A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father - Chapter 42

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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 42

 

For Jayden to approach me first like this.

 

Come to think of it, there was a similar incident before.

 

I recalled the day when Jayden first visited my study for the very first time.

 

“…That woman dared to try to kill Viola.”

 

The desperate look of someone thinking only of protecting Viola.

 

I felt it then too, but it seemed that to this boy, Viola was someone who made him overcome even fear.

 

“I, I tried on the clothes…”

 

His shoulders were visibly tense and stiff from nervousness. It seemed he had squeezed out his courage with great difficulty.

 

Cain was about to respond indifferently as always but closed his mouth.

 

Suddenly, he remembered what Viola had whispered to him when they first entered the boutique.

 

“Children are surprisingly simple in their purity. Just meeting them at their eye level can sometimes change many things.”

 

She probably said that for this moment.

 

Cain slowly bent his knees and lowered his body completely.

 

Not from an adult’s perspective, but from a child’s. Meeting his eyes gently, Cain answered softly.

 

“It suits you well.”

 

“…Huh.”

 

Jayden seemed bewildered, not having expected praise, but perhaps pleased inside, as the corners of his mouth twitched upward.

 

Seeing the child’s positive reaction for the first time, Cain decided to approach a little more.

 

“Jayden.”

 

When he called out quietly, the child’s expression stiffened slightly as if surprised.

 

What should I do? As the boy hesitated, a warm presence suddenly touched his back.

 

It was none other than Viola.

 

When he glanced back, she smiled brightly at him. As if there was nothing to worry about.

 

Really? Is it okay?

 

Though suspicious, Jayden approached Cain with very small, cautious steps.

 

But the Duke, who always seemed as massive as a mountain, was now at eye level with him.

 

Now he could properly see Cain’s face.

 

Silver hair and red eyes that looked exactly like his own.

 

He had always felt too distant to notice, but up close, Cain’s expression wasn’t as stern as he thought.

 

That’s when it happened. Cain very slowly reached out his hand.

 

Though startled, Jayden didn’t step back and just squeezed his eyes shut.

 

He felt some sensation near his neckline, then it disappeared as the hand withdrew.

 

When he cautiously opened his eyes, the collar area that had been sticking up was now neatly smoothed down.

 

“This way would be better for wearing.”

 

With those words, Cain stepped back again.

 

“Wow. Young Master. Now it’s really perfect! It suits you so well!”

 

Clap clap clap.

 

Viola smiled brightly beside them and applauded.

 

“Yes, it looks good.”

 

Looking in the mirror, there stood a fine little gentleman. Just as the Duke had said.

 

It really did suit him better now.

 

Hmm hmm. The corners of Jayden’s mouth twitched again. His fingers also fidgeted unconsciously.

 

Whether it was embarrassment or what. He didn’t know what this feeling was.

 

But for the first time, Jayden thought.

 

Perhaps, as Viola said, his uncle might not be such a scary person after all.

 

* * *

 

I watched Jayden and Cain, both looking shy, with pleased eyes.

 

‘This much counts as success for today, right?’

 

It was even greater progress than I had expected.

 

All I did was create an opportunity for them to spend time together.

 

‘The fact that we’ve come this far already means…’

 

Probably both of them, though they didn’t say it, had secretly hoped for this kind of situation.

 

‘If I just keep bringing them together little by little like this, someday…’

 

Hehehe. I smiled suspiciously while organizing future plans in my head.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Woo! Woo!”

 

Melody grabbed my skirt hem and pointed with her finger at a gorgeous dress displayed in the center of the store.

 

“Mommy. Woo woo?”

 

Mommy, try that on too!

 

The child’s eyes sparkled.

 

Even Jayden joined in, poking my hand.

 

“That’s right, Viola! That would look really good on you! Why don’t you try it on? Please?”

 

“Oh no, I’m fine. Really.”

 

What occasion would I have to wear such a fancy dress anyway?

 

Even when I was a marquis’s daughter, I might have attended banquets, but not anymore.

 

All I did was prepare and grind medicinal herbs, so such clothes would be a luxury.

 

And even aside from that…

 

‘It’s too expensive!’

 

I had sneakily looked at the price tag on Melody’s clothes earlier, and I really thought my eyes would pop out.

 

But Cain, as if it were nothing, bought not only the clothes Melody liked, but also all the clothes the child had just glanced at. Even when I refused while breaking out in cold sweat, he was stubborn, making it quite troublesome.

 

‘That dress would obviously be even more expensive. Absolutely impossible.’

 

No matter how generously Cain paid my salary, I definitely couldn’t afford it with my money.

 

‘Rather than that…’

 

A casual outfit hanging on the wall caught my eye.

 

A neat blouse that looked comfortable to move in and a dark green skirt.

 

It had been catching my eye repeatedly.

