A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father - Chapter 1

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 1 Prologue

“Let’s get married.”

I stared blankly at the man before me.

Silver hair that shimmered like silk thread, and beneath his coolly swept bangs, a serene forehead was revealed. Below that sat crimson eyes.

Was it thanks to the sunlight streaming into the Garden?

Today, his unrealistically handsome face caught my attention, but now wasn’t the time to worry about such things.

What did I just hear?

“Pardon?”

At my reflexive question, Cain narrowed his eyes.

Though his expression was generally emotionless, today it was particularly difficult to read his thoughts.

“I don’t understand why you’re surprised. Didn’t you say so yourself? That you wanted a contract marriage.”

…So it was true that I had said such a thing.

This place was the world inside some child-rearing novel.

To safely protect my daughter Melody and my own life, I was in a situation where I absolutely had to get married somehow.

But that didn’t mean I was asking the Duke to marry me!

“W-wait a moment, Your Grace. It’s true that I need a contract marriage, but still, this is…!”

Cain was the head of the Ashern Duchy, whose wealth and power rivaled that of the Imperial Family.

Befitting his role as the father figure in a child-rearing story, he possessed inhuman beauty.

Though he was said to have personality flaws due to inheriting dragon blood… Still, he was the empire’s most eligible bachelor.

And what about me?

In high society, I was nothing more than an unwed mother abandoned by a man, raising a child alone.

Though it was merely acting due to circumstances, that’s how it appeared to the outside world.

‘If we have a contract marriage, we’ll divorce someday…’

Even if I was prepared for it, I didn’t want to remain as a blemish on Cain’s life.

I was already deeply indebted to him, so I couldn’t do that.

With my conscience pricking me, I cried out desperately.

“There’s no need for Your Grace to sacrifice yourself…! Since it’s my problem, I’ll somehow find someone else-!”

But at that moment, a complex emotion flickered across Cain’s previously impassive face.

Was he angry? Or perhaps disappointed?

Frowning, he watched me with sunken eyes.

“Rather, I’d like to ask you something.”

“…”

“The person who contracted to protect you and Melody is right here before your eyes, yet you want to marry some other guy?”

I didn’t hear that marriage was included in that contract.

Though the words rose to my throat, I pressed my lips shut at his piercing gaze.

Cain stepped closer and asked.

“I don’t understand. Am I insufficient as a contract husband? Perhaps I don’t meet your standards?”

No. That can’t be. Far from insufficient, you’re far too much…

I reflexively shook my head.

Then his lips relaxed slightly.

“Then have I failed to earn your trust all this time?”

You’ve given me more than enough…

Just as I was about to nod in agreement, I came to my senses with a start.

“That’s not it, but still, marriage is a different matter…!”

“I’ll cherish both you and the child. So, Viola.”

He gripped my hand tightly while maintaining persistent eye contact and whispered.

“Marry me.”

His sweet, low voice somehow made my throat feel dry.

“You mean a contract marriage… right?”

Instead of answering, Cain simply curled his smooth lips into a deep smile.

How did it come to this?

I recalled the events from a few months ago.

* * *

“Miss Viola, are you there?”

“Oh, yes! Just a moment!”

At the call from outside, I hurriedly opened the Apothecary door.

Phew. Today I really don’t have a moment to breathe.

Grinding medicine, making ointments, organizing. Busy, so busy.

The Rural Village’s only Apothecary and clinic had quite a lot to do.

Of course, I couldn’t skip buying necessary supplies from the herb gatherer either.

“You’re early today? Thank you for always coming all this way! It must be troublesome.”

“Ahaha. I’m just stopping by on my way through.”

James scratched his nose bridge sheepishly and laughed. On his way through, my foot. It was an obvious lie.

‘He’s such an honest person.’

Of course, it wasn’t just James—all the people in Heiron village were like that.

That’s probably why Melody and I adapted so well, right?

‘Come to think of it, it’s already been over a year since we settled here.’

Actually, I had many worries.

Rural life was new to me, and outwardly, I was an unwed mother.

‘Honestly, I was worried from the start about whether I could raise a three-year-old properly…’

But rather than rejecting us outsiders, the villagers took care of us attentively.

Thanks to them, I was able to open this small Apothecary and live well.

Just as I was smiling contentedly, James placed a bundle of herbs on the table.

“Will the herbs we discussed yesterday be enough?”

“Yes, yes! Please give me those!”

As I received the herbs James offered and organized them in order, a sigh escaped me.

“Oh, right! Do you happen to have any pointed-leaf grass? I’m almost out of what I bought.”

“That won’t be available for a while…”

“What? Pointed-leaf grass? Why not?”

“Some high-ranking person seems to be buying it up in bulk, paying extra. So even the herb gatherers from the Neighboring Village came and swept it all away.”

My goodness. My eyes widened without realizing it.

“That’s really strange.”

