A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Because she keeps saying exactly what I want to hear… it’s hard to believe her.

“Really! Are you scared of teddy bears, Young Master?”

“No! Who would be scared of something like that?”

“I’m not either. You’re this cute. There’s no way you’d be scary.”

She smiled softly. Her sprout-green eyes curved gently as she looked at him.

“…Cute?”

Without realizing it, Jaden stared blankly at Viola’s face. Her pink hair swayed in the breeze like spun cotton candy. Her round eyes. The dimples that appeared whenever she smiled—

The cute one is Viola, not me.

Who is she calling cute?

He almost grumbled, but the look in her eyes was completely sincere. He didn’t understand why… but it didn’t feel unpleasant.

It felt like she liked him.

“Do you like cute things?”

“Of course. Who doesn’t like cute things?”

If that was really true…

“…My cheeks are really squishy too.”

Jaden cautiously tried to appeal to her in his own way. Cute things were squishy. Maybe that would work.

But—

“Pfft!”

Viola burst out laughing. Then, by pure habit, she reached out and squeezed his cheek.

Squish.

“Ah?”

Realizing what she had done, she immediately let go.

“Oh! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to! Did that bother you, Young Master?”

Jaden shook his head and asked only one thing.

“So.”

“Yes?”

“…Are they squishy?”

Like a sly little cat, he leaned forward and rubbed his cheek lightly against her hand.

Jaden found other people’s emotions difficult. He hadn’t had many chances to share feelings with anyone.

When he was very young, he had family—but his father and mother died on the same day. His older brother left for the Academy. The only remaining relative, his uncle, was frightening—and until recently, rarely stayed at the estate.

So he didn’t really understand how hearts worked.

But he understood one thing.

If he did this, maybe Viola would like him more.

Sure enough—

She poked his cheek happily.

I see. So this works.

Jaden suppressed the satisfied smile that threatened to rise and instead pretended indifference, pushing his cheek forward again.

“When will you come again?”

He asked as Viola packed her things. The pink ribbon hairpin was still clipped neatly in his bangs.

“Whenever you call me. And even if you don’t, I’ll come every day.”

Tch. Then why not just stay here?

He almost pouted—but stopped himself. He was already six this year. He couldn’t act like a baby.

“Then where are you going now?”

“I’m heading to the apothecary. Your fever’s completely gone, so I’m thinking of adjusting your medicine.”

“Medicine? Mine?”

“Yes! Yours.”

Viola answered brightly, but Jaden’s expression darkened almost imperceptibly.

“I’m not sick right now… Do I really have to take it?”

Yesterday’s burning fever and splitting headache had been unbearable. But now, he truly felt fine.

He asked softly, almost pleading.

But Viola was firm.

“Of course. That’s how you get better.”

“I guess, but…”

It was true her medicine had eased his pain immediately. A miraculous effect he had never experienced before.

Still—

The thought of taking medicine felt… wrong.

“Is something bothering you?”

Viola tilted her head, noticing his subtle change in expression.

“It’s nothing.”

He said that, but his thoughts were tangled.

“Relying on medicine is what weak humans do. You are dragon-blooded.”

“You must overcome things with your own strength. Look at His Grace the Duke. He stands on an entirely different level from a half-baked child like you.”

His swordsmanship instructor’s voice echoed in his mind.

Being sick was already humiliating.

Taking medicine on top of that?

If his master found out, he would call it disgraceful.

Jaden looked up at Viola.

There was no reproach in her eyes.

Only concern.

And somehow, that made it harder.

Later

After leaving Jaden’s room, I went straight to the medicine workshop.

“Hmm. Time to move to the next stage.”

It might be early to conclude, but his fever didn’t seem likely to return. Since his condition had stabilized, it was time to begin proper treatment.

But one thing bothered me.

He pretended not to, but he clearly doesn’t like taking medicine.

Understandable.

No—familiar would be more accurate.

Back in Heiron Village, the children used to run away whenever I tried to give them medicine.

But that didn’t mean I let it slide.

Within a week, I had conquered the entire village—with my special syrup.

Just wait, Jaden.

I’ll create the most delicious children’s syrup in existence.

Grinning like a witch, I began drafting the formula.

“So what I’ll need is…”

I stood and checked the herb storage.

“Plenty of Sharp-Leaf Herb.”

No wonder.

Kain had purchased it at an inflated price and practically emptied the market. There was enough to last for years.

“But this alone won’t be enough.”

Sharp-Leaf Herb could suppress rampaging dragon energy, but its effect was mild.

However—

If I amplify its efficacy?

Everything would fall into place.

And thanks to the original story, I knew exactly how.

If he just takes the medicine properly, he’ll never suffer like that again.

I must have been too absorbed in my work.

It was already dark outside.

“When did it get so late?”

After tidying up, I returned to my room and waited for Melody.

Knock knock.

Smiling brightly, I opened the door—

But instead of Melody and Marie, only Becky stood there.

“Lady Viola, may I speak with you for a moment?”

“Is something wrong? Where are Melody and Marie?”

“Marie is bringing Melody. But I needed to tell you something first…”

Becky looked unusually serious.

What is it? Did something happen to Melody?

Thankfully, it wasn’t that.

Instead, she explained that on their way to the laundry room two nights ago, they had gotten into an argument with Celia.

“I’m sorry, Lady Viola. I think we caused you trouble.”

“Forget me—are you and Marie alright?”

Becky’s eyes filled with tears.

“Thank you for worrying. We’re fine. We didn’t lie. And we didn’t steal anything.”

“That’s a relief.”

I finally exhaled.

“We just wanted to warn you to be careful. Because of us, you might be misunderstood.”

“It’s alright. Thank you for telling me.”

So that was why Celia had been so hostile outside Jaden’s room.

She must have heard that Kain lent me his coat—and misunderstood.

That’s… troublesome.

But it had simply been His Grace’s consideration. Surely the misunderstanding would clear itself up.

Unfortunately—

It only grew worse.

Two Days Later

Two days passed.

Celia Dorn was in an absolutely foul mood.

“Viola, Viola. She never stops talking about Viola.”

Ever since two days ago, the moment Jaden opened his eyes—

He had begun chanting Viola’s name nonstop.