We're in a Contract Marriage, But I've Imprinted - Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Translator: Effe
Editor: Yonnee
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Ian was concentrating on his work as usual. His day tended to start early, but he was always so busy that it felt like he’s constantly running out of time.
This was all because he was handling even the duties of the duchess.
At the same time, he was investing time every month for the sake of siring a successor, so even more because of this, he had no time to spare.
In addition, he had to listen to Monica’s complaints, so he has been really busy lately.
So he invited her to her mansion a few days ago.
Normally, he would visit the County, but Monica dared to come to the Duchy. Even though he was puzzled by her sudden appearance, he cleared up all the employees and walked around the quiet Duchy alone with her.
Monica would sometimes act out of the blue, so even when she asked him to dismiss all the employees, he did not think suspiciously and obeyed.
Come to think of it, Monica would suddenly show such behavior whenever Melissa was nearby.
Why was she acting like a child in front of Melissa, when she was usually neat and sociable at banquets and tea parties?
Ian had a sudden doubt, but he did not think deeply. On the other hand, he originally lacked empathy for others.
He even knew it himself.
Most alphas did. So when the alphas got together, they used to joke like that. Taking away the emotions in exchange for more intelligence and stamina?
Among the emotions, it seems that only the soft and light emotions like pastels were left.
Maybe that’s why so many alphas were wandering around without being able to have their own proper mates.
His aide handed over the documents and asked.
“What about the annex’s budget? Wouldn’t it be good to limit the budget too?”
Ian tried to leave it to his aide as usual. In fact, he didn’t even have to do it on his own.
Strangely, however, his hand stopped. He finished the sign by moving his hand that had stopped and left his signature in a graceful style.
When he didn’t answer right away, his aide looked around. He was pretty sure he should have taken care of this on his own.
His aide bowed his head deeply, as he had solved his troubles alone, took the papers he had handed out to Ian.
“I apologize for wasting your precious time on such a trivial matter. I will take care of matters related to the annex on my own.”
The moment the aide finished what he had to say quickly and turned his back, Ian opened his lips to speak.
“Give it to me.”
“…Yes, here it is.”
Ian, who quickly checked the documents his aide handed over, corrected something with his fountain pen, left his signature, and handed it back to his aide.
The aide looked at the letters Ian had written with blank eyes, felt Ian’s gaze then bowed his head, and returned to his seat.
Ian went through the next document, pondering what he had just done.
Why did he add the words, ‘no budget limit’ to the document? Even if he entrusted it with his aide, it would have been taken care of well enough.
What made him so bothered to leave those words in the document?
He questioned himself, but he quickly forgot about it, giving the excuse that he was busy.
Then, Henry came to his office.
“Young Lord, pardon me…”
When his words trailed off like this, there was only one reason. The butler hadn’t even finished talking, but Ian’s eyebrows twitched.
The butler, who quickly picked up Ian’s feelings, conveyed the words. He did think whether he should or not, but slowly responded.
“…Lady Nicola has conveyed the message that you should have tea for a while.”
Anyone who treats the butler of the duchy as a subordinate and still receives the title of ‘Lady,’ would be Ian’s sister.
However, Ian was an only child. If so, there was only one who held the ‘Lady’ title in the Ducal family.
“Tell her I’m busy.”
After he grew up, his mother never laid a hand on him.
Even so, she still couldn’t let go of her love for wealth and was anxious to use him somehow, but by what means would she win over his already grown-up son’s heart.
So she changed her ways.
Touching emotions using sympathy. She pleaded with tears and deliberately showed herself collapsing because she hadn’t eaten.
How can he feel good when she put on a farce titled, ‘I’m dying because of you’.
Still, he thought she was quiet for a while, but suddenly she asked her to drink tea leisurely.
In an instant, his mood hit rock bottom with displeasure. There were three typical reasons why he wanted to inherit the Dukeship as soon as possible.
He wanted to become a duke for himself, secondly to usurp the power that his father held tight, and finally to rid his mother of the Duchy.
He took care of all the duties of the Duchy, but he did not have the authority of the Duchy, so he could not do anything about his mother.
He suppressed the anger that was bubbling through it. With a successor alone, all these problems can be solved in one fell swoop.
So he just has to be a little patient.
Grit, the bloody noise made Henry, his aide, and even the assistant secretary all nervous as if they were standing on thin ice.
“…Apologies for disturbing your busy time. I’ll make sure to deliver the message to Lady Nicola.”
Ian doesn’t like the way the butler, who has been devoted to the duchy for a long time, apologizes, but he has him call his mother.
“It’s fine. Bring her here.”
“Understood.”
Ian, who briefly glanced at Henry as he hurriedly left the office, stood up.
“Take a little break.”
“Yes, Young Lord.”
“Yes.”
With that, the office was empty in an instant. Then, as Henry had followed his instructions, the handmaid came in pulling a trolley.
In no time, a teapot and colorful refreshments were prepared on the table.
His favorite tea was black tea with a strong smoked flavor. The black tea prepared to suit his taste filled his cup.
The handmaid glanced at his face and blushed her cheeks. Ian looked at that face blankly.
For some reason, a white face tinged with pink blush came to his mind. Then he wanted to smell the fresh and clean forest scent.
“Prepare something other than this.”
“What? Which… “
The handmaid had often prepared his tea, so she looked troubled.
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