We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 148

Henry felt like his own life was shortening as he watched Ian remain unconscious for days. Was it possible that, as the Duchy’s butler, he didn’t even know the illness of the person he served?

But Henry wasn’t alone in this thought. The Duke’s personal doctor also lingered at a distance with a pale face, ready to rush in for an examination as soon as Ian’s condition stabilized.

As everyone stood helpless, the Knights Commander approached Henry and whispered softly.

“It seems we must summon the former Duke.”

“…It appears so.”

Although he was reluctant to call someone who had retired from the front lines, there was no other option left.

When Ian, having fainted while searching for Melissa, returned to the Duchy, Henry nearly fainted himself. It was even more shocking given that Ian had never been ill before.

Yet, contrary to what Henry hoped, Ian had been unconscious for a whole week without showing any signs of waking up. Even when he did regain consciousness, he would just scream and then pass out again.

Henry was enveloped in a vague sense of unease, seeing his usually strong master in such a fragile state.

Monica, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, realized the gravity of what she had done and how it had come back to haunt her.

The current situation was far from what she had intended.

* * *

As time passed, I began to recover gradually. Although the physical recovery was slow, my mental state healed quickly. Perhaps it was thanks to the omegas living in the Magic Tower.

“Mel-lissa! You remember my name now, don’t you?”

During my stay, I had come to learn one thing for certain: wizards had a rather persistent nature.

“Of course, Miranda, right?”

“Haha, thank you for remembering. Your voice sounds even better than before.”

“It’s all thanks to everyone here.”

“Oh my, you’re making me so happy just by saying that.”

The omegas living in the Magic Tower welcomed me without any expectation of reward or reason. Although it was strange and uncomfortable at first, I had gradually adapted.

However, when I was alone, I couldn’t sleep properly because of thoughts about Ian. More than anything, I was curious.

When did I have another child with Ian, and why had Ian cruelly abandoned me…

Diers, having inherited his blood strongly, was born as an extreme dominant alpha. It was only natural that he would become the heir to Duchy Bryant.

Could it be that, since the heir has been decided, I am no longer needed? Were all the clauses written to prevent my child from being an illegitimate child merely lies?

Perhaps with his obsessive tendencies, he wanted to cleanly sever human relationships as well. Though I don’t want to understand him.

I had many questions, but with no one to ask, I felt increasingly frustrated. After tossing and turning several times and still unable to sleep, I got up.

Despite knowing the importance of maintaining a regular lifestyle for health, the restless thoughts only grew larger, especially at night when no one came to visit.

“Ah… my baby, I’m sorry. Mom will get better soon and give birth to you in good health.”

I was more concerned about the baby inside me than the discomfort from my own poor health. Still, I was relieved that recovery was underway.

The most dangerous aspect wasn’t the fall from the cliff but the inhalation of smoke. It was said that I sustained more internal injuries than external ones.

In the mysterious Magic Tower, I couldn’t find the way out. However, there was a balcony a little distance from the room where I was staying, and I decided to get some fresh air there.

As I walked down the dark hallway relying on a small light, I saw someone approaching from a distance. Although their face was obscured by the darkness, I could roughly make out the silhouette and realized it was a man.

Since everyone I had met since coming here had been women, I had never encountered a man before. Was this unidentified person someone coming to kill me? Had Ian found me here? Did he want to go that far?

In a state of panic, I hurried to return to my room, but my body was not fully recovered, and I collapsed helplessly. I could feel the mysterious figure approaching even faster.

Since the carriage incident, whenever I felt fear, my throat would constrict, and my vision would turn white. Unable to make a sound and trembling, I shut my eyes tightly and felt something slipping away from inside me, followed by a scream.

“Ahhh!”

As I had guessed, it was indeed a man. When the low voice spread through the air, wizards appeared from somewhere.

“What’s going on!”

“How dare you intrude into the Magic Tower!”

Just as I was about to feel a sense of relief from the clamor of footsteps, a weak, dying voice murmured in my ear.

“Everyone… it’s me. Pedro. Please get me out… It’s so co, cold…”

I snapped out of my daze and turned my head sharply at the familiar voice. What I saw was Pedro, trapped in ice and shivering uncontrollably.

He had managed to produce flames himself, but he couldn’t easily melt the ice I had created.

I couldn’t take my eyes off the result of the magic I had cast for the first time. The amethyst-like purple ice was crystal clear and appeared to be extremely solid.