We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Translator: Effe

Editor: Yonnee

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The fact that the ice cream shop was situated at the plaza meant that anyone could buy and eat it, right?

As I stared at it, I craved the strawberry ice cream Mother had given me. Wanting to eat it, I rummaged through the pocket of my dress and sighed.

“Ah…”

I had come out thoughtlessly, so I didn’t bring any money. I should have brought the money I had saved little by little during my stay at the County. But I had forgotten and hid it deep in the closet, like a fool.

I had never spent money, so I hadn’t realized that I needed money when going out in the first place.

Hearing the dejected sigh, Daniel asked.

“What’s the matter, Lady?”

“…It’s my first time going out, so I didn’t bring any money.”

Daniel showed a subtle expression again and asked.

“What flavor would you like to have?”

“Ah…”

I couldn’t easily answer his question. My position was too much to accept goodwill from anyone. I couldn’t have ridiculous rumors spreading about the Duchy just because I wanted to eat an ice cream.

“No. I was just curious. I don’t want to eat any.”

After making a poor excuse, I tried to hurriedly pass the ice cream shop.

Then someone spoke up.

“I heard that this shop kept their tradition close to one hundred years. It is made with a secret method passed down from generation to generation, and the chewy texture is excellent.”

“….Ah.”

Turning around, there was the man I saw earlier. Ian’s close friend whom Alex called Pedro.

“According to the will of the founder, they have maintained the price so that even commoners can buy it. So, although it’s a delicacy, it’s not expensive.”

“……”

He approached me in a friendly way, like someone who had seen me a few times, and Daniel didn’t stop him either. It seemed that he had already seen Daniel before me.

“So don’t take it as a burden. Would you like some ice cream?”

He held out the strawberry-flavored ice cream he bought. Just like before, one step away from me.

* * *

The ice cream placed on top of a snack-like cone looked cool and delicious. She hesitated, then she saw that the surface of the strawberry-flavored ice cream he was holding melted.

“…Thank you.”

Melissa cautiously reached out her hand, and the man smiled as he gave the ice cream. The moment it was in her hands, his fingertips touched him for a split second. Melissa was surprised and quickly brought the ice cream to her side.

“I came here because I always visit this place when I come to the capital, but I didn’t know you would be here.”

He murmured as he ate the ice cream he was holding in his other hand, like he didn’t care about their fingertips brushing, unlike her. Standing still, she noticed that her ice cream had melted and dripped, and quickly popped it into her mouth.

It was much thicker and chewier than the strawberry-flavored ice cream she had eaten before. Melissa’s eyes widened feeling the texture she had never tried before, and he smiled.

“It tastes better if you eat it while sitting in front of the fountain. Would you like to go?”

“…Yes.”

He’s an alpha, it was only a few hours ago that she tried to get away from him. Yet just one offer of ice cream had broken down her defenses. But that aside, the fact that he was Ian’s close friend must have played a part.

Pedro smiled as he watched the woman walking carefully not to spill her ice cream. He then felt a gaze on him, so he raised his head. He conveyed it to Daniel with his eyes. He was telling Daniel not to disturb.

The two people who came to the fountain sat down on the stone seats like everyone else and ate ice cream comfortably. Their eyes went straight to the people .

The sight of a man and woman on a cozy date and families chatting harmoniously seemed to give a sense of fullness.

She felt a sweet and cool taste in her mouth, and she saw only happy people in her eyes. As the afternoon progressed, the softened sunlight and cool breeze gave her a sense of freedom she had never once known.

Can people who do not belong to someone or a family live that freely?

Melissa seemed to have regrets as she slowly lowered her hand and moved her gaze after finishing the ice cream.

“Is it good?”

Pedro, who hadn’t said anything to let her savor, smiled at her and asked.

“Yes, it is really good.”

“The Duchy will give you only good things, but come out and eat sometimes. This kind of romance is something you can never get at home.”

“…Yes, I will.”

Melissa just smiled lightly. Even after living in the County or Duchy where people couldn’t enter even if they wanted to, she has never tasted such delicious ice cream.

The place that others wanted so much, was hell for her. Now it has only become just a means of her survival.

Melissa asked Pedro, who faintly smelled of pheromones.

“Are you an alpha?”

“Oh, can you sense my pheromones?”

“A little…”

“I couldn’t rein in my pheromones as neatly as Ian can. I apologize for bothering you.”

“No, it’s really only a little bit… Anyway, I asked because I’m seeing an Alpha for the first time besides my father and the Young Lord.”

“Really? Well, it’s not easy for an omega and an alpha to meet. Unexpectedly.”

Melissa looked up at Pedro’s last words with eyes full of wonder. As he said, it seemed as if alphas and omegas would have a hard time meeting each other.

Perhaps reading her eyes, Pedro began to explain.

“That is a given. We’re the ones who ostracized the omegas until this point.”

“…So are you saying the number has decreased?”

Melissa tried to express it in a roundabout way, but bluntly, the omega population would decrease. Pedro burst into a small laugh. She liked the sound of his soft laughter.

“Haha, well. You might see it that way. Is it the same as not being noticed by us anyway?”

“What do you mean…”

Pedro stared at her face for a while, then brought his face closer. Melissa saw his eyes, colored red like the setting sun, slowly turn right in front of her nose. After confirming that Daniel, who was standing nearby, looked elsewhere, he secretly whispered.

“It means that those who treat omegas as fools are rather the fools themselves.”

“……”

“Omegas have no reason to meet alphas unless the heat cycle has commenced. Of course, a heat cycle can be controlled with medicine.”

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Feeling burdened that he was so close, Melissa pulled back from him. Then Pedro moved a little closer to her and whispered, as he had done in the lobby of the Duchy.

“If there was a place where only omegas lived, I would go there.”

“…What?”

“If there was a town full of omegas, no alphas or betas, would you want to go there?”

“……”

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