We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 166

Ian, unable to refuse the Emperor’s summons, came to the palace immediately. Even though he believed Melissa was alive, the fact that he couldn’t find a trace of her deeply distressed him.

When the Emperor saw him enter the audience chamber with a troubled expression, he let out a sigh. Could someone’s demeanor change so drastically, even after such a long time? In the Emperor’s eyes, the duke appeared as pitiful and anxious as a beast driven from its territory.

“Your Majesty, have you been well?”

“Why does your face look so haggard?”

The changes in Ian, who had always been the Emperor’s most cherished subject, affected him deeply.

“It’s not like the Duke to show such emotion. Surely, the rumors circulating aren’t true.”

Adrian dismissed the gossip about the Duke’s imprint , but seeing Ian’s state made him question it. He hoped desperately that Ian would deny any such claims, but with no response, the Emperor could only sigh again.

“Ah… How could such a mistake happen?”

Ian’s insides twisted at the Emperor’s words, which dismissed his imprint with an Omega as a mistake. Yet, he couldn’t dare to challenge the Emperor; he still had some semblance of restraint left.

“I feel foolish for only realizing this now.”

“Duke.”

“I’ve thought a lot about this. Am I going mad? How could I have only just noticed the imprint?”

Ian’s words flowed out in a rush.

“At the end of my chain of thoughts, one question emerged.”

“What is it?”

“Your Majesty, when did Alphas start taking betas as their primary mates instead of Omegas?”

This question had struck him out of nowhere while he aimlessly searched for Melissa. Alphas were supposed to bond with Omegas, so why were Omegas being treated as secondary or even as mistresses?

The tradition had changed over time, and it seemed that Alphas now viewed Omegas solely as vessels for producing heirs, as if someone had instructed them not to do otherwise.

When did this start, and why?

“…Huh.”

Adrian couldn’t immediately answer the Duke’s question. He had never pondered such a thing himself. Following the customs of birth and upbringing was a common trait among all humans, regardless of being Alpha, Omega, or Beta.

“Your Majesty, shouldn’t we live according to nature? I….”

For an Alpha, an Omega is the perfect match. All along, he had resisted his instincts and failed to recognize his own feelings, wanting to use the absurd customs as an excuse. He thought he had only realized his feelings after losing his Omega. But in truth, it was the circumstances that had shaped this understanding.

If he didn’t think that way, he feared he would die before even finding her. With a corpse-like expression, he waited for the Emperor’s response.

Yet Adrian couldn’t offer any answer. He had thought meeting Ian would relieve his frustration, but instead, he found himself feeling even more tangled, his lips only twitching.

“This isn’t right. You should go back and rest. I will call for you again.”

“…Understood. Then, I will take my leave.”

At the Emperor’s words, Ian reluctantly exited the audience chamber. What was he to do with his empty and desolate heart?

As he trudged through the tranquil corridor bathed in red sunlight, a familiar face appeared ahead.

Marquis Ovando recognized Ian and briefly made a troubled expression before approaching him.

“Duke, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

“How do you think I’ve been?”

With rumors already spreading, it was hard for the Marquis to pretend he didn’t know. He cautiously replied,

“…Are you alright?”

“No.”

Unlike before, Ian didn’t hide his weakness. Perhaps he longed for someone, anyone, to share his heart with.

“Is your Omega still with the Marquisate?”

“Yes, she is.”

“What are your feelings towards her? Isn’t it time to let her go?”

“…She’s still too innocent and pure to let go easily.”

“Marquis, I’m curious. Why can’t we have Omegas as our primary mates? No one has ever stopped us from doing so. No Alpha has ever thought of an Omega as anything less than a true partner. Why is this the case? Do you understand?”

Ian’s persistent questioning didn’t seem offensive. It conveyed his desperation. The Marquis answered honestly without realizing it.

“Because it’s a tradition that has been passed down, or because most Omegas are either illegitimate children or commoners, our starting points are different. I think that makes reaching marriage difficult.”

As Ian continued speaking, the once vague realization in the Marquis’s mind began to sharpen.

After all, Alphas were not so different from Omegas; they too could be illegitimate children. So why were Omegas still often relegated to being either illegitimate or commoners, while only Alphas could rise to nobility?

“That’s absurd.”

Ian muttered, reflecting the Marquis’s thoughts.

“I don’t like it.”

As he spoke, the sound of Ian grinding his teeth was heard, followed by the sudden flow of blood from his nose. Surprised, the Marquis reached out, but Ian instinctively pulled away as if having a seizure.

“…What is that smell?”

Ian had unconsciously moved a little closer while speaking, but suddenly a foul odor invaded his nostrils.

The pheromones were so faint that others might not notice them, but for him, it was unbearable. The scent of another Omega, not his imprinted one, was revolting and sickening.

Not only that, but he felt a twisting pain in his gut, making it hard to stand. Collapsing helplessly, Ian pictured Melissa instead of the Marquis’s concerned face as he fell. With each slow blink of his eyelids, her lingering image became clearer.

When was the last time he had seen her smile? What had her lovely voice sounded like? He could no longer recall. Just the thought of losing her made his heart sink, as if it had lost its reason to beat.

“Duke, pull yourself together!”

With the Marquis’s frantic shout, Ian completely lost consciousness, wishing he could just remain in darkness.