We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 139

“This is your place.”

“Haha.”

“Laughing?”

I didn’t really want to engage with such petty and low-level behavior, but felt compelled to speak up.

“Do you consider your position quite high? Always disobeying your master’s orders, it seems.”

“….Do you even know how long I’ve dedicated myself to the Duchy? If it weren’t for the lowly omegas like you, I would never have suffered such insults.”

“Talking about dedication when you’ve been well paid?”

I retorted, causing the head maid to flush with anger and jump up.

“What would you know, speaking out of turn!”

“You’re not even worth my time. Henry, could you close the door, please?”

“Certainly.”

“You! Heaven will take its revenge! How dare you insult and humiliate me! You will pay for this!”

The head maid’s rant was nothing but a series of nonsensical bluffs.

Who was really being insulted and humiliated here? Was standing up to their unjust actions now a crime?

I seethed with anger. I hated this world, this empire. The disdain for omegas and the baseless insults they hurled at me, and those by Ian.

Unable to hold back any longer, I stepped out of the carriage and slapped the head maid hard across the face.

Slap-

The sound echoed, drawing the attention of nearby servants. The head maid raised her cheek again in pride. I slapped her again, this time with enough force to possibly burst a cheek.

I felt a surge of rage against their hypocritical and two-faced actions. I was done tolerating them. I gritted my teeth.

Just as I was about to raise my hand again, Henry intervened.

“Please stop. Everything you do is heard by the Master.”

“Really? I thought your specialty was keeping things from the master’s ears.”

“What are you saying…”

“Let go!”

“I apologize.”

I forcefully withdrew my hand that Henry had grabbed.

“If you don’t remove this head maid from my sight immediately, I’ll go directly to Ian and create a scene.”

“Please calm down. You should leave now.”

Henry dismissed the head maid with a gesture and then hastily presented something.

“Here are the bank documents and the seal proving your identity, prepared by the Master. Make sure to keep them safe. The coachman will take care of your accommodations for the journey. It will take roughly a day, and you’ll spend the night in a major town along the way.”

“I can handle it myself, so just leave. Please, just let me go.”

“….Understood. I wish you health and happiness on your journey.”

Henry’s words made my stomach turn. He’d severed ties so coldly, yet he’d arranged my departure with such care. That irony was maddening.

As the carriage started, I looked through the window at the head maid I had just confronted. Her cheeks were still blotchy from the slaps, which was quite a sight.

I smirked at her, which only made her tremble and rage. A perfect depiction of the vulgarity they often accused others of.

I felt a mess inside. I was sick of everything. Yet, I couldn’t take my eyes off the Duchy as it faded into the distance.

Was this truly the end? Was I really never going to see Ian and Díers again?

Caught in this detached reality, I was only moving my eyelids slowly when suddenly the carriage stopped.

When I turned to the window, I saw a carriage with a familiar crest blocking the way.

Someone hurriedly got off from the opposing carriage and came around.

The person was none other than Monica. My face twisted involuntarily.

Monica, unable to hide her amusement, opened the door of my carriage without permission.

“Ahaha!”

Her suddenly exploding laughter pierced my eardrums. She looked at me as if she’d seen something incredibly amusing.

“Why did they even bother with someone who would end up being chased away like this?”

“….”

I felt a deep humiliation but had something more urgent to say. I grabbed the front of Monica’s dress, pulling her close, and whispered with genuine, venomous intent.

“If you dare misuse your filthy hands on Día, I’ll make sure you pay a matching price, no matter what it takes.”

“Ahaha! And how will you hear of it? What if I keep it from Ian too?”

Her mention of touching my child twisted my guts.

“….I’ve always thought that, of everyone, you underestimate Ian the most, Monica.”

“Me? No way. Don’t you know how much I love Ian?”

“So, you love him because you think you can manipulate him as you please?”

“….What did you say?”

“You know, there are those people who are desperate to possess rare gems, but once they have them, they lose interest and neglect them.”

“…Are you done talking?”

“No? If I were to say everything, a day wouldn’t be enough.”

“Ha, you’re totally insane.”

I deeply agreed with Monica’s comment. I was well aware that I was not in my right mind.

“If it were you, could you remain sane? Remember how you lost your mind when you thought Ian was taken from you? Am I wrong?”

“I never lost him!”

Monica screamed hysterically at my words. Who said that a soft feather feels painful only when it hits the right spot? Her overreaction to my slight provocation confirmed I had struck a nerve.

I couldn’t help but laugh. It was ridiculous how much I had feared this person, who was only a mere child in temperament.

As I laughed silently, Monica glared at me as if she wanted to kill me, then suddenly her lips curled into a thick smile.

“Right, since we won’t see each other again, I suppose I should let you go because I have a big heart.”

Her words weren’t wrong, but they sounded oddly off to me. Monica shook off my hand and stepped back. With a graceful gesture, she said,

“Farewell, go back to where you came from, Aunt.”

It was a trivial remark, yet it sent a chill down my spine.