We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 118

[“To my dear Alpha,

I’ve decided to break the imprint, as you wished.

I need a bit of courage to do so, and that’s why I’m going to visit my daughter-in-law.

You’ve probably found this letter after the imprint is broken.

But I won’t follow you anymore, I’m sorry for not keeping my promise.

As much as I love you, I also resent you, so now I want to think about myself. I couldn’t keep the promise with you.

But I hope you will fulfill my last wish. Please don’t let that child, who saw me for who I am for the first time, end up like me.

Do not leave her to her own devices; give her a chance to find her own life. I’m asking you this.

Looking back, I never once lived for myself.

So in my next life, I want to live freely like a Beta, or even as a wild creature, following my own desires.

Let’s end our ties in this life.

Goodbye,

Nicola, who dearly loved and hated you.”]

# 13_ It’s time to wake up from the dream.

Bright atmospheres were shading into somberness across Duchy Bryant estate as they prepared for the Duke’s succession ceremony amidst the heavy grief of Nicola’s death. Few truly mourned her, yet the atmosphere could not help but turn chaotic.

Although Nicola had lived in the Duchy since giving birth to Ian and never took the Bryant name, her funeral was surprisingly grand. Because it was orchestrated as such by Ian’s father.

Yet, no visitors came. In the vast hall, only her Alpha remained in vigil.

Unable to leave Melissa who still hadn’t woken up, Ian finally, though reluctantly, made his way to the funeral. He couldn’t forgive his mother, who had been selfish until the end.

Entering the hall with a hardened expression, he saw his father sitting despondently in front of the ornately adorned coffin.

The sight of his father, head bowed in seeming defeat, did not stir sympathy but rather ignited his frustration. He blamed his father for the circumstances but couldn’t openly confront him.

Ian himself was similarly trapped.

“Father.”

“…You’ve come.”

His father was not his usual figure of authority. He looked utterly defeated and frail as he spoke dryly.

“You might have had a harsh mother, but you should at least say your final farewell.”

“…….”

As his father said, his mother had been selfish and cruel, indiscriminately manipulative in her efforts to be with his father. She had abused and used Ian, seemingly indifferent to his upbringing or well-being, and had lived a life of extreme luxury just because she was his mother.

He kept such a woman in the Duchy just because she was his mother. Even if he wanted to ignore her, she would often come and bother him.

Could he forgive her simply because she had given birth to him? Could he embrace everything just because she had imprinted with his father? Deep doubts plagued him, but what good would it do now?

His father, who heard no reply, gazed at the coffin and began to speak slowly.

“Do you know what hatred and love have in common?”

“……I don’t know.”

“They make you think of the person every single day.”

Ian had read his mother’s suicide note. He was not eager to delve into why she had shown such affection towards Melissa or to unearth more about his parents’ relationship.

He didn’t want to know, didn’t want to think deeply about it, but he didn’t stop his father from speaking. He couldn’t block his father’s grief.

“I hated your mother. Because I couldn’t give her love.”

“…….”

“There’s no alpha who can completely ignore an omega that has imprinted with them. No, in fact, it’s quite the opposite, they become dear to you.”

“……Then why didn’t you accept her?”

It was too late for regrets; the person in question was no longer there. Ian’s comment was more a reflection of what could have been rather than a possibility.

“Haha…”

His father let out a feeble laugh at Ian’s words, a self-mocking laugh that echoed in the empty space.

“I could never forgive Nicola for almost killing you. She dared to harm the heir of Duchy Bryant. By not taking her life, I believed I was being merciful.”

“…….”

Ian recalled the times in his youth when his mother had choked him. Back then, it had been terrifying, but now…

“Ian, do you remember what I said?”

“What are you referring to?”

“That an alpha doesn’t die alone once they imprint.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“An alpha has many responsibilities. As a head of the house who leads numerous vassals, you cannot choose love. Even if the imprinted omega is dear, you cannot cover up her sins. Yet, it’s hard to control a heart that’s carried away.”

“……”

For the first time, Ian could see his father’s true feelings. He realized that his father, who had distanced himself from his mother, had actually wanted to be closer to her.

“So, that’s why my feelings are complicated now, Ian.”

His father’s voice trembled slightly. Standing behind him, Ian moved to stand in front of his father.

“Father……”

His father was crying. It was awkward to see his face contorted with emotion and openly displaying his feelings.

“I thought it was a relief that I resisted and didn’t reciprocate the imprint, but still, I feel empty. I wonder if dedicating myself to the family instead of following my heart was the right thing to do. I regret that it affected you, but sometimes, I didn’t want to think about you.”

“……”

“I wanted to be with Nicola, as if we were the only two people left in the world. But now, it’s too late.”

Instead of responding, Ian just stood silently in front of him. He neither offered consolation nor agreement. He couldn’t fully understand his father’s words.

He firmly believed that his and Melissa’s story would be different from that of his parents.