We're in a Contract Marriage, But I've Imprinted - Chapter 99
“When did they become so close?”
Ian mused, never having restricted his mother’s movements by his father’s wishes. Despite his disdain, he had instructed that she be given as much as she wanted.
Considering it the last courtesy to the woman who gave birth to him, he never monitored or oppressed her. He merely ignored her presence.
Bang-.
His lingering anger manifested as he slammed his fist on the mahogany desk. It caused a sinister creaking sound as the wood twisted under the force.
“Excuse me.”
Henry entered following a knock, accompanied by the doctor and two maids who had managed to recover parts of the rose bouquet. Ian directed the doctor first.
“Analyze these petals.”
“Yes.”
“And you two, describe in detail the appearance of the servant you saw earlier.”
One of the maids slowly began to speak under Ian’s commander.
“He had a rather gloomy appearance. His hair and eyes seemed to be a similar shade of brown. And…”
She remembered a peculiar detail.
“His walk… it was very disciplined, almost like a knight’s.”
“Alright.”
Ian meticulously recorded every detail provided by the maid onto a letter, sealed it carefully, and stamped it with the Duchy’s seal before handing it to Henry.
“Henry, deliver this letter to Marquis Ovando immediately.”
“Yes, understood.”
As Henry departed, one of the maids hesitated before speaking up.
“Young Lord, if I may be so bold, the Madam encountered trouble at the Marquisate. Is it wise to inform the Marquis?”
If Henry were present, he might have rebuked her for daring to question their lord’s command, but with no one to intervene, her concern hung in the air.
Ian fixed a stern gaze on her. She shrunk back under the gaze.
“I… I apologize.”
“No, it’s a valid concern.”
Ian surprisingly conceded, catching the attention of everyone remaining in the room. He didn’t elaborate further.
Betas could never fully comprehend certain things. Even if relations between alphas were strained, they would never interfere with each other’s heirs.
To tamper with another alpha’s heir was akin to declaring war on that lineage.
Furthermore, Marquis Ovando, having recently fathered a child, would have no reason to engage in such actions. Both omegas and alphas develop a fierce protectiveness over their offspring after birth.
Though this protective instinct is somewhat akin to the limited obsession period, it differs in what was usually in Omega. It’s not only their own offspring they cherish but extends to all young ones, driven by instinct.
Therefore, Marquis Ovando couldn’t possibly be behind this. In fact, Ian had someone much more suspicious in mind already present at the scene. He decided to pin Monica as the culprit while gathering evidence against her, as well as tracking the Marchioness’ movements as well.
“Young Lord, it indeed wasn’t a poison to be ingested but a powder to be inhaled.”
The doctor reported after finding rose petals with traces of poison powder, albeit few. He scraped off the powder into a medical tool.
“…It’s not only poison, but a mix of drugs to aphrodisiacs, all jumbled together. It’s difficult to create an antidote for such a mixture. This is the kind of method you’d expect from the darkest alleys, not something to be used by noble houses.”
Normally composed, the doctor raised his voice in rare anger. At that moment, the desk cracked. Ian, who had put his hand on the desk, couldn’t control his fury.
“Ha.”
Ian slowly stood up and ordered the doctor.
“Remove all traces of poison from my omega’s body. You have one day.”
“….yes.”
After his cold command, he warned the maids as well.
“If anything happens to my heir, consider your lives forfeit.”
“….hiick, yes!”
With that, he set out to confront the person responsible for the mess. Instead of the usual annex he visited daily, he headed to a different location that was brightly lit despite the late hour.
Bang!
The door closed harshly behind him, and footsteps echoed from above.
“…Ian?”
He couldn’t remember how long since he had gone to see his mother on his own. Ever since the abuse, he had kept his distance.
The surprised Nicola could only blink rapidly, unable to go down the stairs as she watched him.
“Why must you touch my child to be satisfied?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Why did you take Melissa away? Especially when I was not around!”
Nicola was unaware of Melissa’s condition. Instead, she found herself more inconvenienced by Melissa’s rude departure from the middle of the tea party.
“What’s the big deal about going out? It’s normal to get some fresh air once in a while.”
“That’s the point!”
Ian’s voice that was filled with fury, echoed through the annex. He quickly climbed the stairs and glared at his mother.
“Why make decisions on your own? Acting above your place as a commoner.”
“…”
“Living off this household, yet you dare to involve my omega.”
His words were almost growled out, a stark departure from his usual precise enunciation and refined nuances.
He felt as though fire had been lit inside him and ice rained down in his mind simultaneously. It was a perfect blend of instinct and reason as he stopped right in front of his mother who couldn’t say anything.
He had never been this close to his mother before. Now, he felt a mix of revulsion and alienation towards her ageless presence.
“….Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? Is there something wrong with that child?”
Only then did Nicola sense that the situation had taken an unusual turn. She should have realized something was wrong the moment her son came looking for her, but it was too late.
“Why? Everything was fine until just now. Did she throw up what she ate?”
Nicola’s concern for Melissa was genuine, but Ian found her demeanor incredibly pretentious.
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