We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 170

Though he had only seen Melissa once at the Duke’s house, he had felt her love for Ian even as it was going to kill herself. It was a truth that anyone could see, and there was no way Ian didn’t know it.

So why, now, was he searching for her so desperately?

“Could it be that the rumors circulating are true?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

“I find it hard to understand.”

“What do you mean?”

Adrian became more anxious at the Magic Tower Master’s negative tone.

In truth, the Magic Tower Master didn’t need to show respect to him, even if he was the Emperor. By status, they were equals. Yet, Pedro held himself with formality, simply because he was an Aerys Empire citizen before becoming the Magic Tower Master.

Thus, if he said he wouldn’t help, it meant that even the Emperor couldn’t give orders.

“It’s strange that now, when there’s no longer a target, you’ve come to realize the imprint, Your Majesty.”

“…Do you know much about Alpha imprinting?”

“It’s puzzling why you know so much about Omega imprinting but not about Alpha imprinting. You, too, are an Alpha, just like Duke Bryant.”

“That’s because there hasn’t been one until now.”

“Is that so? Are you certain that the information you possess is complete?”

“What do you mean?”

Pedro lifted his teacup with a calm smile. It wasn’t a suitable topic for tea time, but perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to share new information with the foolish Alphas before him.

“The Aerys Empire has considered it shameful for Alphas to imprint. It has been implicitly decided that it should not happen.”

“That’s true. That’s why everyone was cautious. The reason they didn’t bother taking an Omega as a wife also stems from this custom.”

“There’s a saying, love and sneezes cannot be hidden. Imprinting comes from love, but can they truly control their feelings as they wish?”

Adrian felt a strange sensation and scrutinized the Magic Tower Master’s face closely.

Again, that disdainful expression. What kind of truth did the Magic Tower Master know that made him despise Alphas so much?

Unaware of Adrian’s thoughts, Pedro gently opened the door to the past he had kept buried. The vivid memory of his mother, once tragic and miserable, unfolded before him.

“Whatever the case may be, one-sided imprinting is the worst.”

Following Pedro’s words, Ian quietly added.

“I believe, it’s mutual imprinting.”

“Well.”

As Ian stated this with conviction, Pedro briefly thought of Melissa at the Magic Tower. What had happened to her imprinting, given her damaged pheromone source and sense of smell?

He had never asked directly, but seeing her comfortable expression made him wonder if her imprint had been broken.

While the likelihood of an imprint breaking was considered nearly impossible, life had a way of defying expectations.

“What makes you think that?”

“I have solid evidence. I’ve seen it with my own eyes and felt it deeply etched into my bones as I grew up, Your Majesty.”

“…What do you mean?”

“You know well that the previous Count Bailey secretly imprinted with his Omega. Think about it: he never expected to continue his line with an Alpha heir, yet he managed to save his Omega and have me, albeit late. Of course I did not inherit the title of Count in place of my brother. However, the previous Count Bailey likely had different thoughts at that time.”

It struck Ian as odd that Pedro insisted on referring to his father as a count. No, it wasn’t the title, it was the fierce glint in his eyes that made it seem strange.

“Unfortunately, the previous Count Bailey did engage in one-sided imprinting. As a result, my mother could hardly step outside her room. But was that all? How do you think the family of the first wife treated my mother when the Count acted as if he had suddenly gone mad? And how do you think I grew up? Don’t you find that interesting?”

“…Are you saying the previous Count Bailey had imprinted?”

“Look at this. Your Majesty didn’t know this story, did you? No matter how much you claim to be the father of all subjects, you can’t know the family matters of every child.”

“I can’t believe it.”

“…”

It was the same for Ian. The fact that he had engaged in one-sided imprinting, unlike Ian himself, was enough to drive him mad just thinking about it. The mere absence of Melissa before his eyes was enough to push him to the brink, yet the only comfort he had was that she had also imprinted with him.

Though she was hiding somewhere now, he firmly believed that if they met again, they could return to how things were before.

No, it wouldn’t be like before; it would be a fresh start. He would first apologize to her and make every effort to ease her heart.

He would wipe her tears, and if she sought revenge, he would tear her enemies apart right in front of her. If she wanted wealth, he would offer everything the Dukedom had to her. If she desired love, he would tear out his own heart and place it in her hands.

So he was different. Not all imprints were the same.

“So that’s why you’ve always had that look…”

Pedro sensed the despair in the Emperor’s words and felt puzzled.

“My expression, you mean?”

“Yes. Haven’t you always looked down on Alphas and some Betas with contempt?”

“Haha, was it that obvious? I’m surprised you noticed, Your Majesty.”

Pedro couldn’t help but laugh. It was absurd, utterly ridiculous.

“Are you that pleased that I recognized it?”

“No. It’s your words that seem strange, Your Majesty.”

“What do you mean?”

“I despise and loathe all Alphas. That includes myself, as well as you and the Duke.”

“…That’s quite offensive.”

Adrian frowned at Pedro’s increasingly rude behavior today. It was the same for Ian, but Pedro continued without hesitation.

“Don’t take offense; you should be curious about the cause, shouldn’t you? Is it because of the previous Count Bailey? Then that would just make you a foolish brat, wouldn’t it?”