A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father - Chapter 44

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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 44

 

Pfft. A laugh escaped—whether it was a chuckle or a hollow laugh, I couldn’t tell.

 

What a truly peculiar woman. To think she’d try to bribe a duke with something like this.

 

“A-and while we’re at it, please forget about the incident from earlier too…!”

 

Her desperate voice from the end still echoed in my ears.

 

Forget it, she says. Is she talking about when she held food out to me and tried that “aah~” thing?

 

Dragon blood naturally grants superior memory compared to ordinary people. And there’s no way I could forget such an intense memory.

 

Even without the dragon blood trait, that would be a hard moment to forget.

 

In fact, today’s entire outing had been like that overall.

 

When Viola suggested going out, I never expected things to unfold this way.

 

Truth be told, Cain had rarely gone out for personal reasons.

 

The only times he crossed the manor’s threshold were to subjugate monsters or fulfill his duties as head of the house.

 

Especially since taking over the ducal position three years ago, monsters had increased exponentially for unknown reasons, so until recently he’d had no opportunity for personal time. He barely spent any time at the manor itself.

 

But even if he hadn’t inherited the ducal position, nothing would have changed.

 

Even if time had been given to him, he never would have gone out for personal entertainment.

 

Cain simply lacked such desires to begin with.

 

The absence of sensations like wanting to do something or finding things enjoyable.

 

Cain’s life was closer to a dry repetition of days simply fulfilling his duties as a duke and as dragon blood.

 

That’s why today’s outing was somehow detached from his daily routine—a strange experience.

 

‘…It was the same during the meal.’

 

Having inherited dragon blood so strongly, Cain’s senses were particularly sharp. His sense of taste was no exception.

 

A constitution that felt flavors dozens of times more acutely than others.

 

Perhaps because of that, all food felt bland and dry to him instead.

 

Being an emotionless dragon blood, he had no particular preferences for any taste.

 

But…

 

“Wow. I think this is the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten!”

 

Viola’s face came to mind—how she’d smiled brightly after putting a piece of steak in her mouth.

 

The moment he saw that expression, Cain gained some understanding.

 

I see. This is what the sensation of deliciousness is.

 

To him, food was merely a means of survival.

 

But watching Viola eat happily before his eyes, for the first time he seemed to sense some flavor in food.

 

‘Though I wonder if that woman even ate properly herself.’

 

He recalled how she’d been too busy feeding the children to enjoy her own meal.

 

How she’d been so focused on feeding the children that she didn’t even notice her food getting cold. No wonder she’d even held out her fork to me.

 

‘…Next time, I should make sure that doesn’t happen.’

 

So the food doesn’t get cold.

 

So she can fully enjoy her own portion.

 

For that to happen…

 

Viola instinctively takes care of the children first.

 

Next time, we should go out just the two of us instead. Cain had that thought.

 

The person in question didn’t realize he was already picturing his next outing with her.

 

* * *

 

The next day, morning.

 

I rubbed my eyes as I watched clothes suddenly flood into my room.

 

So… what exactly is this situation?

 

Blouses I never ordered, skirts of all different types.

 

‘But something seems familiar.’

 

It didn’t seem to be because the style was similar to what I usually wear.

 

That luxurious design and material… I’d definitely seen it before.

 

‘Could it be?’

 

I clapped my hands as yesterday’s memory suddenly flashed by. That blouse. The one I saw at the boutique yesterday.

 

I’m sure I properly declined when Cain offered to buy it for me, so why is it here now?

 

Moreover, it wasn’t just the blouse and skirt—it was as if they’d moved the entire boutique here, with evening gowns, casual dresses, and even hunting attire.

 

And what are all those shoes and accessories!

 

As if to resolve my confusion, Conrad smiled, his eyes crinkling behind his glasses.

 

“Count sent these. He hopes you’ll like them.”

 

A cheerful smile. But I, the actual recipient of the gifts, felt anything but cheerful.