Of all things, why that particular herb? Though it was mild enough for children to use, its effects were correspondingly weak.

James shrugged as if it were no big deal, but I had a strange feeling.

‘Something’s suspicious.’

Though it was hardly known, I knew one hidden property of pointed-leaf grass.

…Could it be?

For a moment, a certain Aristocratic Family came to mind, but I soon shook my head.

‘No. What’s the point of thinking about it? I’m no longer a noble lady or anything anyway.’

I’d been expelled from my family long ago. Since I wouldn’t have any dealings with nobles now, there was no need to worry about it.

“By the way, Miss Viola.”

“Yes?”

“Did you hear about the festival in the Lower Village?”

A festival. At this welcome topic, my thoughts instantly flew away.

“Of course I heard! I was just thinking about going with Melody.”

“Ahem, ahem. Perhaps you and I could go together, just the two of us-“

“Waaaah!”

That was the moment. Melody, who had been quietly waiting for the herb transaction, suddenly started running around us in circles.

Oh my. She must have been bored.

“Melody~ You can’t run!”

“Woo.”

“Hey now. It’s dangerous to run in the apothecary. Let’s go out and play together later.”

“Woo.”

When I deliberately used a stern voice, Melody drooped her shoulders dejectedly.

Chuckle chuckle. Laughter spilled out. She always acts all grown up, but she’s really just a child.

Just as I was about to pull the pouting Melody into a hug, I belatedly remembered that James had been saying something.

“Oh right, I’m sorry! I didn’t hear you. Could you tell me again?”

“Ah, well!”

James, who had been frozen in a daze, startled and opened his mouth again, but once more I couldn’t hear his words to the end.

“You and I together at the festival-“

“Mama!”

It was because Melody had buried herself in my arms and was rubbing her face against me.

“Hm? What’s wrong.”

“Woo woo, Mama…”

The child made a tearful face and pointed toward the kitchen, jabbing with her finger. No way?

“Are you hungry already?”

“Woo woo!”

I thought I fed her a hearty lunch. As expected, children’s digestion is something else.

“James, I’m sorry. Our conversation keeps getting interrupted.”

“Ah, well-“

Mama. As soon as signs appeared that the conversation would start again, Melody began whining.

“What should I do? Melody keeps being fussy today for some reason. Let’s finish our conversation next time! Thank you again today!”

When I hurriedly paid, James turned around with a dejected face. His trudging walk looked somehow deflated.

“Hehehe.”

“What’s with that suspicious laugh.”

“Woo woo!”

Melody shrugged as if she didn’t know what I was talking about.

Then with a “heave-ho!” she jumped down from my arms.

Following the child to the kitchen, I began slicing the bread I’d bought this morning with a rustling sound.

“What kind of snack should I make you? Bread with grape jam? Or should I put cheese on it and cut the ham into flower shapes?”

I may not look it, but I’m confident in decorating food prettily. It was a skill I naturally acquired for Melody, who eats as cutely as a hamster.

“Woo!”

But Melody, who had been saying she was hungry just moments ago, suddenly shrugged her shoulders and shook her head.

“Huh? You just said you were hungry.”

“Woo woo.”

The child patted her belly as if she was full. Why is she acting like this today? Earlier when James was here too.

I was puzzled by her sudden change of mood.

“Ah.”

A stinging sensation spread through my finger as if I’d cut myself on the knife.

‘Ugh. Today really is a strange day.’

How old am I to be making mistakes like this.

“Mama?”

“I cut myself a little. It’s okay. It’ll heal quickly if I put medicine on it!”

Smiling awkwardly, I sneakily glanced at Melody. Ugh. As expected.

Melody had a despairing face as if the world had collapsed.

It’s really okay though!

I’d always been the type to heal well from injuries. Strangely, even when I got badly hurt as a child, I never had a single scar left behind.

However, Melody seemed to think differently and grabbed my finger tightly while sniffling.

At the same time, she blew on my wound.

But then.

Whoosh-

A golden aura spread out from Melody and soon enveloped my hand. The scar disappeared in an instant.

My body froze at the unbelievable sight.

“Huh…? Holy power?”

It wasn’t even an ordinary level either. If she could heal wounds instantly, that meant it was quite strong.

But why does our Melody have this?

I stared at Melody in shock, but the child herself had rabbit eyes as if she was even more surprised.

Just like someone who had been caught with something that should never have been discovered.

That was the exact moment.

Ugh!

A sudden intense headache struck, and memories from my past life flowed into my mind.

“Mother?”

Melody called out to me, but I was in no state of mind to answer.

It was because an intense truth had taken over my head.

Rule 1 of Child-rearing Stories: The female protagonist’s mother always dies early in the novel.

This place is inside a child-rearing novel I read in my past life.

The protagonist is none other than Melody.

Which means… I’m the mother of the female protagonist in a child-rearing story.

What the heck, please save me!

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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