We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 209

Despite everything, the sight of Ian stubbornly carrying out his duties made his aide feel a deep respect for him, more than before. Through this opportunity, the aide’s prejudice against Alphas and Omegas also began to change. Watching Ian go through the documents, the aide spoke up gently.

“I didn’t realize that Omegas were treated this way.”

“…”

“To be honest, I never cared much. I only judged them based on the gossip around me… and so, I never thought deeply about Lady Melissa. I just saw her as someone I was supposed to observe, following the Duke’s orders.”

The aide knew, though not exactly how, that something big was going to change in the empire under the Emperor’s guidance. He could sense that significant changes were coming.

“If that was rude, I apologize.”

The aide stood up and bowed deeply. Ian, who was sitting, gestured with his hand to show that it was fine.

Standing up, he limped over to the window. He felt a glimmer of hope that, despite the Emperor starting this change, it was something he had longed for too.

Not only for Melissa, but he hoped that, moving forward, Alphas, Omegas, and Betas alike would no longer suffer from such absurd traditions. Yet, the frustration of not being able to manage his own situation weighed heavily on him.

He stood for a long time at the window, looking outside.

* * *

I watched Ian from a corner of the garden until he disappeared from my sight, my gaze fixed on the office. I felt pathetic, hiding there, observing his condition. I had promised myself that I would never visit again, yet I couldn’t hold back after hearing a passing comment from Pedro.

“I heard the rumors that Duchy Bryant is finished. It seems the head of the family isn’t in a good condition, and gossipers have been spreading the word.”

What did ‘not in a good condition’ mean? Knowing what he had gone through, I couldn’t bring myself to turn away from him. Though far, I couldn’t help but notice his strange gait. His posture, which used to be so graceful and dignified, was now tilted to one side.

“Why is he doing this?”

At first, I was angry. It was an accident that had turned my life upside down, yet he had used it as a means to seek forgiveness, and that made me furious. Even his imprint was unpleasant to me. He had disregarded and trampled on my imprint, but now he wanted me to acknowledge his? Wasn’t that unfair?

Even though he and I had never been on equal footing, this still didn’t seem right.

On one hand, I wanted him to experience the exact same pain I had—unanswered love and the violation of my rights—but that thought didn’t last long. I knew that pain all too well, and the thought of wishing such a curse upon myself made me shudder.

The more I thought about it, the less I could bring myself to face Adella, and I couldn’t even bring myself to go see Diers. I just watched from afar, then went back to the tower.

As I was about to enter my studio, Lucia appeared in the hallway, as if waiting for me.

“Mel, I need to talk to you for a moment.”

“Yes.”

When I entered her studio, Adella was already there.

“I put her down for a nap and went out… Why is she here?”

“She woke up in the middle of it. Now that she can walk, she came looking for me and was crying outside the door.”

“…Outside the Tower Master’s door?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Once again, the uncomfortable feeling that I had been sensing for a while returned. The more Adela grew, the more she sought Lucia, and I couldn’t deny it. The feeling of irritation scraped at my heart. I couldn’t hide my raw emotions as I looked at her.

Lucia spoke with a serious expression.

“I don’t think we can delay this any longer. Melissa, you need to make a choice.”

“…Tower Master.”

“Honestly, I want to raise Adella as my child.”

“…”

“But she has her biological mother. I can’t just do that. I’m Adella’s godmother and a dear friend of yours.”

Her words stirred various emotions within me. I felt ashamed of the inferiority complex I harbored, even toward someone who had done so much for me. I couldn’t lift my head in gratitude.

“I didn’t understand what you were worried about at first, but now I do.”

She continued, her voice filled with worry as she looked at me.

“Yes… you lost your pheromone gland and sense of smell after that accident. I couldn’t imagine that you might have other issues because of that.”

She alternated her gaze between me and the sleeping Adela before continuing.

“When Olivia offered you the precious elixir, I thought you were foolish to turn it down. Why would you refuse something that money couldn’t easily buy? If you had fixed your pheromone gland, Adela would have settled, and it would have been good for you too. So, why did you turn it down?”

“…Tower Master.”

“As I thought about it for a long time, I figured it out on my own. You had imprinted.”

“…”

“In our tower, there are many Omegas with various stories, but there’s never been one like yours—someone who imprinted and then disappeared. I want to help you, but there are so many things I don’t understand. Pheromones are like that—they’re hidden, secret, and absolute.”

“Yes, Tower Master, you’re right. I’m so scared of it.”

For the first time, I openly admitted my feelings. I liked Lucia and still respected her, but the most important part of myself was something I couldn’t share with anyone. Despite my gratitude toward them, the betrayal I had felt in the past made me put on a mask and keep my distance.

“Am I really such a foolish and cruel mother? I pushed Adela away because my own pain was more important. Even though it’s said that a child who’s never received their biological parent’s pheromones may have emotional instability, I rejected even the smallest kindness offered by others.”

Tears didn’t come. I felt as if tears required some kind of justification. Instead, I held the heavy stones that had built up in my chest, and I poured out my emotions desperately.