We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 131

“I don’t want anything else, just let me stay by your side. I’ll wear chains if I must. If food is too costly, I’ll eat less or cheaper meals. I won’t leave my room, just let me see the Duke and Dia.”

I pleaded with him, practically begging as he remained silent.

“So, please… don’t move away from me.”

I gradually realized that he was distancing himself, but I denied the reality.

Maybe it’s just what Alphas do, or perhaps the obsession period after giving birth has simply faded. It must be that.

It might have been inevitable. I shouldn’t overthink it.

Today, I painfully acknowledged a reality I had long denied. And I understood that I couldn’t live without Ian and Diers.

“Ian, please…”

“…This is for you, Mel.”

It was hard to accept his response after keeping silent the whole time.

“Why…”

He began, his gaze intense and persistent.

“You know how my mother died.”

His voice was gravely raw and rough. The unrefined voice pierced deeply.

“I don’t want you to end up tragically like her. That’s why we need to keep our distance. It’s not too late, Mel.”

No, it was already too late. I had already imprinted with you. But these thoughts, I couldn’t voice them. He gripped my hand tightly with shimmering eyes.

“No imprinting, Mel.”

“…”

“Don’t do that, at least.”

So, is loving you okay? Does it mean I can pine unrequitedly for a love that will never return?

Ian’s eyes slightly squinted, and his lips tightened as if he was restraining himself. So I couldn’t be stubborn or plead anymore.

Even if it meant my heart might twist from the side effects of the imprint, I couldn’t bear to see my Alpha suffer.

“…I want to go back.”

Back to when I only watched you from afar, before I knew your sweetness.

“Alright, let’s go inside and rest.”

He firmly grasped my shoulder to support me. His hand felt hot, and his gaze held a strange warmth, but that was it.

He did not answer my confession. Or did he?

My mind was too dizzy to think further. I simply leaned my head against his strong chest and walked in step with him.

With differing thoughts, we walked together in the same direction. Exiting the dark space, the artificially bright lights were almost blinding.

Like forcing a deep-sea fish to the surface, my heart felt like it was about to burst.

It felt I should let go of his hand and hide back in the darkness, but I didn’t want to let go of his warm touch, so I entered the splendid pain.

Perhaps being by his side was the ideal place for me. Where there is bright light, deep shadows must follow.

That had to be my place.

* * *

After calming the commotion, Ian emerged from a wash, dressed in light clothes. His familiar steps led him to Melissa’s annex.

She might not know, but Ian often secretly visited Melissa in the early mornings. Watching her sleep peacefully, breathing evenly, he would feel his tense body relax.

Despite knowing it was pointless, Ian looked up while walking through the rose garden. Just a year ago, Melissa was vividly smiling on the balcony.

‘You worked hard today.’

With a gentle and tender voice.

“…I’m back.”

He spoke to no one, greeting the silence, then caressed a green rose nearby. The petals were incredibly soft. A similar voice echoed again in his ears.

‘I love you, Ian.’

Her voice, drenched with emotion during her confession, was something he had never wished to hear. Yet, he was not indifferent.

Chewing over her lovely confession, Ian’s lips curled up in satisfaction without him realizing it. He tightened and then relaxed his grip on a rose, repeating the gesture as if trying to hold onto something fleeting.

If he were to tightly clutch the rose, the delicate petals would surely crush under the force of his grip, leaving behind only a faint fragrance.

“Mel, I too wonder if this is what love is…”

Was it love? That makes him secretly visit the annex when he should stay away? Or the satisfaction he feels from her pitiful confessions that he has to stifle his laughter?

The love he knew wasn’t supposed to be this selfish.

Perhaps due to the distorted affection he saw in his parents, he was never able to fully understand his own feelings.

One thing he was certain of—he did not want to hurt Melissa. So then…

“I will neither love you nor despise you.”

Just existing. Yes, that should be enough.

Instead of crushing the rose, he plucked its stem. It pricked him, stinging slightly, but for her sake, he carefully removed the thorns and entered the cottage.

Silently he moved into her bedroom, erasing the subtle scent of the green rose with his own pheromones.

Everything that approached her should be scentless, except for his pheromones.

Sitting by her side, Ian deliberately placed a green rose on the bedside table, making sure it exuded his scent strongly.

He gently stroked her hair that was similar in color to the rose. Every time he touched her, she twitched as if disturbed by a bad dream, but he loved her reactions.

Ian wanted Melissa’s love to endure, even if it was unrequited. He wished for her to remain as she was now, desiring him with those desperate violet eyes, even if they were to turn bleak.

No, this couldn’t be love.

Wanting to let Messa slowly ruin could not possibly be love.

Thus, distancing himself was the right choice. For her, for Diers.

Without fully understanding whose promise it was for, Ian continuously toyed with her hair. As dawn broke, his face became clearer.

Clearly etched on his face was a smile.