 

The design was also modest and didn’t look bad for wearing to work.

 

‘This one seems like I could buy it.’

 

But I quickly gave up on the idea. I had already decided to use the salary I’d received so far for something else.

 

“It’s fine! My current clothes are comfortable and good.”

 

I was about to turn around after giving up cleanly, when Cain was standing behind me without me noticing.

 

He gestured toward the clothes I had been looking at and said quietly.

 

“I think it would suit you.”

 

“Hup.”

 

“Woo woo!”

 

Melody tugged at Cain’s sleeve and then pointed to the gorgeous dress in the center.

 

“Woo woo?”

 

What about this one? She seemed to be asking.

 

“Certainly that would suit you too. I’ll pay for everything together-”

 

“N-no! No! Melody? You can’t do that to the Duke.”

 

It looked like he was about to tell the madam to wrap everything up right away, so I panicked and waved my arms frantically.

 

“Really, it’s fine! I don’t have any occasion to wear such a dress!”

 

“You never know, right?”

 

What is this Duke even saying…! Is he telling me to handle herbs while wearing such a fancy dress?

 

‘I should have realized it from the moment he swept up Melody’s clothes…!’

 

Befitting the head of Ashern, which boasts the greatest wealth in the Empire, this Duke… had quite extravagant tendencies.

 

“Dresses are uncomfortable when working… It’s really okay! More importantly-”

 

At this rate, he really seemed like he’d buy it, so I had to change the subject somehow.

 

‘Buying clothes for me too would be a real waste.’

 

No matter how much money Cain had, I couldn’t let him buy a dress that would get ruined after handling herbs a few times.

 

I glanced around nervously and spoke up.

 

“Your Grace, I’m sorry, but could I step out for just a moment?”

 

“Where to?”

 

“Viola? Where are you going?”

 

“Woo?”

 

I’d only said one thing, but all three of them looked at me and asked back.

 

“I think I left something in the carriage.”

 

“We’ll be heading back soon anyway? Let’s all go together.”

 

In my haste, I seemed to have made up a ridiculous excuse. Ugh. I really have no talent for lying.

 

What should I do? But there was no taking back words already spoken.

 

‘Just run for it!’

 

“Ah, no! Anyway, I’ll be right back!”

 

Leaving Melody and Jayden with him, I headed outside without looking back.

 

* * *

 

After resolving what had been bothering me, I returned to the boutique, and we all headed to the restaurant together.

 

Since we had promised to dine out together.

 

The restaurant we arrived at was, according to what I’d heard from Marie before, a famous place always bustling with nobles.

 

But…

 

“There’s no one here? I heard this restaurant is especially crowded in the evenings.”

 

In this strangely déjà vu situation, I realized belatedly.

 

‘Don’t tell me, again?’

 

Did he rent out this place entirely too, following the boutique?

 

When I looked back at Cain in surprise, he just brushed it off nonchalantly as if this were perfectly normal.

 

‘…Let’s not carelessly suggest dining out in the future.’

 

Perhaps because he’s a Duke. His standards were completely different from mine.

 

I felt like situations kept escalating unintentionally.

 

The restaurant was an incredibly elegant place. The beautiful chandeliers on the ceiling and the colorful flowers on the tables were reminiscent of a splendid banquet hall.

 

“Woooah! Mommy! Woo!”

 

Look there! That, that!

 

Finding the dazzling scene fascinating, Melody bounced up and down pointing at the chandelier.

 

“You’re right? It’s so sparkly, isn’t it?”

 

While I was looking around with Melody, a waiter approached and guided us to our table.

 

Not long after ordering from the menu, food began arriving one by one in sequence.

 

Every single dish looked delicious, making Melody’s eyes sparkle.

 

“Wooaah!”

 

As if she’d devour everything, the child raised her fork high to stab the food, but whoosh.

 

Having trouble with the fork, the food kept slipping away.

 

Oh dear.

 

“Mommy will feed you. Melody, say ah!”

 

“Aah~”

 

When I rolled up the noodles and put them in her mouth at just the right size for a child, Melody received it well. Soon she was chewing with puffed-out cheeks.

 

Aww. Her face melting with delight at how delicious it was looked adorable.

 

“Is it tasty?”

 

“Woo!”

 

While Melody was chewing her food, I was about to take a bite myself when.

 

“Viola, Viola.”

 

“Yes? Young Master? What’s wrong?”

 

Jayden, who had put down his spoon, looked at me with sparkling eyes. As if expecting something.

 

“Mmm… Never mind.”

 

He clearly seemed to want something, but Jayden never let it show outwardly.

 

‘He’s not asking to be fed, is he…?’

 

Just in case, when I pretended to reach for Jayden’s fork, the sparkle in his eyes intensified.

 

Oh?

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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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