We're in a Contract Marriage, But I've Imprinted - Chapter 81
The two people, who were peacefully enjoying their time, were abruptly interrupted by a knight approaching from a distance.
“Young Lord! Excuse me for a moment.”
“What’s the matter?”
Ian couldn’t hide his discomfort having their intimate time disturbed. The unfamiliar reaction from Ian surprised the nearby servants.
“Well, Count Rosewood and Sir Alex have arrived at the main gate. We tried to send them away, but they insisted, so…”
Ian furrowed his brows, scanning the approaching knight. Judging by appearances, he seemed to be a recent addition to the knights. Ian decided to let it slide this time.
“Let them in.”
“Ah, yes!”
As the knight hurried away, Ian spoke, holding Melissa’s hand.
“I’ll take you back.”
“Aren’t you supposed to go straight there?”
“They came without an appointment anyway. It doesn’t matter if they have to wait.”
“Well, I’d like to continue the walk a bit more.”
In reality, Melissa felt disappointed that the walk was ending too quickly. She didn’t want this precious time to get cut in such a way.
“…will you be alone?”
“I’ll just rest a bit more inside the garden before going in.”
Ian showed a displeased expression at her words.
“Then, stay with me and come out again later.”
“…What?”
“After all, they’re not strangers to you.”
Although they were considered family, they weren’t truly family. However, she had no choice but to follow him as she was already walking. An omega who rejected an offer from their imprinted alpha was unheard of in any world.
In front of the main entrance of the main house, a familiar carriage could be seen, and right on time, Lewis and Alex were getting off. The moment Melissa saw their faces, tension filled her.
With the thought that Monica might also be present, Melissa found it challenging to regulate her pheromones due to jealousy.
At that moment, Ian stopped walking.
“…Then, wait in the garden right in front of the main building.”
“What?”
“I’ll be back soon, so sit on that bench over there.”
Ian pointed to a location very close to the main building. There were small trees lined up, and it had a small fountain.
“I will.”
“Alright, I’ll be back.”
“Yes, I’ll wait.”
He hesitated for a moment at Melissa’s farewell, then let go of her hand. Ian grasped and released his empty hand, feeling a sense of emptiness, as if a presence that should have been by his side had been divided in half.
Putting aside the regret, he headed towards the main building.
Lewis and Alex were flustered as Ian went inside without a greeting but this time, they couldn’t make a big fuss like before.
Before entering the mansion, Lewis glanced briefly at Melissa. It was clear that Ian and Melissa had walked affectionately from a distance. Lewis, who had thought Melissa would live a miserable life, felt a twinge in his stomach as it seemed she was living well and eating well.
“Tsk.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if she could help a bit with his family affairs? That’s why illegitimate children are something to be cast aside. They are an insolent bunch who act as if they don’t know a bit of gratitude.
“Count, it’s been a while.”
Henry approached Lewis, who was standing still, staring at Melissa. Like an experienced butler, he blocked Lewis’s gaze.
“Wouldn’t it be better for you to go inside? The Master probably can’t spare much time.”
“…Sure.”
“Father, let’s go inside quickly.”
Lewis felt a sense of humiliation as even the servants seemed to mock him. Swearing to never forget this day, he followed another servant’s guidance and entered the reception room.
There, Ian was sitting with his legs crossed. In the sunlit space, Ian’s cold face while sitting made him look like sculpture. If there were sculptures given by God, wouldn’t Ian Von Bryant, the only extreme dominant alpha, be the most fitting?
“It has been a while, Young Lord.”
Lewis first pretended to bow down. Alex also bowed his waist following his father and apologized.
“I have something important to convey, so despite knowing it’s an intrusion, I came. I apologize.”
Ian paid little attention to their attitudes, which were different from before. He only thought about his omega, who had just been afraid. Why did Melissa react that way? Hadn’t he seen enough? But why was his heart pounding like this? Why did he want to tear them apart and kill them?
Alex felt a momentary surge of murderous intent and flinched. When he looked up in surprise, he met Ian’s eyes that were shining with an animalistic glare. Startled by fear, he unknowingly stepped back.
“Well, if this is a waste of my time, I’ll make it a proper example this time.”
In Ian’s cold words, like the northwest wind in winter, Lewis and Alex tensed up. Faced with a presence stronger than themselves, they felt a sense of humiliation that made it impossible to even breathe properly.
However, paradoxically, in order to avoid further humiliation, they had to admit their faults. Whether it was an excuse or an apology, something needed to be brought forth.
Lewis recounted the conversation he had with Alex to Ian.
* * *
After finishing the talk, Lewis left first. Alex begged Ian for more time, but Lewis couldn’t bear the suffocating atmosphere.
“Darn it, spewing such murderous intent. Such humiliation…”
He thought that if he apologized, Ian would accept it with a slightly annoyed expression, just like before. However, it was a naive thought.
Ian was angrier than he thought.
He wanted to curse, but he couldn’t do it recklessly. So, he felt more irritated, and the anger seemed to grow like an endless chain.
At that moment, Melissa caught his eye. Confirming that Henry was not around, he quickly approached her.
“You shouldn’t come closer!”
A young maid, who had been helping at her side, tried to stop Lewis, but he couldn’t be stopped after feeling humiliated multiple times.
“Now, how dare a maid like you stop the Count!”
At the mention of the title ‘Count,’ the young maid became frightened. Melissa focused her gaze on the maid and quietly assigned a task.
“I feel like having iced tea with lemon. Can you bring it?”
“But…”
“You can quickly go and come back, right?”
The maid, who belatedly understood Melissa’s gaze, hurriedly ran off.
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