We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 126

I was relieved to hear that I could see my child anytime, I might not have been able to hide my anxiety if even the connection to Díers was cut off.

“….Young, Lord.”

“Yes, speak.”

“Is the place where, Lady Nicola is buried far from here?”

“…”

His thoughts on her were not something I don’t know, but he was the only one I could ask. Since I couldn’t attend the funeral, I wanted to visit her grave separately.

After a moment of silence, he answered firmly.

“We’ll discuss that later.”

“….Yes, I understand.”

I fidgeted with my hands inside the blanket. There was something else I really wanted to ask, but I couldn’t muster the courage to voice it.

‘Why won’t you come closer?’

The sense of alienation I’d been feeling.

Except for when he supported me, he had maintained a certain distance from me ever since he entered this room.

#14 Gradually, Slowly

Though my body recovered with consistent treatment, my mind did not. Ian had stopped visiting altogether a few days ago.

Moreover, even if I could see Diers, I could only do so for about an hour at a time. Each time the new nanny brought Diers, my child had grown noticeably.

Each time was a mix of wonder and anxiety.

What if he grows up so fast that he forgets about his mother? Can an hour a day keep his memory of me alive?

I knew in my head that we had to part ways someday, but feeling it was different. Like this, gradually…

“….Can’t he stay a bit longer today?”

I asked the nanny who brought Diers. I wanted to spend more time with my son. Holding Díers, with his soft black hair like his father’s and purple eyes like mine, I looked up at the nanny.

“That’s not possible.”

Her refusal was firm, and she added with the same cold expression she had when she arrived.

“There’s a celebration banquet for the succession ceremony this evening, and the young master must attend.”

“….Tonight?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Stunned by her blunt response, I was at a loss for words. Though I wasn’t completely isolated, no one had informed me about Ian’s succession ceremony happening today.

Feeling utterly alienated, my heart ached and nausea crept up on me.

This wasn’t a new sensation. If anything, most of my life felt like a series of exclusions, that I had come to accept it.

Yet, losing a sense of happiness I had once grasped was a distinctly different feeling. Perhaps it was akin to betrayal.

“It is time. I will take the young master now.”

“Abuu!”

“….I see.”

The nanny picked up Diers. The sensation of my child slipping away from my arms was unbearably chilling, but there was nothing I could do.

“Mammmaaa! Waaah!”

Just then, Díers reached out to me with a tearful look. I hurried to soothe him, but the nanny was quicker. She skillfully handed Diers a toy and calmed him down.

“Young Master, let’s go back and have some baby food.”

It seemed he already understood what baby food meant. Díers stopped crying and giggled happily.

“You like bananas, don’t you? I’ll make you some mashed banana.”

“Abu!”

As if responding, Díers babbled happily as he was carried out of the room. All I could do was watch them leave. My child’s laughter faded quickly, and a sudden silence filled the air.

I stood there dazed for a moment before rushing to the balcony, hoping to catch a glimpse of Díers leaving.

When I came out the balcony and leaned on the railing, I watched as the nanny carried Diers through the garden away from the annex.

It was then I noticed the green roses in bloom. Last I remembered, they were just buds…

“It’s already midsummer…”

Time seemed to have flown by in just the blink of an eye, a moment of normal life passing, and seasons changing drastically.

Unlike the quiet annex, the outside was bustling. A strangely elevated mood permeated everywhere.

Confined to my room, I was oblivious to the changes.

I felt like I was losing my mind, it seemed as if everything but me was moving forward rapidly. My fingertips clinging to the railing trembled. I felt like if things continued like this, I would be left alien and erased.

From my small vantage point at the mansion, I saw Ian emerge. He took Diers from the nanny with a joyful smile. The sight of him not even glancing towards the annex where I was, hurt deeply.

My heart seemed to drop, yet paradoxically, it thudded loudly in my ears, almost deafening me with its beats. As I watched Ian and Diers, I eventually collapsed, unable to stand any longer from the weakness that overtook me.

With no strength in my body and struggling to get up, a maid who entered the room helped me back on my feet.

By the time I was upright again, Ian and Diers had disappeared.

“Madam, you really shouldn’t overexert yourself. Please, let’s go inside.”

The young maid who had been attending to me kept glancing outside nervously as she spoke.

Her behavior made it clear. Ian had no intention of discussing today’s succession ceremony with me.

“….Alright, let’s go back inside.”

It felt as though my heart was shattered into pieces. Realizing that my alpha, to whom I was imprinting, was distancing himself from me wasn’t surprising anymore.

Back in my room, I dismissed the maid and searched for the contract. I had trusted in the affection Ian had shown and never thought to check the end date of our agreement.

Finding the contract tucked away in a drawer, I confirmed there was about a year left.

My throat tightened as if being strangled. Only one year remained of this relationship.

I had rationalized his absence, thinking Ian, who had always been attentive, must be busy.

But that wasn’t it at all.