We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 199

“If, perhaps, you were to stand on the same level as me, well…”

Melissa paused and reflected on her own words. From the moment she first met him until now, she had never once considered herself to be on the same level as him.

He had always been superior to her, not only in status and ability but in emotions as well. She had never even considered changing the clear power dynamic between them. After a long moment of thought, she finally continued.

“…It would be the first time we’re on the same starting line. If that happens, then both you and I would have a fair chance.”

At her answer, Ian was pleased, but he nodded without showing his excitement.

“Yes, yes. I will make sure to create that opportunity for you.”

Looking at him nodding with such a pitiful expression, she couldn’t help but feel sympathy. Was it sympathy for Diers, or for Ian? It was hard to tell.

Either way, she couldn’t deny that his vulnerable state had stirred something inside her.

* * *

Once Melissa disappeared, Ian’s body suddenly became weak and he collapsed. He covered his face with his sweat-drenched hands, letting out a choked laugh. Finally, there was a crack in her heart, a place where his words had slipped through.

Despite feeling disgusted by his own treachery, he had no intention of letting this opportunity slip by. After taking a moment to collect himself, he slowly stood up and left Diers’s room. Grabbing his sword, he exuded a fierce aura and headed downstairs.

Meanwhile, the nanny, who had just been thoroughly scolded by Melissa, was now venting her frustration on the maids.

“This is your fault! If you had been watching properly, this wouldn’t have happened! Why didn’t you speak up?”

“We, we only did as you told us, nanny!”

“That’s right! Don’t put the blame on us!”

Around them were the head maid and the head butler, but they were doing nothing to intervene, clearly avoiding getting involved.

Seeing them shift the blame and try to avoid responsibility made him laugh bitterly. They were completely unaware of Ian approaching until one of the maids screamed, causing them to stop and stiffen in terror.

“What a mess.”

“Du, Duke?”

“How dare you disgrace our family by being part of it. I can’t accept this.”

“Please, please forgive us, just this once…”

The head maid and head butler trembled, begging for mercy, and soon, all the other servants around them knelt and began to apologize as well. Among them, only the nanny stood still..

She clutched her bruised face from being beaten by Melissa and pleaded with the Duke.

“I am truly innocent, Duke. You know how much I’ve cared for the young master, so how could you leave me to be beaten by such a crude Omega? This is not right! This can’t be!”

Having spent so much time in the Duchy, the nanny was clearly too accustomed to her position, unaware of the imprint that had been formed between the Duke and Melissa.

To be honest, it wasn’t that she had heard rumors, but rather that she had simply not paid them any attention. The way the beta perceived the bond between an alpha and an omega was seen as something akin to pure love, and nothing more.

The servants kneeling before her were pale with fear from the nanny’s words, and Ian let out a slight chuckle. It was almost absurd to think that someone in his household was still speaking like that.

How she interpreted his laughter, he wasn’t sure, but the nanny found the courage to step forward toward him. She was consumed by the humiliation she had suffered at Melissa’s hands.

An omega who had never received proper respect in the Duchy had somehow become a wizard and humiliated her in front of everyone.

She had tasted a bit of power, and now she couldn’t go back to being just the young master’s nanny. Like a spell had been cast on her, she approached the Duke. Stopping right in front of him, she lightly grabbed his arm and whispered, almost pleadingly,

“I understand you, Duke. Only I, who have taken care of the young master, can help you. So…”

She had thought until now that Ian was alone simply because he was a divorced man with a child. But she believed that, despite that, she could willingly accept this.

Still, she felt confident. She believed that, unlike with other servants, Ian had shown her a different side. Surely, he must have some feelings for her, and she was certain of it.

Ian swiftly cut off the disgusting hand that was creeping up his arm.

“Kyaak!”

“Ha, this is the result of dealing with things so clumsily.”

All the times he thought he had been firm in his punishment now seemed useless. Seeing how she still looked down on Melissa made him sick. Witnesses or evidence didn’t matter. Rather than wait and try to understand the mindset that would never change, it was better to forcefully push things forward.

Ian’s sword plunged deep into her struggling body. As blood spurted from the wound, he flicked his hand in annoyance to shake it off.

At that moment, all Ian wanted was to slaughter everyone except his omega and child.

#22_Reap What You Sow

Around this time, Monica was being pressured by Alex to go on multiple meeting dates. She couldn’t believe that Ian had an imprint, and she simply couldn’t accept the fact that everything had gone wrong because of her own mistakes. She stayed locked away in her room, acting as though she had lost her mind.

But then, suddenly, Alex burst in, grabbed her, and dragged her to another meeting. It was Alex who started the process, but over time, Monica herself began to prepare for these meetings.

She wanted to show Ian something. Even without him, she had plenty of suitors from other families.