 

“Wait a moment, Conrad! This is too sudden…?”

 

“Do they not suit your taste? Then I must immediately make new reservations at other boutiques…”

 

Why on earth would I need such a thing… I frantically waved my hands at this absurd misunderstanding.

 

“No, that’s not the problem at all! It’s literally just too sudden. The gift of Melody’s clothes was already enough, and now so many more…”

 

Looking at the piled clothes, I swallowed dryly. Even if I wore something new every day, it seemed like I couldn’t try them all even after a month.

 

But Conrad remained composed.

 

“This level of treatment is natural for Ashern’s benefactor. If anything, I’m sorry it’s too modest.”

 

Where exactly is this modest? If it gets modest twice more, he’ll probably buy me a whole manor.

 

“Please accept them comfortably, Viola. It’s Count’s heart wanting to repay even a little of his debt.”

 

Conrad said this with a slight smile.

 

‘But…’

 

Hearing those words made me even more unable to accept them.

 

When I first stepped forward to treat Jayden’s Tamuthar disease, I did set a price.

 

There was no other way to ask Cain to ensure Melody’s and my safety.

 

But by now, I’d already given Jayden so much affection.

 

‘Everyone calls me a benefactor, but…’

 

It wasn’t just the people of House of Ashern who wanted Jayden to get better.

 

I too hoped that young child wouldn’t suffer anymore. In truth, it was something I did because I wanted to.

 

‘I can’t accept payment for something like that…’

 

I spoke again with a firm voice.

 

“I’m really fine with it, Conrad. I’ll gratefully accept just the sentiment.”

 

Whether my intention finally got through, he seemed convinced and finally nodded.

 

“I understand. If you truly don’t like them, then it can’t be helped. I’ll have all the clothes returned.”

 

More precisely, I just feel bad about accepting them.

 

‘Is it resolved for now?’

 

Just as I was about to hurry and ask him to do that before Conrad changed his mind.

 

“I’ll return these clothes and call a completely different boutique here instead. It would be nice for you to personally choose everything from dresses to accessories while we’re at it.”

 

Hup. I closed my mouth right back up.

 

“Can… can I refuse that too?”

 

“Of course. We won’t force anything on you, Viola. If you don’t like that either, please feel free to say so. I’ll call the next candidate. Until you’re satisfied.”

 

His firm voice seemed to carry an indescribable madness.

 

Hmm…

 

Faced with true madness, I eventually surrendered.

 

“I’ll… I’ll gratefully accept these clothes…”

 

“Wow, I’m so glad you like them.”

 

Conrad flashed his characteristic smile and adjusted his glasses, but I couldn’t bear to look.

 

She’s quite a scary person, in a subtle way.

 

Unable to handle the pile of clothes that had accumulated in an instant, Marie and Becky eventually decided to lend a hand.

 

“Wow, Lady Viola! Look at this! I think it would suit you well!”

 

Being young girls, they didn’t forget to browse while carefully organizing the clothes.

 

“Won’t you try it on? Please? You received it as a gift after all!”

 

“R-right.”

 

Unable to resist the pleading of the two with their sparkling eyes, I had no choice but to agree to change clothes.

 

Becky sent subtle glances toward a gorgeous dress with an expectant face.

 

‘Ugh. But something like that is still too burdensome.’

 

Even during my days as a marquis’s daughter, I had rarely worn dresses.

 

‘Maybe I’ll try on this relatively simple blouse and skirt.’

 

At least this wouldn’t be uncomfortable when working.

 

I immediately changed into the outfit.

 

It was actually a combination of a blouse and long skirt similar to my usual style.

 

But perhaps because it was high-quality fabric, the texture felt soft.

 

“Well, I did put it on and come out…”

 

I stood awkwardly in front of the two.

 

Even though it was expensive clothing, the style was similar so there probably wouldn’t be any dramatic difference.

 

I was wondering if I could meet their expectations when—

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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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