A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father - Chapter 10

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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 10

Going back 5 minutes.

On the way to Jayden with Conrad.

“I’m sorry, young master.”

I heard continuous apologizing sounds, and then an elderly maid was driven out into the corridor, completely hunched over.

On the tray in her hands was food. A clear soup that looked like patient food.

‘Is that where Jayden is?’

There’s only one patient in this manor after all. But the food looked completely cold, as if it hadn’t been touched at all.

“Please wait a moment, Lady Viola. I’ll go assess the situation.”

Conrad approached the tearful maid and had a brief conversation with her.

“What’s the matter? Where is the dedicated maid?”

“Ah, well…”

After standing at a distance for a while, Conrad returned and pushed up his glasses with a troubled expression.

“Has some problem occurred?”

“I’m terribly sorry. It would be better if you came back tomorrow. The young master seems very sensitive today.”

Conrad’s explanation was as follows.

Perhaps because he had thought of it as an incurable disease, Jayden strangely disliked doctors, pharmacists, and the like.

But on days when his body was particularly unwell, that tendency became excessively severe.

Only maids who had served him since he was very young could even approach him.

“On days like this, he even throws tantrums… Lady Viola could get hurt. His Grace also gave us strict instructions about this.”

“Ah…”

“Since you’ve come all this way, I wanted to at least introduce you to the young master’s dedicated maid, but she’s away from her post right now. I’ll arrange another meeting by tomorrow, so it would be best if you returned for today.”

Conrad spoke with a worried voice.

Hmm. He’s being considerate.

I understood. Jayden had dragon blood, so most conventional treatments were ineffective.

If I went in claiming to treat him and only irritated him unnecessarily, it would surely have a negative impact on both of us.

But while I was grateful for his concern, the more I heard, the more worried I became.

‘From what I saw earlier, it looked like he skipped his meal too.’

Being particularly sensitive today ultimately meant his body was in too much pain right now…

I didn’t want to retreat obediently like this.

“Would it be alright if I checked on him myself?”

“It could be dangerous, so I recommend returning today.”

“But he’ll need treatment eventually.”

I spoke in a more firm tone than usual.

Jayden probably didn’t refuse treatment from the beginning either.

It’s just that his body was in pain but he couldn’t see any noticeable improvement, so he gradually became emotionally exhausted.

Originally, refusing treatment didn’t mean wanting to be in pain.

It was closer to meaning he didn’t want to get hurt emotionally on top of the physical suffering by hoping for more.

‘Knowing that full well, I don’t want to back down.’

Especially not when dealing with a six-year-old child patient.

My sense of duty as a pharmacist, no, my pride as an adult before that, wouldn’t allow it.

When I showed determined eyes, Conrad looked a bit surprised and stunned.

Oh, but did I get too excited?

“A-and besides, that’s my role and responsibility… isn’t it?”

I added carefully after the fact.

“…Now I understand why His Grace entrusted this task to you, Lady Viola. I offer my thanks on behalf of the young master.”

“Pardon?”

When I tilted my head at his puzzling words, Conrad’s lips curved up slightly.

“Never mind. Rather, let’s go in together. I’ll go first just in case.”

* * *

Knock knock.

As soon as we knocked on the door, what we heard was a shout mixed with a metallic voice.

“Get lost! I told you no one should come!”

Conrad answered calmly.

“Young master, I’ve brought the pharmacist.”

“I don’t need one!”

At the unchanged response, Conrad glanced at me once, as if to confirm my resolve.

When I nodded, he turned the doorknob with a calm face as if he had expected this.

“I’m sorry, but I’m coming in.”

“I said get lost!”

Creak.

As soon as the door opened, hot air hit my face.

Ugh.

In one corner of the room, which was covered on all sides with blackout curtains, firewood was blazing in the fireplace as if it were winter. The stuffy, dry air made me gasp for breath.

‘…This is worse than I thought?’

These were the worst possible conditions for a patient to be in.

How could they leave a child like this? No wonder he’s getting sicker.

‘I heard there was definitely a dedicated maid…’

I sighed involuntarily at the stale air. Ventilation should be basic.

It seemed like there was a long road ahead.

But there was a more immediate problem to worry about.

I squinted and surveyed the room.

‘The bed is empty.’

Instead, I could see a small shadow huddled near the sofa in the corner of the room.

“I told you to leave, ugh…”

Hah, hah. Rough breathing burst from the boy’s mouth. His silver hair, which must have once sparkled, was soaked with cold sweat and had faded in color.

