A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Late at Night

It was late.

For some reason, I couldn’t fall asleep, so I stepped out into the garden for a walk—my first nighttime stroll since arriving at the ducal estate.

The air was cool and refreshing.

I hadn’t been here long, yet so much had already happened.

Especially earlier… with Melody.

Earlier That Evening

Melody had run toward me in a huff.

“Melody, what’s wrong? Are you alright?”

She planted her hands on her hips and puffed out her cheeks.

“Hmph! Uu! (I won!)”

Completely confused, I tilted my head. Thankfully, Marie and Becky followed behind her and explained.

They had run into Lady Dorn—Celia—on their way back.

“It could have become troublesome, but Sir Conrad helped us. You don’t need to worry!”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

Still, it bothered me.

I could handle hostility directed at me—but to treat Melody that way too…

Becky quickly reassured me that they would be more careful not to run into Celia again.

“Thank you. But if anything like that happens again, please tell me, alright?”

“Of course!”

The matter settled—but Melody remained energized for quite some time, bouncing around triumphantly.

After playing with her until she exhausted herself, she fell asleep earlier than usual.

And so, for once, I had a quiet evening to myself.

Not wanting to waste it, I slipped out into the peaceful garden.

The garden I had seen from Kain’s office during the day had been dazzling.

At night, it felt serene.

Almost dreamlike.

Just as I was strolling along—

“I see you’re awake at this hour.”

That low, smooth voice.

There was no mistaking it.

I turned.

Kain was walking toward me.

“Oh! Yes. I couldn’t sleep.”

I smiled awkwardly.

“I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“That’s my line.”

“Do you usually walk this late?”

“Sometimes.”

I hesitated, wondering if I was intruding.

But instead of dismissing me, he slowed his pace and began walking beside me.

A Walk Beneath the Moon

“How is life at the estate?” he asked.

“It’s wonderful. Everyone’s kind. The food is delicious. The beds are comfortable…”

The list kept going.

My original goal had only been to protect Melody.

Yet life here felt like more than I deserved.

But what pleased me most—

“I’ve gotten pretty close with Young Master Jaden!”

I blurted it proudly—then paused, wondering if I was overestimating.

Still, he had let me pinch his cheek.

That had to count.

Kain looked slightly surprised.

“With that brat?”

“Yes! He’s actually very kind. He even apologized first about the other day.”

Kain gave a short, quiet laugh.

“You’re the first person I’ve heard describe that prickly child as kind. Most are too busy being afraid of him.”

“He says the same thing. I don’t understand. He’s adorable to me.”

“Adorable?”

“Yes! Like a baby kitten.”

Kain seemed to picture Jaden briefly.

“…I suppose, coming from you, that makes sense.”

“What does that mean?”

He only shrugged.

We continued walking.

It was my first time walking alone with someone this late at night.

Strangely—

The silence wasn’t awkward.

It felt… comfortable.

Perhaps because I could tell he was adjusting his stride to match mine.

I glanced sideways.

Even in the dim moonlight, his features were striking.

Life is unfair.

His sharp nose. Firm jawline. The way shadows sculpted his face—

Handsome even in darkness.

I must have stared too long.

Clearing my throat, I tried to speak.

“At any rate—”

“Is the child—”

We both stopped at the same time.

Our eyes met.

I laughed softly.

“Go ahead.”

“You first.”

“No, I want to hear yours.”

He hesitated.

“…Has the child adjusted well? Melody, I mean.”

I clapped my hands lightly.

“She’s thriving! Absolutely flying around!”

“That’s good.”

“Yes. Thanks to everyone here.”

I began recounting everything enthusiastically.

“Marie and Becky take such good care of her. She really likes them.”

“Mm.”

“Sir Conrad dotes on her too…”

“That’s good.”

And it truly was.

The day I realized I had reincarnated, I never imagined I would find peace so quickly.

I stopped near the fountain and turned to face him.

“Meeting you that day was the greatest stroke of luck in my life.”

Kain’s Thoughts

Watching Viola smile so brightly—

Kain felt something unfamiliar stir inside him.

How could she say such things so easily?

No wonder Jaden couldn’t resist her.

Neither of them had ever built immunity to warmth like this.

She tossed a stone into still water and walked forward lightly—never realizing the ripples she left behind.

And he found himself following her without thought.

Why are you different?

“Viola.”

He called her name before he even realized it.

“Yes?”

She looked up at him.

Smiling.

His chest thudded strangely.

Why did I call her?

Before he could unravel the unfamiliar impulse—

“Ah!”

Like a squirrel spotting an acorn, she darted toward a flowerbed.

“Wow! This flower is rare!”

Her green eyes sparkled.

“A Bosines flower! I’ve never seen one growing here!”

He stepped closer.

She pointed at a small bloom—deep purple, delicate beneath the moonlight.

He hadn’t even known it existed.

To him, it was insignificant.

To her, it was wonder.

“You know flower names well,” he observed. “Do you like flowers?”

She stood and met his gaze.

“Yes. I love them.”

Her eyes curved gently as she smiled.

And once again—

He felt that strange ripple spread through his chest.