We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 162

Henry, who had not forgotten the words of the former Duke, suddenly began counting the days since the Madam disappeared. It had been exactly 7 months since she vanished in the cold winter.

Nearly two full seasons had passed, so Ian’s impatience was understandable.

Given his temperament, Ian would have already set out to find her, but the need to address the estate’s wrongdoers and a lingering sense of responsibility kept him in his position as Duke.

Henry thought he needed to bring something up and suddenly remembered a crucial fact he had somehow forgotten until now.

“Master! When was the last time you had the rut cycle?”

It was astonishing that he only now realized this, given his close service to Ian.

Ian, who had been pacing the room like a predator, stopped abruptly at Henry’s words.

“I’m not entirely sure since I’m a Beta, but the last time you skipped a rut cycle was that time.”

He recalled the time when the Madam was pregnant. Until then, Ian had never missed a rut cycle, but once she became pregnant, it abruptly stopped. It was then he first thought of the mysterious nature of the Alpha and Omega relationship.

Although Henry’s intention was to calm Ian, the outcome was the opposite. Ian, understanding the implication of Henry’s words, was even more agitated and nearly on the verge of rushing out of the estate.

Indeed, Ian immediately grasped the meaning behind Henry’s words.

His Omega was once again carrying his seed. And that she was still alive.

1. New Family Members

“Hoo, hoo…”

“Don’t worry, Mel. We’re here.”

As the time for childbirth approached, all the wizards from the Magic Tower gathered. They repeatedly reassured me not to worry.

Though it was less scary than with the first birth, I couldn’t help but be anxious. The baby would be born without ever having felt either mine or its father’s pheromones, which was a cause for concern.

I prayed silently, hoping the baby would be born healthy and not get sick, when the labor pains began, twisting my abdomen.

“Huugh!”

To endure the intense labor pains, I clenched my teeth tightly while Lucia held my hand. Surrounded by the supportive cheers of the worried wizards, I went through the process of giving birth for the second time.

After enduring nearly 10 hours of labor, I finally met my child. A cute baby girl who was an Omega.

“Huwaahh!”

“Oh my goodness.”

Lucia, who had washed the newborn and cradled her in her arms, exclaimed in awe. With a flushed face, she gently placed the baby into my arms.

“Mel, you always show me something new.”

“What does that mean…?”

I wanted to ask, but my throat was sore from all the screaming, and I couldn’t continue speaking. However, even without my question, not only Lucia but also the wizards around us began to speak with expressions of wonder.

“I’ve never seen an extremely recessive Omega give birth before.”

“Congratulations, Mel. A sweet-smelling Omega daughter with a fragrance as charming as a freesia has been born.”

“Oh my, her hair is just like Mel’s.”

“I’m curious about the eye color too, but she probably can’t open them yet, right?”

“Wow, the pheromones coming from this tiny thing are so expansive.”

“It’s the first time a child has been born in the Magic Tower, and an extremely dominant Omega at that!”

“Really impressive, Mel.”

“Congratulations!”

The room buzzed with overlapping voices, but I clearly heard them. An extreme dominant Omega. Unable to hide my astonishment, I looked at the baby in my arms.

Just then, Lucia, who was sitting beside me, asked,

“Have you thought of a name?”

“Huwee…”

Holding my daughter, who was wriggling as she searched for something to eat, I propped myself up. As I gave her the breast, I murmured softly,

“Adella.”

I wanted to give her a name that meant ‘noble’. Even if the world views her as insignificant just because she’s an Omega, I hope she sees herself as noble.

“Heh, that’s a very fitting name.”

As if she understood Lucia’s praise, Adella paused from nursing and gave a small smile. For a brief moment, her eyes, which resembled her father’s striking golden color, peeked out before quickly disappearing behind her eyelids.

If it were before, I might have felt happiness and relief seeing traits of her father in her. But now, I don’t feel that way.

Yes, without attaching anyone’s surname, purely as ‘Adella’ herself. Unlike me, I hope she lives solely for herself, and I pressed a brief kiss to Adella’s forehead.

* * *

Henry could no longer stop Ian, who was beyond furious. Determined, Ian went to the gorge and disbanded the search party that had still not found Melissa, replacing them with new members.

With the new search team, he started re-investigating the nearby villages and expanding the search area.

“Your Grace, we have searched not only the nearby villages but also the stretch leading to the sea. Yet, we couldn’t find even a strand of the Madam’s hair.”

The former search party’s knight, who remained to report their findings, spoke to Ian. Ian replied with a stern face,

“Could it be that you were simply incompetent?”

“…We did our best, Your Grace.”

Ian was not unaware that the search party had done their utmost, as the knight had said. Perhaps he was unwilling to accept the possibility that Melissa had hidden herself after being hurt.

Ian vividly remembered what Henry had said. He was foolish not to realize it himself until the butler spoke, but Henry’s words were not wrong.

Even if he had imprinted her, he would have gone into rut. It would have happened for sure.

So, Melissa was alive.