A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father Chapter 38

Chapter 38

“Alright, then. If that’s what both you and Melody want.”

Success.

Complete victory.

Jaden and Melody’s faces brightened at the exact same time.

“But Melody,” I added in a stern tone, “if you sneak out of your room again like today, you’re getting scolded. What if you got lost? Next time, you come with Mom, okay?”

“U!”

I tried to sound strict.

It didn’t work.

Both of them were grinning like they had just conquered the world.

In the end, they “played” for quite a while.

Or rather—

They pretended to play.

They bickered quietly.

Glared at each other.

Then the moment they noticed me watching, they would flash identical awkward smiles.

We are absolutely best friends.

Ridiculously adorable.

They had clearly schemed something together.

And I decided to let them believe they’d fooled me.

Kids squabbling at first is normal.

As long as it didn’t turn serious, they would naturally grow close.

And in the original story, Jaden had practically worshipped his little sister.

He must have reached out first.

Even if he didn’t like her barging in at first.

I gently patted Jaden’s sleeping head.

His expression was far more relaxed than it had been earlier.

Having a peer around really helps.

His anxiety was almost gone.

Melody too—though she had acted grumpy, she’d secretly been excited.

I wiped a little drool from her cheek.

The two of them, sprawled side by side, looked like tiny angels.

Maybe the warm atmosphere got to me too.

Haaam—

I yawned before I realized it.

I should stay awake.

I sat in the chair beside the bed and tried to keep my eyes open.

But sleep claimed me quietly.

Late That Night

Kain set down his fountain pen.

Come to think of it…

Today marked the beginning of Jaden’s true treatment.

Until now, it had only been suppression.

From today onward, it was meant to cure.

No reports had reached him.

That meant nothing had gone wrong.

And yet—

For years, the disease had been labeled incurable.

He stood, intending to return to his room.

Then changed direction.

Normally, he avoided visiting first.

Jaden feared him.

But tonight—

He would at least confirm from afar.

Just once.

He moved silently toward the third floor.

At the end of the corridor, where Jaden’s isolated room stood—

A thin line of light spilled from beneath the door.

Unusual.

Kain erased his presence and stepped inside.

The first person he saw was not Jaden.

It was Viola.

Asleep in a chair.

Head nodding forward.

Pink hair spilling down like a curtain.

On the bed beside her, Jaden and Melody were sprawled in disarray.

He paused.

Had she fallen asleep while watching over them?

“Mm…”

Her head dipped forward with a soft thud.

Before he realized it, his hand had reached out.

He gently tucked her hair behind her ear.

Her face was pale in the lamplight.

She must have been exhausted.

She had claimed she couldn’t walk tonight because of Jaden’s treatment—

And yet here she was.

Wearing herself out caring for his nephew.

Kain’s gaze shifted to Jaden.

No tension.

No clenched jaw.

No restless stiffness.

Had he ever seen the boy sleep this peacefully?

The medicine had begun working.

No—

More than that.

Since this woman arrived, everything had shifted.

Jaden.

The estate.

Himself.

Kain looked down at Viola again.

If she was going to sleep, she should at least sleep properly.

Her thin neck bent at an uncomfortable angle.

Fragile.

He slid one arm beneath her knees and the other behind her back.

She was absurdly light.

As he lifted her—

“Mm…”

She murmured softly and instinctively burrowed against his chest.

Searching for warmth.

A silent, incredulous breath left him.

Did she realize who was holding her?

If she did, that was a problem.

If she didn’t—

That was an even bigger one.

He carried her to the sofa near the fireplace and laid her down gently.

“Mmh… cold…”

So there exists someone who orders me for blankets.

He draped a thick throw over her.

Her expression softened instantly.

A faint smile curved her lips.

That smile—

The one she sometimes gave him.

He hadn’t expected to see it again tonight.

He stood there for a long moment.

Then—

Click.

The bright lamp dimmed, and darkness settled into the room.

He stepped out quietly.

Beyond the corridor window, the moon hung serene and distant.

A Few Days Later

Knock, knock.

Before I even finished knocking—

“Viola? Come in! Hurry!”

His voice sounded unusually bright.

Smiling, I opened the door.

And paused.

There was someone else inside.

A woman stood beside Jaden’s bed.

Around my age.

But the aura was completely different.

Tall.

Posture perfectly straight.

Long-limbed but solid.

Her features weren’t delicate.

They were sharp.

Handsome, almost.

She noticed me and bowed with impeccable composure.

“Are you Lady Viola? It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Sylvien Barnes.”

Ah.

Sylvien.

I’d heard the name from Becky.

“The internal affairs of the ducal house are overseen by Lady Sylvien, from one of the vassal families.”

After the former young duke and duchess passed away, the position of duchess had remained vacant.

Sylvien—who had been favored by the late duchess—had stepped into the role of acting administrator.

I’d heard she’d been away on assignment.

She must have just returned.

I bowed quickly.

“Hello! I’m Viola. I’m in charge of Young Master Jaden’s treatment.”

“I’m aware. Even while I was away, I received reports.”

Her expression shifted slightly.

Then she bowed again.

Deeper.

More formally.

“I apologize for the hardship you endured.”

“Huh? No—! That’s not necessary! It didn’t even happen while you were here!”

I waved my hands frantically.

She must be referring to Celia.

How could that possibly be her responsibility?

But Sylvien’s voice remained calm and unwavering.

“Even so. I oversee internal affairs. An incident occurred in my absence. It is correct that I apologize.”

No excuses.

No emotional dramatics.

Just principle.

…She’s impressive.

“It truly wasn’t personal,” I insisted gently. “It was work. Please don’t burden yourself.”

She seemed ready to bow again—

When Jaden abruptly interrupted.

“Viola! Look at this!”

He waved a sheet of paper in the air.

“Oh? What is it?”

“My brother sent a letter!”

Ah.

Noah Ashellen.

The gentle eldest brother at the academy.

In the original story, he adored Melody.

A classic doting-older-brother type.

I stepped closer.

“Well? What does it say?”