We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 183

“Shall I invite a wizard who is not from the Tower to examine the situation, Your Majesty?”

“That seems like a good idea. I never imagined that having only dealt with the Magic Tower would lead to this situation.”

“There’s a sense of betrayal. You’ve been so courteous to the Tower Master…”

The Emperor’s attendant trembled, unable to contain the insult, but Adrian maintained an unexpectedly calm expression. This puzzled the attendant, who asked,

“I apologize for my ignorance, Your Majesty. Do you perhaps have any plans in mind?”

“This was unexpected. What can I do?”

At his words, the attendant looked even more perplexed, but Adrian waved him away, dismissing all the attendants. The individuals occupying his thoughts were neither Pedro nor Ian.

Only Lucia, who had appeared so suddenly and exhibited such a different demeanor, occupied his mind.

“Was she always like this?”

When she stayed in his palace, she rarely spoke, leading him to believe she had a gentle nature. Or rather, it was closer to being gloomy. She had never shown a smile, so he assumed that was just how she was.

“…So, she can smile like that.”

Even if that smile was one of mockery. The laughter she conveyed lingered in his ears, echoing as a fleeting sound that passed by too quickly.

“The disgusting experience of being a breeding mare…”

He wanted to argue otherwise, but he couldn’t deny the truth in her words.

“Perhaps she felt that way.”

In fact, he should have contemplated the treatment of Omegas at least once. However, no Alpha had ever questioned the wounds an Omega might have suffered or the thoughts they might harbor.

They were simply those kinds of beings. He had thought it only natural for Omegas to be exploited. In fact, he believed the value of Omegas was determined by the choices made by Alphas.

Not only Alphas but Betas as well rationalized their convenience by cornering a small number of Omegas.

He recalled Lucia during her time in the palace. What if that alluring and sorrowful Omega, who always welcomed him bare, had been forced into that position not by her own will but by someone else?

“…”

The thought he had never had made his face grow colder. He knew everyone in the palace risked their lives to gain favor with the Emperor. So why had he not suspected anything at that time?

‘Would a stallion have the right to wear nice clothes?’

A voice dripping with hatred and disgust echoed in his ears.

“Was it not something you wanted to do?”

Unaware of this, he had been quite thrilled back then. He had believed that his Omega, who emitted a fragrant pheromone, was eagerly waiting for him in his palace. How could an Omega striving to carry his seed not be beautiful?

But that was all. Despite that thought, he had never considered a future with Lucia.

“You’re right. I treated you like a breeding mare.”

Adrian couldn’t hide the bitterness in his voice. He realized he could not let things continue without knowing more. Though it was late, he needed to find out who had forced Lucia to be stripped bare and when Omegas had started to be treated so poorly.

Perhaps it was time for a change in the era.

Finishing his thoughts, Adrian stood up and walked outside instead of calling for his attendants.

The guard and attendant waiting outside quickly fell in step behind him. He said nothing as he walked.

He was curious about Ian’s whereabouts, but he decided it was more important to see the Empress first. Though he had kept Lucia in his palace, the maid who served Lucia belonged to the Empress.

* * *

Ian suddenly opened his eyes wide. He tried to get up quickly but stumbled instead. It took him a moment to realize his feet were restrained. Once he confirmed he was in his own bedroom, he cursed under his breath.

“Damn it.”

The thought of being forcibly rejected by Melissa made it hard for him to breathe. Nothing was scarier than the rejection from the Omega he had imprinted with.

His Omega’s rejection felt as if it drained all the will to live from him. Unlike his rational mind, his instincts screamed at him, ‘Die!’.

His body that had been rejected by Melissa—the landmark and reason for his existence—felt useless and wanted to disappear.

He glared at the dimly lit room, illuminated only by a single small flame. Yes, perhaps it would be better to just die and fade away. The Melissa he had so desperately been looking for had said she no longer needed his love.

“…Then, there’s no reason to live, is there?”

After staring blankly at the void for a moment, he began to grope around, trying to find something in his surroundings. He was sure he had a sword but couldn’t find it, which only fueled his anger.

Wham! Unable to hold back his fury, he struck the bed hard, causing one side to collapse with a loud creak. The head butler, who was just entering the bedroom, rushed in at the sound.

“Have you awakened, Master?”

“…”

“I’ll fetch the doctor right away.”

Realizing the bed was beyond saving for now, the head butler left to check on Ian’s condition. In the brief silence that followed, Ian bit his lip and shook his injured leg from side to side in an attempt to loosen the restraining cords before pulling them forcefully.

Snap, the cords came loose far too easily, and Ian sat up. He looked around for anything that could serve as a weapon. A sense of despair enveloped him like a shroud.

“Mel rejected me.”

The woman who had imprinted on him and proclaimed her love no longer needed him. How could that be? More than being curious about the reason, he simply wanted to disappear when he caught sight of a small figure.

“Dad?”