We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Translator: Effe

Editor: Yonnee

—

Ian had no intention of staying at the banquet for long, and so he slipped away to the main residence with Marquis Ovando once he found the right moment. The two of them discussed their common interests.

“I couldn’t even move away from my omega during the pregnancy. I assume it was the same for you, Young Lord?”

“Hmm.”

“Although I am a dominant alpha, I believe it was not much different from a beta— Except for the rut cycle, of course.”

Ian occasionally nodded as he listened to the Marquis’ story.

“I’ve been tempering it with suppressants ever since the rut cycle started, and the satisfaction I felt during my first heat with an omega was indescribable.”

“I agree.”

“Furthermore, to have the omega who gave birth to my child? The affection I feel is like no other.”

As they walked, the two continued their conversation.

“So I became so intoxicated with my omega, doing everything I never did. I bought everything she wanted to wear, eat and have. And yet, I find it surprising that I don’t feel that it was a waste.”

Feeling a similar sentiment, Ian felt that he had made the right choice in coming to meet the Marquis. Marquis Ovando, rather than heading straight to the main residence, entered the walking path to continue their conversation, and Ian followed suit without a word.

“When my omega was carrying our child, I even thought, ‘Should I leave my wife now and bring my omega in as my wife…,”

Marquis Ovando, who had been excited from the banquet hall grew quiet for the first time. Ian didn’t press him further but quietly waited for his words to continue.

“However, Young Lord.”

“Yes, please go on.”

Expecting the Marquis to have more to say, Ian waited. After a brief pause, the Marquis lowered his voice and asked him a question.

“Young Lord, how would you feel if you lost control over yourself?”

“…….”

“I didn’t know much about omegas. The population of the omegas has significantly diminished since our fathers’ generation, and finding one was nothing short of luck. So I want to cherish her even more. But my father insisted that omegas were harmful beings. He told me to stay away from them. He even added that I should never imprint on my omega.”

He seemed to pause to gather his thoughts so Ian waited.

“I became afraid after hearing my father’s words.”

“What do you mean?”

“I couldn’t control myself. When my omega was pregnant, I gave her everything. I pondered what I would have given if I were to have imprinted on her, too. And there is only one answer.”

Ian seemed to understand even before the Marquis finished speaking.

“I felt like I would give my life to my omega if I were to imprint on her. Once that thought occurred, I was suddenly overcome with fear. I asked myself, ‘Is it right to love that woman so much, to the point that I would even sacrifice my life?’”

“…….”

Marquis Ovando’s words made Ian swallow hard. Unable to fully accept it in his heart despite understanding it all, he couldn’t find the words to respond.

“That’s why, Young Lord, please keep a reasonable distance from your omega and control yourself. Even if your omega tempts you, it would be better to repay her with material goods and not with genuine love.”

Listening quietly to his advice, Ian asked what he had been curious about.

“Then, how about now? Are you still unable to control yourself around your omega?”

He was curious about the Marquis’s current experience, more so than the words of his father or the alphas of his generation, who had already experienced it long ago.

“…I’m not sure what pheromones or instincts are made of, but I have improved more than before.”

The Marquis added with a smirk.

“Just the fact that I held the banquet should be proof enough that I can distance myself from my omega. I wouldn’t have left her side if I was still the same as I was in the past.”

* * *

After seeing the baby at the main house, Ian said his farewells to the Marquis and looked for his carriage home. There, he noticed Monica and couldn’t hide his displeasure. He recalled her erratic behavior since the party.

“Ian!”

“I told you not to call my name.”

“…I, I just want to apologize.”

Unmoved by her attitude, Ian tried to get on the carriage. The coachman fumbled around Monica before quickly getting onto his seat. Monica desperately grabbed Ian’s arm as he ignored her.

“I’m sorry, okay? I’m really sorry.”

Shedding tears that were not visible at the banquet hall, she kept repeating her apologies. He just stared at her, with an expression of disgust at Monica’s tears.

To be precise, he was tired of seeing tears shed by women. He hated the sight of them crying like fragile flower petals, or crying and screaming, or even the sight of his mother crying as though she had lost her mind.

So, whenever Monica cried before, he quickly tried to console her to stop the tears. Because he didn’t want to see it.

But with Melissa… Why didn’t he dislike her tears? Was this also his instinct as an alpha?

Pushing aside the curiosity that cannot be answered, he asked.

“What are you sorry for?”

Ian had been consistently ignoring her until now, but as he now addressed her and asked, Monica hesitated before speaking.

“Everything— Just everything. I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

“Then, are you saying you’re admitting your mistakes?”

“…Uh? Ah, yes!”

It wasn’t the response she had hoped for, but Monica simply accepted Ian’s words unconditionally. She didn’t know when another opportunity would come if she let this one slip away.

“Then, you admit to the fact that you fed me a cheap rut inducer. I shall write a formal complaint and send it to the Rosewood County. Once the Count asks you about it, answer him properly.”

Monica sensed that something was off in cold icy words.

“…Ian, you’re truly not going to forgive me?”

“I’ll consider it after the official statement.”

“Ian!”