A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Let’s rewind five minutes.

On the way to Jaden’s room with Conrad—

“I’m sorry, Young Master.”

An elderly servant shuffled into the hallway, shoulders hunched.

On the tray he carried sat a bowl of clear soup—clearly a patient’s meal.

That must be Jaden’s room.

The soup was untouched and completely cold.

“Please wait here, Miss Viola. I’ll assess the situation.”

Conrad spoke quietly with the servant.

“What happened? Where is the assigned maid?”

“Well, that is…”

When Conrad returned, he adjusted his glasses awkwardly.

“Is something wrong?”

“I’m terribly sorry. It may be best if you return tomorrow. The young master is especially sensitive today.”

According to Conrad, Jaden disliked physicians and apothecaries.

Especially on days when his condition worsened.

On those days, even servants who had cared for him since childhood struggled to approach him.

“On days like this, he can become violent. You may be hurt. His Grace instructed us to exercise caution.”

“I see…”

“Since you’ve come all this way, I intended to at least introduce you to his assigned maid—but she is absent as well. We will arrange another time tomorrow.”

Conrad’s concern was genuine.

I understood.

Dragon Blood rendered most conventional treatments ineffective.

If I barged in and only agitated him, it would benefit no one.

But the more I listened, the more anxious I became.

He hasn’t eaten.

If he was especially sensitive today, that meant his pain was severe.

“I would like to see him myself.”

“It could be dangerous.”

“But he must be treated eventually.”

My voice came out firmer than usual.

Refusing treatment does not mean someone wishes to remain ill.

It means they are too exhausted to hope.

And I refused to retreat—not from a six-year-old child.

That wasn’t merely professional pride.

It was adult responsibility.

Conrad blinked in surprise.

“Then… let us go together.”

Knock knock.

“Get out! I said no one!”

Conrad remained calm.

“Young Master, we have brought an apothecary.”

“I don’t need one!”

Conrad glanced at me. I nodded.

He opened the door.

The heat struck immediately.

The room was sealed with heavy blackout curtains.

A fireplace roared in the corner as if it were midwinter.

Stifling. Dry. Oppressive.

This is worse than I expected.

The bed was empty.

A small figure crouched on a sofa.

“Go… away…”

Jaden’s silver hair clung damply to his forehead.

His face burned red with fever.

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

He staggered to his feet.

Conrad instinctively stepped forward.

“His Grace’s order.”

Jaden flinched.

I quickly intervened.

“Please, Conrad—”

“If you refuse treatment, I will call His Grace—”

“I said I don’t need it!”

The shriek tore through the room.

“I know my own body best! Get out!”

He flung his arm—

Crash!

A glass vase shattered at my feet.

Fragments scattered everywhere.

“Miss Viola!”

But I didn’t respond.

Jaden turned—and swayed dangerously.

He was about to fall forward.

Toward the shards.

“No!”

I moved without thinking, grabbing his shoulder.

“Don’t touch me!”

He shoved me away.

Crunch.

I hit the floor.

Jaden—?

Thankfully, he collapsed onto the rug instead of the broken glass.

Relief flooded me—

Until I saw it.

Blood.

Running down my left arm.

“V-Viola…”

Jaden stared at me, face pale.

The doorway darkened.

“Jaden Ashellen. What is this?”

Kain’s voice was colder than a winter storm.

* * *

Kain took in the destroyed room, suppressing the fury rising within him.

He had given them space.

And yet—

The metallic scent of blood hung in the air.

Red dripped steadily from Viola’s arm.

“Conrad. Take her and treat the wound.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Conrad rushed forward.

Kain turned slowly.

Jaden was trembling.

“Explain.”

Jaden flinched.

“I—I didn’t do it!”

Too late.

Kain let out a cold laugh.

“Jaden Ashellen.”

His aura intensified.

The air grew heavy.

Jaden’s face drained of color.

Why did this happen? I just didn’t want treatment…

“You are Dragon Blood. You must never show weakness.”

The words echoed in his mind.

I’m not Dragon Blood. I’m not…

His vision blurred.

Then—

“It’s a misunderstanding!”

A clear, bell-like voice rang through the room.