examination once he saw Marie’s labored breathing. His tone changed instantly, replaced by urgency.

“My word… She’s clearly in early pregnancy, but her condition is already this bad? Miss, just how powerful of an Alpha is your child’s father?”

“W-what do you mean…?”

“You’re suffering from a lack of your alpha’s pheromones. It’ll get worse and more painful over time. From the looks of it, this fine young Alpha here isn’t the father, is he?”

“Then what should I…”

“Exposure to the father’s pheromones will improve your condition, miss. In early pregnancy, things usually don’t get this bad. He must be… quite the exceptional Alpha.”

“I see…”

Marie and Ryan’s faces simultaneously clouded. They’ve finally escaped, and now they might have to go back? But if they keep running like this, they’ll be in danger from something else entirely.

“…No. I can’t go back, doctor. Please give me something, anything, to help me endure.”

“You can’t treat this with medicine, I’m afraid. There’s virtually nothing I can give you.”

“Then… if this continues… what happens? Will it harm me or the child?”

“Why, young lady…are you planning to just endure it?”

“I can’t take anything, and I can’t go back.”

Marie’s expression twisted with raw desperation. Perhaps moved by the sight, the old physician stroked his beard and added with a sigh:

“…Well, it’ll be extremely painful if you stay like this, but nothing will happen immediately. You could endure. However, the baby’s growth might be stunted, and delivery could be agonizing — maybe even dangerous.”

Ryan abruptly interjected.

“Would another Alpha’s pheromones help?”