We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 203

More than half of her once-beautiful hair had been burned away, leaving only charred remnants, while the skin on her face, neck, and arms had been ravaged and disfigured by the flames.

Although the doctor had said that the worst was over, Alex couldn’t contain his anger.

“I won’t let this go! Ian von Bryant! County Rosewood will file an official complaint about this incident!”

The knights’ commander, trying to calm Alex down, intervened.

“The Duke is also a victim in this matter. Please refrain from making rash judgments.”

“Don’t make me laugh! When was the last time he treated anyone like a person? Suddenly, he started getting close to my sister—there’s something suspicious about it!”

“What’s urgent right now is not whose fault this is, but the treatment of Lady Rosewood.”

Alex grumbled at the knight commander’s words and shoved the knight’s arm who had grabbed him. He directed the household staff to move Monica into the carriage.

“I absolutely don’t think this is a simple accident. If you think we’re just going to back down quietly, tell Ian he’s gravely mistaken!”

With that, Alex stormed off, and the commander, seeing him off, let out a deep sigh before heading inside. He went straight to the room where Ian was still unconscious and asked the attending doctor about his condition.

“…How is the Duke doing?”

“Although he’s in better condition than the other two, I can’t say he’s okay just yet.”

“Are there any lasting effects?”

“…I’ll do my best, but I can’t make any promises.”

The doctor sighed as he treated Ian’s broken leg. The fractures were too severe to be considered a simple break, and whether it would heal properly was uncertain. The Duchy was consumed by a heavy silence, with no sound breaking the oppressive stillness.

* * *

The former Duke closed his eyes tightly after seeing his son’s tragic state. He had wondered why he had been summoned to the capital, but after seeing his son’s condition, he realized that he had been called just to witness this.

“Your Grace…”

Henry, who had stepped down from his position as head butler out of guilt for Ian, stood beside him, offering support.

“This is why I told him not to imprint…”

Despite knowing it was too late, the former Duke couldn’t help but complain. Henry turned to the attending doctor and asked,

“How severe are his injuries?”

“…We will know more accurately once the Duke awakens, but for now, he has internal injuries to his lungs and throat, and his right leg is broken. He also suffered minor burns elsewhere.”

“Then why hasn’t he woken up yet…?”

The doctor lowered his head at the former Duke’s question.

“I’m sorry. I haven’t been able to find the cause.”

“…Henry.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Find a healing wizard.”

“Understood.”

Hesitating, the doctor spoke up again.

“…The Duke had already informed the knights’ commander that he wouldn’t allow any healing wizard to examine him.”

“What is going on here?!”

At the doctor’s words, the former Duke raised his voice angrily. He could no longer tolerate his son’s bizarre behavior.

“Thinking of Dia, he can’t act like this,” the former Duke wanted to say, but he kept his mouth shut. Ultimately, it seemed like everything started with himself.

Had he not rejected Nicola and accepted her as she was, would Ian have imprinted? Or, even if he had imprinted, perhaps they would have been living happily together with Dier’s mother.

He wasn’t sure where or when everything started to go wrong, or who was at fault. But that didn’t mean he could ignore it anymore.

“Grandpa!”

The former Duke straightened his back when he heard his grandson calling for him from outside. Now was the time to focus on Diers. That’s what his son would want.

“Dia must never know.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“I will remember that.”

“Henry, take charge of this place for now. Keep the employees from talking.”

“Understood”

After giving a firm warning, the former Duke left the room. In the hallway, he spotted Diers’s bright face looking for him and pulled him into a hug. He then walked away from the room where his son was, hiding his aching heart deep inside.

* * *

I had been so busy that I hadn’t had the chance to see Diers. Not only was I occupied with creating magical tools, but as Lucia had said, I was also busy searching for the Omegas.

It wasn’t easy to find the hidden Omegas. There were only a few visible candidates, one of whom was Lorena from Marquisate Ovando.

The sight of the name brought back memories of the past. It felt strange since it wasn’t that long ago, but it seemed distant, as though it had been much longer.

“Do you know her?”

Lucia asked as she noticed me staring at Lorena’s name.

“Is Miss Lorena still staying with Marquisate Ovando?”

“Hmm, from what I’ve gathered, yes. Why?”

“Oh, just curious.”

“Hmm…”

Lorena had been looked down on by Liliana when I had been invited to Marquisate Ovando. Despite all the time that had passed, why was she still living there?

Was it because of the child?

If Lorena staying there was because of her own will, what should I do? Was it truly right to bring the Omegas to the tower, as Lucia suggested?

“Then, will Mel visit Marquisate Ovando instead?”

“Yes, that would be good.”

It seemed better for me to go since I had met Lorena before, so I agreed with Lucia’s suggestion. I used teleportation to move to Marquisate Ovando and headed straight to the annex where Lorena stayed.

I made sure to move stealthily, without being noticed, and soon found her in the garden. To avoid startling her, I made sure to approach her slowly, making noise so she would know someone was coming.

When Lorena turned around, her eyes widened in surprise.