We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 102

To her question, Ian unexpectedly showed a soft smile and replied.

“Mel, it’s your shackle.”

“…Why, all of a sudden?”

Gently caressing the shackle around her ankle and calf, he explained.

“What if you leave again without permission?”

“…”

“And if you come back hurt again, I don’t know what I’d do.”

This moment made Ian fully realize.

There was a vulnerability he hadn’t acknowledged before. When he suffered quite a blow, he understood the impact it had on him. It led him to the decision that he needed to protect his omega more rigorously. Ensuring she couldn’t even take a step out of the room without his permission.

Ian kissed the shackle-adorned calf that suited very well. It made Melissa feel as though a mark had been set on her, yet her imprinted body blissfully accepted it.

“Mel.”

“Yes…”

“From now on, you’ll need my permission for everything.”

After locking the shackle, he gave her calf a gentle bite before placing it back under the blanket with regret. Melissa obeyed as she touched her swollen belly.

“I will, Young Lord.”

Having moved to her bedside, Ian stroked her soft green hair and smiled brightly.

“That’s good.”

The praise from her alpha was incomparable to anything else in the world. She dared to think it even surpassed the most precious elixir. Instead of pondering further, she gently pressed her cheek against his sturdy palm. She wanted to be closer to her alpha.

Seeing her, Ian’s eyes sparkled, and his lips curled up in satisfaction. The mole she liked around his mouth stood out. Though this time, his smile didn’t radiate warmth as before.

“You should rest a bit more, you must be tired. I’ll take care of some work.”

“Yes…..”

Ian returned to his desk and reviewed the documents. He occasionally glanced at his omega lying quietly on the bed. The jingling sound of the shackle with each movement of Melissa’s foot brought him a sense of satisfaction.

Only then did the anxiety that had troubled him for days eased.

* * *

Liliana headed to the study at her husband’s call. He seldom summoned her to his office, which made her nervous. Especially since Melissa had left in anger recently.

“To be foolishly mistaken…”

Mistaking Melissa as just an illegitimate child from County Rosewood was a mistake. Having seen her for so long, she remembered her marriage to the heir of the Duchy but still mistakenly thought of her as belonging to the County.

Her second mistake was ignoring and mocking Melissa just like before, even after she had become part of the Duchy.

She could think of no other reason for her husband to call her than that. Standing in front of the office, she thought of excuses before knocking.

“Come in.”

Liliana appreciated that he still used polite language with her. He was more humble and kind than other alphas, which was her pride. He was a perfect husband, except for needing an Omega to bear an heir.

“Dear, what did you call me here today?”

She approached her husband with an exaggerated smile. Her smile quickly faded as she met her husband’s icy face.

“I have something to ask you as the head of this house.”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

She cautiously sat on the sofa opposite her husband.

“Please be honest with me.”

“Yes.”

“Did you, by any chance, gift Lord Bryant’s omega a bouquet of roses?”

Caught off-guard by the unexpected question, Liliana’s expression briefly faltered before she composed herself and replied.

“No, she left before I could give her any visiting gift.”

“Hmm, are you certain what you’re saying is true?”

“Of course. Why would I lie to you?”

“So, who could it be…”

Intrigued by her husband’s muttering, she couldn’t help but ask,

“What’s going on?”

Instead of answering her, the Marquis just stared at her intently. Feeling increasingly uneasy under his scrutinizing gaze, Liliana tried to maintain her composure.

“Do we have any servants or attendants with dim expressions, brown hair, and brown eyes?”

“…. we have several with brown hair, but none with both that and brown eyes.”

“Then, who is this mysterious person?”

“You need to give me more details for me to help.”

“I cannot tell you.”

The Marquis recalled Ian’s stern warning to keep the matter confidential. It was a natural request especially since it involved the heir’s safety being threatened.

Such acts could only be attributed to betas, who were unaware of the significance of an heir to an Alpha.

He looked deeply at his wife. Liliana was a smart woman, clever at hiding her tricks without getting caught.

Her worry for her husband, who spoke in riddles, turned into concern. Was it possible that something had happened to Melissa? If so, the culprit was almost certainly determined. However, the complication was that Melissa had been at Marquisate Ovando.

As she pieced her thoughts together, her complexion grew increasingly pale. The Marquis noticed it and softly called out to her.

“Liliana.”

“…..Yes, dear?”

“It’s alright to torment Lorena.”

“…”

“I’m not unaware of your position.”

“Dear, I…”

The Marquis intended to warn her in an uncharacteristically firm way. There was no guarantee that what happened in the Duchy wouldn’t happen to them.

Although his obsession had lessened, he had gradually increased distance between him and his omega. But he couldn’t easily imagine the impact of Lorena suddenly disappearing.