We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 80

Certainly, what Monica did was wrong, but her words were not entirely incorrect. If a noble family couldn’t marry off their daughter, it was the family that suffered the loss.

The only way to recoup the money spent on raising a daughter was through marriage, and preferably with a higher-ranking noble. Monica, who had been banned from going out for about a week, wasted no time in going out once the period was over. She fervently attended tea parties with close friends and social gatherings, expressing her grievances.

At the same time, Lewis took Alex and headed to Duchy Bryant. Regardless of the outcome, he realized that if he didn’t apologize properly this time, he couldn’t predict what obstacles might come their way in the future.

In fact, Lewis keenly felt the power of Duchy Bryant. Even after looking at the entire capital, there was no one who would step forward for County Rosewood.

After a few months, as impatience and fear grew, Lewis remembered how audaciously he had confronted the Duchy. At that time, he didn’t see anything, but in case there was retaliation, he tried his best not to be noticeable in Ian’s eyes.

During this time, many thoughts crossed his mind. If only he had been born as an alpha like his father, he might not have faced such adversity. He deeply regretted it, but thought that the opportunity would never come…..

“Alex, we didn’t know why Monica did that.”

Lewis spoke inside the carriage heading to the duchy. Alex, too, agreed with his father’s words.

“How could Monica, a beta female, understand? She only knows Grandfather and Ian as alphas.”

“Exactly. There’s no way for her to know the implicit boundaries that only men are supposed to keep.”

“Yes, if you explain it well to Ian, he will understand and accept it as before. In fact, isn’t Ian our real family? Grandfather brought her here, thinking of Ian, when he was young.”

“That’s right! Exactly! Even though he’s an alpha, his father was quite kind.”

Betas used to gossip that omegas were vulgar and alphas lacked humanity. The two of them chatted about things they knew among themselves while heading to the Duchy. Meanwhile, Monica was once again at Marquisate Ovando.

She came seeking an ally who could understand her the best, thinking that even her family couldn’t understand her.

“Oh my? Lady Rosewood?”

“Marchioness.”

“How did someone who knows dignity well like Lady Rosewood come here without any prior notice?”

Just a year ago, she could be considered close friends. But now, she received condescension from the Marchioness, making a fire flare up inside her. However, against someone in the position of Marchioness, she couldn’t behave recklessly. Now, the only person she could rely on was the Marchioness.

“Please, think about the past and help me, Marchioness.”

Having known Monica’s personality, the Marchioness became curious. She had a feeling that something interesting was about to happen.

* * *

Ian and Melissa were strolling through the garden. They decided to come out during the warm daytime at the doctor’s suggestion, saying that a walk would be good.

Melissa, who initially planned to take a walk alone, couldn’t hide her smile when she saw Ian coming to accompany her.

“Is it that enjoyable?”

“Being in the room all day during the day is too boring.”

“You weren’t particularly fond of walking around before you got pregnant.”

“…”

She thought that Ian would not know much about her life because her previous annex was quite far from the main building. Melissa’s heart unexpectedly softened at his words.

Feeling both pleased and embarrassed, she absentmindedly stroked her belly and spoke to the baby.

“Baby, you moved around a lot.”

“…Are you talking to the baby right now?”

Ian asked, puzzled by her actions. Melissa was afraid of getting scolded for imitating something from a book that nobles hadn’t read.

“I’m sorry…”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“There might be pregnancy care unique to noble families, and I don’t know it well.”

“Hmm, is there such a thing?”

Ian, too, had no memory of anything related to pregnancy care. While gently rubbing Melissa’s back of the hand with his thumb, he called Henry, who was nearby.

“Is there a unique pregnancy care method in our family?”

“I shouldn’t expect the Young Lord to know. In fact, pregnancy care is more of the Mistress’ role.”

Ian suddenly became curious about his father’s approach. Despite scolding his mother, he hadn’t taken a separate wife. A Duke with a son but no wife, a truly amusing family tree. Ian inwardly sneered.

At that moment, Henry said to Ian.

“Oh! Come to think of it, when you were in Lady Nicola’s womb, she attended many concerts. I think she mentioned that music is good for the baby…”

“Really?”

“It seems like it wouldn’t be wrong to say that seeing you now, Young Lord.”

Henry added jokingly and said with a smile.

“But alphas are great beings from birth, aren’t they? I’m sure the Young Lord’s child will be outstanding too.”

He felt uncomfortable when he heard such praise, as if alphas were considered god-like beings, making it burdensome.

Melissa then touched his fingertips. Ian, who had calluses from holding a sword and a pen for a long time, looked at her for a moment as she gently touched the rough skin.

Her gentle pheromones, though weak, enveloped him soothingly, as if saying, ‘I know your efforts’. The words seemed to momentarily choke him.

He shifted his paused steps, firmly holding the hand of his omega and releasing pheromones as if hugging and comforting her. It felt like he was enclosing her with pheromones, creating a solid roof for her.

In response, Melissa brightened into a warm smile. Her face, lit up by the pheromones, made it impossible for him to take his eyes off her.

For the first time, Ian discovered the charm of a walk. He wondered why she enjoyed such a simple act, but with her by his side, the walks he had experienced so far seemed like nothing.