Jayden, whom I finally encountered, looked much worse than I had imagined while reading the original work.

The face visible between his disheveled silver hair was bright red as if burning with fever.

“Do you want to die? I told you not to come in!”

Jayden, who had spotted us, staggered to his feet. His unfocused pupils flashed fiercely.

Conrad stepped in front of me protectively and spoke firmly.

“This is Duke’s orders.”

Huh? Was it my imagination? Jayden’s shoulders visibly flinched.

Come to think of it, the original work said Jayden was afraid of Cain.

There was no point in unnecessarily provoking the patient. I hurriedly stopped Conrad.

“Wait, Conrad. I’ll handle-“

But as if my voice didn’t reach him, Conrad continued what he was saying.

“If you refuse the examination, I’ll have no choice but to call His Grace-“

“I said I don’t need it!”

Jayden screamed desperately. The force in his young voice felt like it would tear my eardrums.

“I know my body’s condition best! I said get lost!”

As the child swung his arm, a vase on the side table flew directly toward me and crashed right in front of my feet, shattering into pieces.

Sharp fragments scattered in all directions and rolled up to my feet.

“Lady Viola! Are you alright?”

Conrad turned around in alarm, but I had no time to answer.

Jayden, who had been angrily shouting, turned around, but his back looked precarious. Unable to overcome the high fever, the child finally swayed greatly.

Ugh. The child lost his balance and was about to fall forward. It was exactly in the direction where the broken vase fragments had scattered.

“No!”

My body moved faster than my thoughts. I instinctively threw myself forward and grabbed the child’s shoulder.

“Don’t grab me!”

However, Jayden, momentarily panicked, pushed me away forcefully.

Crack. I heard an ominous sound from somewhere, and when I came to my senses, I had fallen to the floor.

‘What about Jayden?’

I urgently checked on the child’s condition, but fortunately, Jayden seemed to have fallen backward onto the safe rug from the recoil.

Thank goodness.

It would have been terrible if the already sick child had gotten hurt on top of everything.

Just as I was relieved and trying to get up.

“V-Viola!”

Bright red blood was dripping from my left arm that I had used to support myself on the floor, staining the carpet.

“…Uh, uh.”

Jayden turned pale at the sight of blood flowing from my arm. With a face that couldn’t believe what he had done, he could only tremble his lips.

A suffocating silence. And right at that moment.

A cold shadow fell through the open doorway.

“Jayden Asheln. What is the meaning of this?”

The owner of that voice, as cold as a blizzard, was none other than Cain.

* * *

Cain surveyed the chaotic room while struggling to suppress his rising anger.

He had deliberately stayed away so as not to interfere.

But when he rushed over at the sound of screaming, he found this mess.

His brow furrowed involuntarily.

The metallic smell of blood filled the air. Bright red blood dripped down the woman’s white arm from beneath her torn sleeve.

“Conrad. Take her and get her treated first.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Conrad immediately approached Viola as if to support her. Cain slowly turned his head.

Soon his gaze fell upon Jayden, who was trembling with fear. His face, pale with terror, had lost all color.

“…”

This was why he hadn’t wanted to come. Cain swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth.

To him, Jayden was like a ticking time bomb.

Though he knew the sick child needed treatment, his sensitivity made it difficult for anyone to approach him easily. He might behave in front of Cain, but…

In reality, that wasn’t true composure but closer to being paralyzed with fear. Instead of helping him find stability, it only made things worse.

“Explain.”

Cain gestured toward the broken vase fragments and Viola’s bloodied arm as he asked in a low voice. Jayden’s shoulders jumped.

“I-I didn’t do it!”

Jayden belatedly covered his mouth after the words escaped him, but it was already too late.

Ha. Cain let out a bitter laugh as if even more angered, then clearly called his name.

“Jayden Asheln.”

Cain’s increasingly powerful aura seemed ready to overwhelm him completely. Jayden’s face grew paler and paler.

Why, why did it turn out like this? I just… I just didn’t want to receive treatment…

“Dragon blood are ruling beings. They must never show weakness.”

The man’s voice seemed to echo in his ears.

I’m scared. As expected, someone like me isn’t dragon blood.

His breath came in gasps. The closer Cain approached, the more his consciousness grew hazy.

But right at that moment.

“It’s a misunderstanding!”

A clear voice like a nightingale rang throughout the room.

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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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