We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 95

After returning to the Duchy, I immediately headed to the bedroom.

Craving even the slightest remnant of his pheromones, I got into bed without bothering to change my clothes. I felt guilty for having encountered another alpha’s pheromones but simultaneously longed for Ian.

While covered with the blanket, I tried to seek out his scent when suddenly, I remembered something he had said.

“Henry!”

“Yes, Madam?”

“That, there was something the Young Lord entrusted to you before leaving…”

“Ah!”

Ian had mentioned that he left something with Henry for me, should I need it. Unsure of what it was, I knew I needed it right then. I was desperate for anything that carried my alpha’s mark.

“Just a moment, please.”

Henry seemed to dash off to the main house. After some time, he returned with a small box.

“The Young Lord said to give this to you if you seemed to be having a hard time.”

“Thank you.”

I opened the box eagerly, then Ian’s pheromones immediately hit my nose. The scent was so precious that I hesitated to let it dissipate, but I couldn’t bring myself to close the box either.

I reached inside with trembling hands and grasped the item. It was a soft silk handkerchief, elegantly embroidered with Ian’s name. The handkerchief was saturated with his scent.

I rushed to press it against my nose, ignoring Henry and the maid’s presence and closed my eyes to savor his pheromones.

Ah, the deep and refreshing scent was unmistakably my alpha’s.

“Huuh, ha…”

Like drinking from the water of life, I greedily inhaled every bit of his scent into my lungs and tears rolled down my cheeks. The longing for Ian became unbearable.

If Ian were here, I’d muster the courage to ask him.

Would he change his mind after childbirth, like other alphas? Would he stop casually touching my feet, or even holding my hand? I wished he’d warn me, so I could prepare myself. It would hurt less than being pushed off a cliff without warning.

Lost in his scent, suddenly my stomach ached.

“Ugh.”

“Madam?”

As I entered my seventh month of pregnancy, the baby began to move more. Assuming it was just a kick, I held the handkerchief in one hand and gently rubbed my belly with the other, softly tapping it, hoping to calm the baby. But suddenly, my stomach convulsed with a ripping pain, and I widened my eyes in agony.

“Aah!”

“Madam!”

Henry turned pale and approached me at my unusual reaction, while one of the maids ran out to call the doctor.

A sensation surged up my throat, and Ian’s once fragrant pheromones were quickly overwhelmed by a bitter smell. With trembling hands, I removed the handkerchief from my nose and mouth. The once pristine fabric was now stained with dark, red blood.

“Madam!”

Henry screamed in horror seeing it. The door burst open and the doctor rushed in.

“Ah…”

Staring at the blood-stained handkerchief with a sense of unreality, I tried to turn towards the doctor. I tried to but was unable.

“Aah!”

Red blood that was incomparable to the blood on the handkerchief was spreading across the bed.

I couldn’t believe it. Was all that I was seeing real?

“Ian…”

My body was overpowered by a sense of helplessness, and I could only call out for my beloved alpha.

“Madam!”

The maid running towards me collided with the bedside table. The bright red roses I had received at the Marquisate fell to the floor along with the vase.

Crash! The sharp noise was followed by the scattering of red rose petals on the floor, eerily reminiscent of blood.

After that, I lost consciousness.

* * *

Ian was urging his horse on, managing to wrap up his business more smoothly than anticipated. This meant he could return to his omega earlier than promised. Though he’d likely only arrive by night, slipping in beside his sleeping omega seemed like a pleasant idea.

“Hmm.”

He thought receiving a ‘thank you for your hard work’ greeting would be nice. Would his omega sense his return this time too? The anticipation made the journey home feel less tiresome than usual.

Ian arrived back at the Duchy without rest, but found it odd that no one was there to greet him. He concluded that it was a late hour and he didn’t give them a notice in advance.

He lightly jumped down from his horse.

“Everyone has worked hard. Take a 3-day break.”

“Thank you!”

As Ian was about to quietly enter the mansion, he turned sharply at the knights’ robust response. Placing a finger to his lips, he cast a stern look at them, telling them to keep their silence.

“Yes…”

The knights responded in a whisper and saluted him. It was a sign of respect and reverence for their commander who had ensured their safe return.

Ian halted for a moment, initially intent on heading straight to the annex where his omega resided. He was covered in dust from head to toe after the journey, so he decided it was best to clean up before going to the annex to tightly embrace his omega in sleep. He moved towards his room.

No matter how late it was, the quiet mansion was unusual.

“Is it so quiet because Henry isn’t around?”

Since he hadn’t required assistance from anyone, Ian opted not to call for a servant and washed up by himself. He was eager to return to Melissa as soon as possible.

A smile crept across his face as he washed. The thought of Melissa greeting him, who had returned earlier than expected, vividly filled his mind.