We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 125

A deep sigh escaped me as I suddenly caught sight of my arm. Covered in sticky ointment, it was bruised in shades of blue, red, and yellow.

My body froze momentarily as it was full with the marks. It looked almost disease-ridden, I couldn’t take my gaze away.

“… I need to get up.”

“I’ll help you.”

After speaking with a husky voice, I managed to get up from the bed. Every step came with intense pain so it was difficult. But I didn’t want Henry’s help, feeling somewhat embarrassed as I wanted to inspect the marks he had left.

“No, I can do it, by myself.”

My voice cracked harshly, raspy from disuse. Clearing my throat didn’t help much, and I was somewhat relieved that Ian wasn’t here.

I wouldn’t want the man I love to see me like this.

With every step, my back screamed and my legs wobbled. After struggling into the bathroom, I stood in front of the mirror to look at myself.

The marks on my exposed arm were nothing compared to the traces covering everything from my neck down to my legs.

After lowering my skirt and stepping closer to the mirror, faint marks on my face from that day were also visible.

The memories came back to me.

Ian was particularly rough this heat cycle. No, it went beyond rough. He looked like he had lost his mind, or turned into a beast, and coveted me again and again.

I don’t know how many times I passed out.

Even after waking up, my body was still shaking. He’d look down at me with intense eyes and tap my cheek.

And he’d whisper in a hot voice.

‘Open your eyes, Mel.’

Just recalling it made my face feel hot. And suddenly, I missed him.

“Haha.”

A laugh came out of nowhere. I found myself utterly ridiculous.

Isn’t that right? Despite a fiercely rough heat cycle that should have seemed alarming, I instead found the marks endearing.

Now I finally seemed to grasp a bit of the power of imprinting.

Just thinking of his name made my heart pound as if it would burst through my skin.

“….I love you, Ian.”

Overwhelmed by emotions that swelled up to my throat, I couldn’t help but express them.

“I love you. I love you.”

The thick voice became increasingly agitated. I might have seemed mad, but I couldn’t contain these feelings anymore.

I wished he would crave me more, even if it hurt me…, to only see, hear, and speak of me.

Just then, a shocking thought crossed my mind—I wouldn’t mind not seeing Díers if that meant having him to myself. I was startled.

“…..”

The chill ran down my spine. What was I thinking…

My lips quivered, and a tingling sensation spread through my fingertips. I glanced around the empty bathroom, afraid someone might have heard.

Chills crawled over my skin. How could I have such a thought, even momentarily?

My own child, my precious child…

The residual warmth in my body rapidly cooled off. I forced my trembling body to move and step outside. As I opened the door and leaned on the wall for support, I felt a familiar gaze and looked up.

Before I knew it, there was Ian, watching me intently from the doorway connecting to the room. A mix of relief and discomfort washed over me.

Why hadn’t he come all the way to the bathroom?

Why… was there no shackle in sight?

My mind, still foggy from the residual fever, began to race with questions under the influence of the fever-reducer.

It was awkward that he just observed me walking difficultly. His changed attitude made my lips feel dry, but I forced a smile anyway.

“Oh, have you come?”

Yes, he had come for me.

“….Is it very hard?”

“No, it’s bearable.”

Ian, who had been crossing his arms tightly around himself, bit his lower lip and looked at me intensely. I managed to walk up to him slowly and steadily until I could look up at him while sweating profusely.

Fumbling awkwardly with my fingers, I mustered the courage to grasp his arm. I could feel his shiver through the touch, and soon he supported me as before.

Helped back to the bed by Ian, I cautiously lay down again.

“The doctor will keep preparing the right medicine for a while.”

Ian didn’t sit down, but remained standing as he spoke to me. His attitude was so different from the limited obsession during the heat, it scared me.

“Henry, did you give the medicine as soon as she woke up?”

“Yes, master.”

“And the meal?”

“The maid has gone to fetch it.”

“Hmm, ask the doctor how long she needs to keep eating patient meals, and make sure he checks not just her fever….but also her skin thoroughly.”

“Yes, I’ll take care of it.”

His instructions to the butler felt like a subtle hint that he might not visit for a while, which made me anxious. I steadied my voice and called out to him.

“Young, Young Lord.”

My voice cracked harshly. Despite the pain, I had to ask.

“Where are you, going?”

He paused at my question and looked at me silently. He answered after a beat.

“I will be busy with preparations for the succession ceremony for a while.”

“Ah… so Díers…”

I knew he had been busy with the succession preparations. It seemed they had been briefly postponed due to Nicola’s sudden funeral. That would explain his busyness.

But surely, he wasn’t just busy with the succession. Ian had always been a busy man.

“Focus on recovering for now. Díers is doing well.”

I hesitated, wanting to see my son even for a moment. Perhaps sensing my thoughts, Ian continued.

“If you want to see Díers, just tell Henry. He’ll bring him here. But for today, it would be best if you just rested.”

“…., I, will.”