A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father - Chapter 93

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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 93

On the path to meet each other.

The two people who encountered each other at the crossroads headed toward the manor garden without either taking the lead.

The garden, bathed in warm sunlight, was sparsely populated and tranquil—a suitable place for quiet conversation.

‘She said she had something to say.’

Cain glanced down at Viola walking beside him.

When they had entered the garden together, she seemed to have made some kind of resolution, but now Viola was fidgeting with a clearly nervous expression, not saying a word. She was trembling like a winter squirrel.

‘It doesn’t seem like she’s scared.’

Is she being shy?

Since she was showing a different attitude than usual, Cain couldn’t gauge what story she was about to tell.

When Cain waited patiently so as not to burden Viola, she hesitated for a long while before finally squeezing her eyes shut and opening her mouth.

“Um… it’s nothing major, but I was thinking of having a contract marriage!”

At this unexpected topic, Cain couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

“What a coincidence. I was just about to talk about the same thing.”

As if she hadn’t expected him to respond so casually to the contract marriage topic, Viola blinked her enormously wide eyes.

“Is it because of the biological father issue?”

Viola, who had been frozen, finally nodded her head busily.

“Yes, yes! That’s right. I think it would be safer to present Melody’s biological father, even if it’s fake.”

Hmm. Cain made a small sound of agreement.

It seems Viola has reached exactly the same conclusion as me.

‘This will make the conversation easier.’

While he thought this was the right answer, he had been worried about how to bring up the topic. Since she had the same thoughts, there was no need to hesitate any longer.

“Then there’s no need to delay. Shall we skip the engagement and go straight to the wedding?”

“Huh? Oh, that would be good…”

“If we marry too hastily, that would look suspicious in its own way. Let’s have the ceremony within three months, but announce the marriage to noble society as quickly as possible instead.”

Cain led the conversation without hesitation. Since they had decided on marriage, there were many matters to consider going forward.

It was when he was walking and discussing the plans that had been neatly organized in his mind that Viola suddenly stopped walking.

Her face was full of difficulty.

“What’s wrong? Is the timing too early?”

When Cain sent her a puzzled look, Viola fidgeted with her toes and made a tearful expression. This was the first time he had seen her look so utterly at a loss.

“Well… I haven’t found a partner yet…”

“…What?”

Cain stopped abruptly.

Did I hear that correctly? What sound just came from those small lips?

Unaware that Cain had frozen in bewilderment, Viola began pouring out what was, in her mind, a serious concern.

“Actually, this isn’t an easy matter. Someone would have to pretend to be Melody’s biological father for life… Even if someone appeared willing to do it, I’m worried whether I could meet their conditions.”

“…Viola.”

“In the first place, I’m worried whether a nobleman who is unmarried and has no fiancée would bother to agree to a contract marriage.”

Viola clutched her head as if she was truly at her wit’s end.

He simply could not understand this woman’s thinking.

Where exactly did their conversation get tangled? He thought they had the same solution since they reached the same conclusion.

What? She can’t find a partner?

There was something wrong with her words.

Why would she need to find a partner in the first place?

Wasn’t it naturally supposed to be with me?

Perhaps misunderstanding the bewilderment on Cain’s face, Viola carefully continued her words.

“Ugh… Honestly, I don’t know what to do. Age differences or divorce history don’t matter to me at all. I’d really be grateful to anyone.”

Before he could even recover from the shock, she casually added even more dizzying words.

No, setting everything else aside.

‘What is this woman saying right now?’

What? Age doesn’t matter? A divorced man would be fine too?

“Ha.”

Finally, a cold laugh burst from Cain’s lips.

He unconsciously ran his hand roughly through his hair.

His neck area felt suffocatingly tight, so he irritably loosened his cravat, but even when his blocked airways cleared, his annoyance didn’t subside.

At the suddenly menacing atmosphere, Viola startled and shrank her small shoulders.

Wondering if she had made some big mistake, she gripped her skirt tightly with both hands and rolled her eyes around like a squirrel.

Seeing that round face looking completely clueless yet tense as she cautiously watched his mood, Cain found it absurd that he couldn’t just explode in anger.

Suppressing his rising anger, he spoke with a pointed voice.

“Why look for someone who meets the conditions elsewhere? There’s one right here.”

“…Huh?”

Viola tilted her head as if she didn’t understand at all.

Her face was innocently pure, as if she had never once considered Cain as her contract marriage partner. Even though he was standing right in front of her, even though he had given her such a clear hint.

With his patience exhausted by that expression, Cain spoke as if driving in a nail.

“Let’s get married, with me.”

At first she had a bewildered look, then as if belatedly understanding his meaning, she widened her eyes in shock.

“Huh? Are you serious?”

That reaction only served to provoke Cain further.

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

In Cain’s mind, it was a very simple problem. Without needing to worry or look elsewhere, he happened to fit the conditions perfectly. The current problem would be solved if she married him.

But Viola only turned pale and frantically waved her hands in denial.

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

Despite having startled squirrel-like eyes and glancing nervously at him, Viola didn’t close her mouth and earnestly continued her objections.

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

Cain watched her quietly with the mindset of seeing how far she would go, but his gaze grew increasingly dark.

Finally, overwhelmed by the ominous atmosphere, Viola trailed off.

“Rather, I’m the one who wants to ask.”

Toward her, now finally quiet, Cain opened his mouth.

“When the person who contracted to protect Melody and you is right in front of your eyes, you want to marry some other guy?”

At Cain’s sharp interrogation, Viola opened and closed her lips with an extremely wronged expression.

“Th-that’s not what I mean… Even if we have a contract, still, I couldn’t wish for such a sacrifice from none other than Your Grace…”

“I don’t understand.”

Toward Viola, who was making excuses, Cain immediately took a step forward to close the distance. A large shadow fell thickly over her as if to devour her.

“Am I insufficient as a contract husband? Or perhaps I don’t catch your eye?”

At his weighty question, Viola reflexively shook her head.

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

This time too, Viola shook her head vigorously.

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

He simply couldn’t understand. How was it a different matter?

Cain had promised her to protect Melody and Viola, and she had contracted to cure his nephew’s illness. She was fulfilling the contract admirably.

Then the contract marriage that would become a shelter for the two of them should rightfully be his complete responsibility as well.

Not the territory of some random guy who might have rolled in from who knows where.

Cain reached out and firmly grasped Viola’s slender hand, as if he wouldn’t listen to any more ridiculous excuses.

“…!”

The small hand, not knowing what to do, fluttered within Cain’s large hand.

Cain gripped her hand even more firmly so she couldn’t escape, and while maintaining persistent eye contact, whispered low.

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

“…”

“Marry me.”

Viola’s shoulders trembled finely.

Her light green eyes, colored with confusion, wavered, and she swallowed dryly before asking cautiously.

“You mean… a contract marriage, right?”

Well.

Instead of answering, Cain only smiled deeply, smoothly curling up the corners of his mouth.

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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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