We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 143

“Someone deliberately damaged your pheromone glands a long time ago… In other words, they wanted to reduce you to a state close to a beta, or perhaps they harbored the delusion that they could make you a beta.”

Lucia’s words brought back memories I had almost forgotten. When I lived with my mother in the mountains, there were times she acted almost like a madwoman. It was so shocking that I might have erased the memory from my mind.

How should I even express this? The family I thought would love me unconditionally had actually inflicted deep wounds on me, and the ones I believed were my family abandoned me overnight.

Both in the past and present, it felt as if I had never been needed by anyone, and my eyes grew hot with unshed tears. As my expression gradually crumbled, Sarah hesitantly began to speak.

“Melissa, while I can’t claim to understand your feelings completely, there’s no one who can understand you better than us. So, here, you can spend the rest of your life comfortably.”

It was a kind sentiment, but it didn’t immediately resonate with me. The fact that I was completely alone was deeply saddening.

“And… oh, I’m not sure if it’s right to overload someone who’s just waking up with too much information.”

“But it’s important for the person involved to know.”

“Indeed, Lucia.”

Noticing Sarah’s cautious demeanor as she looked at me, I finally asked.

“I’m not sure. So get well soon and get a formal check-up.”

“….What do you mean?”

“You have a different magic.”

“What?”

“Yes, another type of magic that doesn’t belong to you. Do you understand what I’m implying?”

I was overwhelmed by the whirlwind of information. What could it mean to sense another type of magic?

My thought process came to a sudden halt. I stared at Sarah with wide eyes. She smiled at my reaction and said.

“There’s one more thing to celebrate.”

“So, stay alert and focus on recovering your strength first.”

Both Lucia and Sarah, along with everyone else around, congratulated me.

“Wow, a new life form emerging from the Magic Tower? Isn’t this a first?”

“Oh my, this will lower the average age of us older folks considerably.”

“Ah, how lovely it is.”

“Melissa, we sincerely welcome you to the Magic Tower.”

“Don’t worry about anything anymore.”

The words that warmed my heart like melting solid ice made tears flow uncontrollably. My mind was a jumble of memories and information, but the first thought that came was how relieved I was to be alive.

The reality of being awake while carrying a child made me feel even more grateful, but then a sudden question arose.

“… well, can you tell me how old the baby is?”

I managed to squeeze out the words to ask. Lucia responded,

“Well, it’s still quite new, you could say.”

“So…”

“Hmm, it seems to be less than a month old.”

How did she know that? Noticing my puzzled look, Lucia smiled and added,

“Who are we?”

“…Ah.”

“We’re the ones who sense magic the quickest. We’re people who are obsessed with magic.”

Having grown up seeing how amazing wizards could be, I nodded in understanding, though I hadn’t known the details. I gently cradled my still-flat abdomen with my hands and blinked slowly.

“Have all your questions been answered?”

I nodded.

“Good. Then we’ll be leaving now, so please rest comfortably.”

“Ah…”

“There’s no need to say goodbye. Shh, don’t speak a word.”

Nodding, nodding.

“Remember our names later! Just remembering Lucia, the Magic Tower Master, and Sarah, the Vice-Master, won’t be enough!”

Nod, nod, nod.

The lively voices of the people around me seemed to have a reassuring effect. While living in the Duchy, I had spent my days so dark and gloomy that even my memories felt blurred, but now, I don’t feel that way at all.

Even Ian didn’t come to mind.

The strange sensation that started when I woke up became even clearer once I was alone. My heart, which had always longed and suffered from my imprinted Alpha, was now calm. Even though I was so distant from Ian, my heart wasn’t racing.

Though I was in an incomprehensible situation, it wasn’t one I disliked.

The time of suffering from imprinting was incredibly difficult for me, so the sound of my heart beating comfortably once more was a welcome relief.

So, I set aside all my questions for the moment and closed my eyes. I fell into a deep, sweet sleep for the first time in a long while.

* * *

Tap, tap.

Under the pen, elegant script flowed continuously without pause. Since Ian, the master of the room, worked tirelessly, his assistant and the assistant’s aide were unable to take even a brief tea break.

In the afternoon, when everyone was slightly tired, a cheerful knock echoed through the previously silent space.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Monica, who had started coming and going as if it was her own home, entered the office with the head maid in tow. Approaching Ian, who still had his eyes glued to the documents, Monica complained in a playful tone,

“Ian, you’re working so hard that the assistants are struggling.”

“…Hmm, is that so?”

“Yes, so how about a nice cup of tea? Of course, it’s already been prepared. Hehe.”

“Sounds good.”

After lunch, Ian, who had not moved from his seat all day, willingly got up at Monica’s suggestion. The assistants cheered inside and quickly got up from their seats.

“Everyone, take a break.”

“Yes! We’ll be right back, Duke.”

With the assistants leaving in a hurry, only Ian, Monica, and the head maid who was serving tea remained in the office.

Sitting on the sofa arranged in the office, Ian savored the fragrant tea and took a leisurely sip.