We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 168

“Aahh, young master…”

“It’s Count now. Watch your title.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Well, you’ve been devoted to our family for a long time, so I can understand. Just know I’m treating you well because it’s you. Got it?”

“Of course. I’ve always respected you, Count.”

“Good. It might be tough, but find out exactly what Monica has done and report back to me.”

“Yes, I will.”

As Jesse left the office with a bright expression, Alex watched her closely. Once she was gone, he muttered under his breath.

“Why was she meeting the Duchy’s head maid separately? Was she trying to kill Melissa? Foolish sister.”

Harming someone was one thing, but murder carried a different weight. It was not something that could be easily overlooked, even for nobles. The recent rumors were troubling.

“If what they say about Ian is true, damn it. We’re f**ked.”

He hoped his sister was just holed up because her plans had failed. If not, he’d have no choice but to marry her off to another family to handle the situation.

* * *

Ian felt as if his entire body was on fire. His throat screamed in agony. Every inch of skin felt like it was itching because of the blood flowing underneath.

He clawed at his own skin. He scratched so hard that pieces of flesh fell off. Henry tried to bind Ian’s wrists, but he was no match for the strength.

Not even the Knight’s Commander could control him. Ian’s eyes rolled back until his whites were seen, and he thrashed wildly, trying to escape the room.

Henry knew where he wanted to go but couldn’t leave a suffering person in the corridor, especially now that it was getting chilly.

“Duke! Please….!”

With a beast-like cry, Ian burst out of his room, blood streaming down as he headed for the annex.

Just then, a loud wail echoed from the staircase.

“Waaaah!”

“Young Master, it’s okay. You’re alright…”

At that moment, the nanny and Diers came up the stairs and met Ian

“Huwaah, Mo, Mom…”

The startled child who burst into tears called out for someone who was exactly the person Ian had been desperately searching for. With his senses coming back, Ian didn’t even think to check his own appearance as he rushed toward the child.

As the plump arms wrapped around him, Ian was overwhelmed by an indescribable emotion at the warmth of the child’s body.

“Dia, it’s Dad. It’s okay, shh…”

“Mom, Mom…”

“Dad will find Mom for you, don’t worry.”

“Waaah…”

He absentmindedly patted the child’s heavier bottom while gazing blankly into the air. No matter how lost he had been, how could he have forgotten about Diers, the fruit of his Omega?

He looked closely into the child’s tear-filled violet eyes, reminiscent of Melissa’s, and watched as the wild energy gradually calmed down.

Even the pheromones shifted to a gentler tone. In order to comfort the child, Ian suppressed his emotions with all his might, though he wasn’t even aware that this was not about preserving the trace of his Omega but a desire to protect the child.

The fruit of her and him. The fact was what truly mattered.

* * *

The child was growing rapidly, and I realized just how happy it was to witness those moments of her growth.

“Has Dia grown even bigger since then?”

The more Adella grew, the more I thought of Diers. Sometimes, I had the absurd thought of secretly visiting the Duchy just to see the child.

Even with such thoughts, Ian never came to mind. Occasionally, I might recall him, but it was always from a place of frustration and sadness, not affection.

“My goodness, Della. Are you done with the apples?”

“Don don!”

Seeing my daughter mimic words lately brought a smile to my face. After finishing a cut apple, the child naturally reached out her hand.

“Okay then, shall we go to the workshop with Mom?”

“Uung.”

“Our Della must be really smart. Do you understand what Mommy is saying already?”

“Uung?”

“Did you know that the wizards are really looking forward to your growth?”

As Adella grew, all the Omegas in the Mage Tower were filled with anticipation. Being a rare Omega born in the tower, there was a strong desire for her to unlock her exceptional magical potential.

Of course, Lucia had warned them not to put too much pressure on her, so they didn’t speak of it directly, but their eager gazes couldn’t hide their excitement.

“They’re really sweet and kind people.”

I didn’t feel burdened by their attention; instead, I viewed it as affection. Once in the workshop, I gently set Adella down in a corner that I had decorated like a playroom before heading to my desk.

A list of magical tools I needed to create today was laid out on the table. Remembering Lucia’s recent words about increasing our magical item orders, I immediately began inscribing the magic circles.

It had already been several seasons since I arrived at the tower. Sometimes I wondered what my life would have been like if I hadn’t made it here, but it was just idle curiosity.

Most people didn’t know that there were only about twenty wizards in the Magic Tower, nor that they were all Omegas.

There was Alpha Pedro, of course, but he had to travel around in Lucia’s place, who couldn’t show her face publicly. Because of that, he spent very little time in the tower. It was surprising to think back to when he used to visit daily during my pregnancy to share his pheromones.

I had also heard from Lucia that there were quite a few Omega wizards hiding throughout the empire. Each of them had their own circumstances, choosing solitude, and the look in Lucia’s eyes as she spoke of it seemed tinged with bitterness.

I thought that no matter how the world turned out, it had nothing to do with me, but when I thought of Adella, I couldn’t do that. What would other countries think of omegas? Would they look down on them like the Empire did?

Adela could live in the tower if she wanted, but having a limited place to live and choosing one’s own place would be different. I wanted to give my child as many choices as possible, so I always met Pedro on the days he came to the tower after traveling around various places.