A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Was that even concern to begin with?

No one who truly worried about someone would speak like that.

Was being born with Dragon Blood a crime?

It wasn’t as if Jaden had chosen to be ill.

Instead of helping, those words only added pressure to a child who was already suffering.

But the woman didn’t stop.

“Honestly, what’s the point of this useless fever? Nothing has improved. It’s the same as three years ago. This isn’t some contagious disease, is it? Ugh, my luck.”

Her voice lowered, but the tone made it clear—there was no kindness in it.

Viola deliberately knocked loudly.

Knock. Knock.

“Young Master, are you inside? It’s Viola. May I come in?”

She raised her voice on purpose.

The sharp voice inside stopped instantly.

A moment later, the door flew open.

“Didn’t you hear we were talking? Knocking like that—how uncultured.”

It was the same woman from yesterday.

Blonde hair. Lavish dress. Sharp, calculating eyes.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize someone was here. It’s treatment time, so I was in a bit of a hurry…”

Viola bowed slightly, apologizing sincerely.

The woman flicked her fan dismissively.

“…The apothecary?”

Her gaze swept Viola from head to toe.

“A strange scent. You must be that new commoner apothecary.”

Ah. The herbal smell.

Viola adjusted the strap of her bag sheepishly.

“Yes. I’m Viola.”

The woman’s lips curved faintly.

“I’m Celia Dorn. The Young Master’s personal attendant.”

She placed subtle emphasis on her surname.

Dorn.

Viola vaguely remembered the name from her days in noble society.

Celia narrowed her eyes and spoke in a falsely sweet tone.

“I heard you have a child. It must have been difficult, raising one alone without marriage.”

Something about the way she said it felt… wrong.

“Oh, not at all. I’m happy to have such a lovely daughter.”

Celia’s smile twitched.

“Then perhaps you should focus on raising that lovely daughter. Why linger around His Grace?”

“…Pardon?”

“Surely you’re not dreaming of climbing the social ladder with a child in tow?”

Viola blinked.

“Climbing…?”

Technically, she had gone from rural apothecary to ducal apothecary.

But that clearly wasn’t what Celia meant.

“You shouldn’t covet a tree you cannot climb. Didn’t you learn that as a child?”

“What exactly are you implying?”

Celia lifted her chin.

“I am the future Duchess of Ashellen. Mind your behavior.”

Future duchess?

Had Kain become engaged?

That made no sense.

In the original story, he remained unmarried his entire life.

…Had the plot changed?

“…That doesn’t make sense.”

Celia’s expression shattered.

“How dare a commoner insult me!”

Suddenly—

Cough! Cough!

A harsh, violent cough echoed from inside the room.

“Young Master?”

Viola forgot everything else.

“Excuse me!”

She rushed past Celia without hesitation.

Celia glared at her back before storming off down the corridor.

Inside Jaden’s Room

“Young Master, are you alright?”

Jaden sat upright against the wall.

His complexion looked fine.

“When did the coughing start? Your fever has broken.”

“I didn’t.”

“…What?”

“I said I didn’t.”

He cleared his throat lightly and turned his face away, embarrassed.

Viola blinked.

His voice was steady.

Clear.

Then—

Did he… fake it? To help me?

He kept sneaking glances at her.

That confirmed it.

Oh my goodness. That’s adorable.

She quickly covered her mouth.

“Thank you, Young Master.”

“I didn’t help.”

“I never said what you helped with.”

Jaden’s eyes widened.

His prickly tone couldn’t conceal the obvious.

This child.

“Anyway, I didn’t.”

“Alright, alright.”

He sputtered in protest.

She smiled warmly.

He looked moments away from panicking.

“Please sit.”

Unlike yesterday, he obeyed after only a brief pause.

His condition was stable.

The medicine suited him well.

She felt his gaze again.

This time, it rested on her left arm.

He’s worried.

His fingers fidgeted slightly.

“Do you have something to say?”

“No! Not really!”

His red eyes trembled faintly.

“Oh? Alright then. I’ll be going.”

She pretended to turn away.

“W-wait!”

“I thought you had nothing to say?”

“I, I…!”

He hesitated.

His ears turned red.

Then finally—

“Th-th… mi…”