24

Ray's suspicions were confirmed later when he noticed after two months that his belly had become slightly rounder. Taylor noticed his dejected mood and inquired about the Duke's well-being.

"I think I'm... pregnant."

"What!?" Taylor was dumbfounded. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"I'm not joking at all..."

"But you're not a woman!"

"No! I do not have an internal vessel for bearing children."

"Whereas?" Taylor shrugged.

"I guess I'm... a bird in which an egg is ripening."

"And it will come out through the butt?"

"Yeah! But I don't know exactly when."

"Is that why you're so anxious? Who is the father of this chick?"

"No idea! One of you three!"

"Ow! I've only been this close to you a couple of times," Taylor became worried.

"Once is enough!" Ray muttered. "I'm afraid of Arlow's reaction. He has the greatest right to paternity and your and Eriolan's claims will be inappropriate. Besides, I didn't inform him that you and me had already an affair..."

"You don't need to tell him, otherwise he'll kick me out, and I don't want to lose you. Make your spouse happy about the new life and he will believe that the chick is his. I will not claim paternity for your sake."

Taylor was greatly shocked by the news of pregnancy. He had never heard of anything like this, that a young man could carry an egg. But given that Ray is kind of androgyne who charmed and seduced him, this is quite possible.

Their intimacy was spontaneous: Taylor, in the absence of Arlow, one evening began to caress Ray, who was relaxed in a chair, and became very carried away, but duke did not resist. It would never have occurred to him that there could be consequences after same-sex merger. And now the certainty that the pregnancy had occurred because of him constantly tormented. If the child does not look like the royal golden-haired breed, then it will not be easy. The Crown Prince will not forgive him for this act and will become an enemy.

The prince noticed his husband's rounded belly after returning from a business trip.

"What's wrong with your waist? Have you eaten too many cakes in my absence?"

"M-mm… We will have a chick!" Ray stated with a forced smile, hugging his protruding belly.

"Are you a bird?" Arlow said in confusion, glaring at him.

"Angels are partly birds, aren't they!?" The Duke chuckled at his joke. "Aren't you happy?"

"I'm glad, but this is so unexpected! Will you lay an egg? I had no idea that we could have offspring! And in this way!"

He enthusiastically pressed his ear to his stomach, smoothing it with his palms.

"I can only hear the rumbling. How many days does all this last? Why didn't you tell me earlier?

"I don't know when the egg was conceived..."

"So Eriolan can also be a father?" Arlow became saddened. "He won't get my child. Did you tell him?"

"No! I wore a gown all the time and he didn't notice my belly," Ray lied.

In fact, the King noticed everything and, at a recent meeting, lifted his lover into his arms with a solemn smile.

"This is truly a miracle! Is this our child?" Eriolan wondered.

"How do I know who conceived? Both of you haven't left me!"

"A-ah! Well, who would have known that this was possible. And if you ask Rohen, whose baby is it? It's going to be a boy, right?"

"For sure. The Lord believes that paternity should remain a secret so that you do not argue among yourself. I am his only parent and no one else."

"Ha, that's not fair! If I made love to you, then there is a piece of me in this baby."

"If he doesn't look like you, what will you say then?"

"In any case, it's similar, no matter which of us two is the father."

The adoration of the handsome King plunged Ray into sweet ecstasy. He realized that he loved Eriolan no less than Arlow and responded with passion in return. The Lord chose this Essence for him for a reason. Another delightful connection... Moreover, his heart turned out to be capable of shifting feelings towards Taylor. Three men and one fruit of love! None of the partners is going to give in or give up. Everyone suffers that they cannot be the only one. How to live with all this?

"I met you earlier and got engaged to you, Ray, so I have more rights to the child!" Arlow insisted, deciding not to go anywhere until the egg appeared. "I believe that Eriolan has become significant to you... You reciprocated his feelings. He knows how to look after and win over. My jealousy was justified and continues to torment my soul."

"Don't be jealous, please. I would never hurt you. I have no need to seek love because of my androgyny, but I cannot reject sincerity. Eriolan is in love with me, just like you. He struggled with feelings, but could not tear them out of his heart. My fate in the mortal world as Lamori always attracts mature Essences. Everything would have been different if I had stayed with you on Kraos, but you yourself know that this turned out to be impossible."

"Don't give him hope that he is a possible father. He already has a ton of children from different women."