We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 86

“Anyway, the Count will be crippled. You can naturally inherit the title. And publicly, you should announce it like this: outwardly, it was a carriage accident, but behind the scenes you say, ‘He tried to commit suicide by drinking and throwing himself, but barely survived.’ Do you understand me?”

“……Yes.”

“In the end, there’s no loss to you. You’re the type who always weighs the profits and losses first.”

Ian knew Alex’s personality well. In fact, he found it amusing that Alex had become a knight. Alex could have been better off in business. If he had pursued that path, the County would have been even more rich now.

* * *

While receiving a diagnosis from the doctor, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. I feared that something might have happened to the baby. I anxiously awaited the diagnosis to be over.

“Phew, fortunately, there is no major issue.”

“Aahh… “

As a sense of relief washed over me, my body suddenly felt weak.

“Madam!”

“I will put a pillow on your back.”

After receiving the maids’ assistance, I sat up against the bed. The doctor also looked relieved and added a few more words.

“Since you’re already entering the stable phase, it should be fine. Besides, it’s the Young Lord’s bloodline? Don’t worry, resting well is better for the baby inside your womb.”

“Thank you.”

As I heard the answers I had hoped for, my tensed body belatedly expressed discomfort. The physician examined my body with his eyes and asked a few more questions.

“Is your morning sickness still severe?”

“Um… it seems to have improved recently. I’m still eating only what I’ve been able to manage, though.”

“Hmm, how about trying beef stew for dinner tonight? Slowly introducing meat to your diet would be good for a swift recovery.”

“…I’ll discuss it with the Young Lord when he arrives.”

“Very well, I understand. I’ll take my leave now.”

After the doctor left, I was left in thought. The truth in Brother’s words was unsettling. His crazed eyes made it sound as if Monica had indeed given Ian a heat inducer. Urging him to impregnate me quickly.

I was too shocked to fully grasp the situation. Although I still felt uneasy about Brother, I had trouble making sense of the context. But something felt odd now.

Why would Monica do this?

If I knew Monica, she would have made an effort to stay by his side.

“What does that have to do with the heat inducer?”

…Could it be that she wants me to have a child and leave Ian quickly?

Despite the happiness of our days recently, I had forgotten that we were in a contract marriage. We had a set deadline.

Ian had treated me so well that I had forgotten all about it. But…

“That doesn’t mean I can give up so easily.”

I had already imprinted on him beyond just love. Now, he was an essential part of my life. Without him, I might as well be dead. If we stay apart, what would my future be?

The idea that my sanity would collapse loomed in my mind. I lay there thinking, without eating anything. When I looked outside, I noticed that the sun had already set.

I had expected Ian to return by now, but I still hadn’t heard any news. It got me worried. Could something really have gone terribly wrong with Brother?

I didn’t have the slightest worry about Brother. I had no desire to ever encounter that devil. However, if Brother died, it would be troublesome for Ian. I got up from the bed and headed to the balcony.

The maids who were waiting in the bedroom were surprised and approached.

“Madam, the evening is chilly.”

“You’ve been through a lot today, wouldn’t it be better to rest more?”

“A shawl, please.”

“Yes, madam.”

I put on a soft shawl and went out onto the balcony. No matter what Ian said, I would continue waiting for him here.

I couldn’t change his past, but I could embrace him now. That role was something I wanted for myself alone.

For the first time, I felt this way. I didn’t want to return my alpha to Monica. No, he wasn’t hers to begin with.

* * *

Time seemed to pass well even when there was nothing to do. Now, at seven months pregnant, I wrapped myself in a thick cloak and went for a walk.

Ian had been staying by my side excessively since that day. It was not his fault….that something happened while he briefly left.

But I hadn’t rejected his kindness. Even though I could say that it wasn’t his fault, I didn’t.

As long as I could receive his attention, it seemed like I didn’t care what others might say.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Yes?”

Ian responded with a comfortable smile, and his eyes curled in a way that, while not as pronounced as a crescent moon, still resembled it somewhat. Seeing him smile like that, I couldn’t help but smile in return.

“I’ve been curious about something.”

“What is it?”

“Young Lord, how do you know my thoughts so well?”

Instead, Ian blinked his eyes in surprise, and his head tilted slightly, giving an unexpected reaction. I had expected him to casually say something like ‘it’s all written on your face,’ so I was surprised by his unexpected reaction.

“…..Um, I don’t really know.”

“Why not?”

“Well, I just felt that way.”

“Come on, what’s that supposed to mean?”

I grumbled at his rather lukewarm answer. Ian gave a soft smile. He tightened his grip on my hand and resumed walking.

The garden where we took our walk had transitioned into winter, so it looked desolate, but it had its own charm. We continued to walk along the path lined with evergreen trees. I saw the shadows of the two of us. As he seemed to match my pace, our shadows looked like one body.

Ian suddenly spoke.

“Let’s take a break.”

“So soon?”

“No matter how much you need exercise, taking breaks from time to time is important.”

I nodded to his words, and Ian signaled to a maid who had been following us. At the edge of the path beside the evergreen trees, there was a small building I had never seen before.

The tea room with an emerald-green roof looked cozy and warm.