A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father Chapter 36

Chapter 36

“Mama. Uu?”

Melody pointed at the empty space beside the bed and demanded an explanation from Becky and Marie.

They repeated what they had already told her.

“Young Master Jaden isn’t feeling well, so Lady Viola will be late tonight.”

“W-would you like us to stay with you? If you’re scared to sleep alone?”

They spoke gently.

It didn’t help.

Mama had promised.

She was supposed to come early tonight and read a story.

Sniff.

Tears pooled in Melody’s eyes.

I don’t care. Bring Mama…

She liked Becky and Marie.

But she loved Mama the most.

“Uu. U? Mama.”

She begged them again.

Bring Mama.

But they were firm.

“Lady Viola is very busy. She’ll come after you sleep just one night.”

“Uuu!”

Then I’ll go to her!

“Uu?”

Can’t I go?

No matter how hard she tried, they couldn’t understand.

“Now, let’s go to bed. You’ll grow tall if you sleep well.”

“Uuu! U! U!”

That’s it. I’ll find her myself!

She darted toward the door.

Becky caught her quickly.

“Wait, Lady Melody! The main building is far. You might get lost.”

“U! Uu!”

I’m good at finding my way!

It didn’t matter.

They wouldn’t let her go.

It was too sad.

“Alright. We’ll stay beside you until you fall asleep.”

Melody sniffed and glared at them.

“U!”

I’ll sleep alone!

“Uu!”

I hate Becky and Marie!

She flopped dramatically onto the bed and yanked the blanket over her head.

After a few quiet moments—

“Is she asleep?”

“She must be exhausted from crying. Let’s step out quietly.”

The two maids slipped out.

The door clicked shut.

Instantly—

Now!

Melody’s eyes snapped open in the dark, gleaming like a cat’s.

They said the main building.

Mama’s there!

She slid off the bed silently and crept toward the door.

Outside, she hid behind a pillar and peeked around the corner.

The corridor was empty.

An ordinary child might have marched confidently down the hall.

But not her.

Relaxing is dangerous.

I’m an escape expert.

There was a reason she was good with directions.

She had escaped that terrible temple.

Compared to that—

This was easy.

Swiftly and quietly, she made her way toward the main building.

Becky and Marie had once explained the layout.

Third floor…

Jaden—or was it “Bagel”?

Either way, Mama had to be there.

She climbed the stairs with her whole tiny body, panting but determined.

Finally, she reached the third floor.

It felt different here.

Quieter.

Almost… empty.

“…Mama?”

Her small voice echoed faintly along the long hallway.

Where are you…

Then—

At the far end, light spilled from beneath a door.

There!

She crept closer and peeked through the slight crack.

A boy stood inside.

Silver hair like moonlight.

Eyes like strawberry candy.

He looked… familiar.

…Duke cookie uncle?

He resembled that tall man.

“Who are you?”

The boy stared at her sharply.

Meanwhile

After Viola left, Jaden waited obediently.

She’ll come back right away.

Viola keeps her promises.

Tonight, she said she would stay.

His lips twitched with secret satisfaction.

Nights were lonely.

But not tonight.

Viola would be here.

He wiggled his fingers happily.

But the warmth didn’t last.

His chest prickled.

…What if she finds out I lied?

He had said his heart was racing.

But in truth—

His body felt fine.

Better than fine.

The ache in his skin was gone.

At first, the pounding had startled him.

But after a while, it settled completely.

He hadn’t told her that.

If he said he still felt unwell, she would stay longer.

Being near her made him happy.

He had even felt proud of himself for that small trick.

But once she left, guilt crept in.

It’s not really lying…

He only said he felt anxious.

That wasn’t entirely false.

Still—

He remembered the way she looked at him, worried.

His chest tightened.

Should I tell her?

Just then—

Footsteps outside.

Viola?

He rushed to the door.

But the steps were too light.

Too small.

A young maid?

Impossible.

Servants weren’t allowed on this floor without permission.

“Who are you?”

Through the crack, he saw a face that stunned him.

“…Did Viola shrink?”

Pink cotton-candy hair.

Spring-bud eyes.

She looked exactly like Viola.

Did she take the wrong medicine?

Is that why she’s late?

He blinked.

The girl suddenly flared up.

“Uu! Uu! U!”

Why are you calling my mom like that?!

He didn’t understand the words.

But the fury was obvious.

He studied her more carefully.

Viola doesn’t make that sharp witchy face when she’s angry.

This isn’t Viola.

Similar—but sharper.

The eyes.

They were slightly upturned.

Like his uncle’s.

Then it clicked.

Viola has a daughter.

This must be her.

The reason Viola always rushed home at night.

A rival.

He straightened instinctively.

She looked about four.

He was six.

Clearly older.

But—

Why doesn’t she look intimidated?

Even adults shrank under his gaze.

Yet this small creature stood firm.

He could feel it now.

Holy power.

As dragon-blooded, he could sense it clearly.

It was immense.

Almost saint-like.

And yet—

She wasn’t afraid.

She stomped her tiny foot angrily at him.

“What is this kid…?”

For the first time in his life—

Jaden felt challenged by someone shorter than his waist.