We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 160

“It’s a rugged canyon, so it’s quite far from the surrounding villages. There are quite a few villages, actually. Isn’t this good news? It means there’s a higher chance of finding the Madam.”

“…I suppose we’ll need to increase the search party.”

“Yes, I’ll call the commander.”

Henry’s reasonable words helped Ian calm down for a moment. After getting dressed, he headed straight to his office.

“Should I have breakfast prepared?”

“I’m not in the mood.”

“Still, you should eat something. I’m worried because you skip every meal.”

“Forget it. My omega might be on the brink of life and death. How could I eat?”

“But…”

“Enough. Just bring me some strong black tea.”

Ian said firmly to Henry, who persistently stayed at the office door, and then entered alone. The staff who had already started their day greeted Ian and quickly handed over the documents.

“Duke, here are the documents with the confessions from the employees.”

“Hmm.”

Currently, less than half of the original staff were working at the estate. Many had been imprisoned, and while they all initially claimed innocence, they slowly began to confess their crimes.

They admitted to stealing various items, from gold coins and jewelry to expensive gemstones and even dresses. Reading the testimonies and confessions about stolen items belonging to both Melissa and Nicola, Ian was baffled and let out a laugh.

“Were the people I hired just a bunch of thieves?”

The more he thought about it, the more absurd it seemed, and he ended up throwing the documents to the floor.

“Ha…”

Another headache hit him, and he covered his eyes with his palm. The throbbing pain intensified, accompanied by a ringing in his ears. His imprinted heart craved his omega’s pheromones with his entire being. He now understood why she had needed pheromones even during their separation.

The thought that he might have asked for pheromones one last time made him gasp. It was as if he wanted to live on the pheromones she had given him before leaving far away. But what had he said at that time…?

With the throbbing pain, it felt as though his consciousness was slipping away. His dazed eyes roamed the empty air until they landed on a vision of beautiful green hair.

“Mel!”

The green hair, gently swaying with the wind, quickly disappeared out the window. Ian, who had tried to follow it hurriedly, was stopped by hands restraining him.

“Duke, get a hold of yourself…!”

“Let go of me!”

As he shouted and forcefully pushed them away, he heard the sound of something breaking. Slowly turning his head toward the source of the noise, he saw one of the aides lying on the floor, groaning, with others gathered around.

Ian looked around with a bewildered expression before noticing his own position. He was standing right by the window, with his upper body nearly out. If he had leaned forward just a bit more, he would have fallen out.

“…”

Ian could only watch as the aide who had collapsed was taken out by his colleagues. He was stunned by the gaze one of the aides sent him—an expression he had never encountered before in his life.

It was a gaze that viewed him as a complete outsider. The wary yet subtly dismissive look was new and shocking to him. Only then did Ian realize how those around him perceived him.

Though they did not dare show it openly because of his status as Duke, they already considered him different from ordinary people.

Ian now understood Melissa’s feelings. He felt ashamed for ever thinking he could understand her just through the imprint. She must have endured such looks not only at the Duke’s estate but also at the Count’s, facing harsh and sharp gazes as a mere illegitimate child, unlike himself.

This was the price he paid for having ignored her feelings for so long.

Even as the achievements he had built crumbled one by one, Melissa remained more important.

He wished, more than anything, for her to return, even if he had to beg for forgiveness every day. Or perhaps only when he was utterly broken and completely shattered would he finally have a chance to come back to her.

This thought suddenly crossed his mind.

* * *

The monotonous routine was no different from when I lived at the Duchy, but the days at the Magic Tower passed quickly.

Each morning after waking up, I have a nutritious breakfast. I would visit Lucia’s room to assist her with her tasks and receive private lessons. I studied various magic circles, learned to fine-tune my mana control, and practiced mana breathing exercises daily to enhance my magical power.

“This is a magical tool that keeps the ice from melting. It’s the item ordered from the ice cream shop I mentioned before.”

“So, I’ll need to inscribe an ice magic circle on it?”

“Exactly. But there’s one thing I forgot to mention, something so basic I just overlooked.”

She said with a playful expression.

“Even without an attribute, anyone with mana can become a wizard, but elemental wizard have innate attributes.”

I quickly grasped what she was implying.

“So, if we inscribe an ice magic circle on the tool using ice attribute mana, it would create a much stronger magic circle?”

“Exactly. You’re such a true student.”

She said with a satisfied smile at my answer.

I immediately began to draw on my mana, creating the ice magic circle in the air and practicing. The fact that it was an item ordered from the ice cream shop that had given me fond memories made me even more focused.

The tangled purple mana began to unravel like a thread. I carefully inscribed the magic circle onto the tool, one step at a time.

As I became so absorbed in the task that I forgot Lucia was beside me, everything around me felt serene.

Recently, whenever I entered this state of mind, I found peace.