A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father Chapter 41

Chapter 41

“Waaah. We’re buying new clothes—this is so exciting, right?”

I forced brightness into my voice, trying to crack the ice inside the carriage.

Replies came immediately.

“Uuu!”
“Y-yeah, I’m excited!”
“…I see.”

And that was it.

All three of them answered me.

None of them answered each other.

I had somehow become a communication relay tower.

Why are you all looking at me?!

At this rate, Kain and Jaden won’t exchange a single word.

Maybe I should’ve seated them closer together…

But the moment we boarded, Jaden naturally claimed the seat beside me.

So now Melody was on my right, Jaden on my left, and Kain sat alone across from us.

Facing me.

This is a disaster.

Just as I was giving up and retreating into silent despair—

“Viola.”

“Yes?”

Kain leaned forward and reached toward me.

“There’s dust in your hair.”

His fingers were just about to brush my hair—

“Hk—!”

Jaden flinched violently at my side.

It wasn’t subtle.

It was the raw, instinctive reaction of prey spotting a predator.

Kain’s hand paused midair.

He quietly brushed the dust away and withdrew.

Expressionless.

We’re doomed.

The silence deepened.

This is going terribly.

I shot my hand up.

“I have a proposal!”

“Uuu!”
“In favor!”

What—?

Melody had already raised her hand in cheerful agreement.

Jaden, not wanting to lose, hurriedly said,

“I—I’m in favor too!”

You don’t even know what it is yet!

But fine.

Majority vote.

Motion passed.

“After we buy clothes, let’s all eat together! Somewhere delicious!”

Jaden made a split-second oh no face.

Too late, Young Master.

“Duke, is that alright?”

“It’s already a majority decision.”

He gave a faint shrug.

“Then it’s settled!”

The carriage slowed.

We had arrived.

Winterwald’s Boutique District

The moment we stepped down, glittering storefronts stretched before us like a jeweled river.

“Waaah…”

Winterwald really was vast.

This district was far more luxurious than the one I’d seen before—clearly meant for nobles.

“Even silk gloves are this elegant…”

I paused in front of one display window, mesmerized.

They were men’s gloves.

I had absolutely no reason to buy them.

But the understated refinement drew my eyes.

“Mom? U?”

Melody tugged my skirt.

Up ahead, Jaden waved excitedly.

“Viola! This way!”

Ah—right!

Pulling myself together, I hurried after him.

We entered the largest boutique on the street.

Ding-ling.

The bell chimed.

Inside, velvet carpeting cushioned every step. Dresses and suits were displayed like artwork.

Melody and I stared, dazzled.

Kain and Jaden, meanwhile, looked completely at ease.

The moment the door shut behind us, Kain removed the outer robe he’d been wearing.

Silver hair fell into view.

In an instant, he was unmistakably the Duke of Ashellen.

The boutique madam bowed smoothly.

“We received word in advance. Welcome, Your Grace.”

…Word in advance?

Wait.

Is that why the entire boutique is empty?

Did he… rent it out?

“Ghk—”

A painfully country-bumpkin sound escaped me.

Kain glanced over.

“What is it?”

“N-nothing!”

My heart was racing.

I only meant to take the kids out.

Why did this escalate to private-boutique scale?!

Still.

Money really is powerful.

The kids’ faces were glowing.

That alone made it worth it.

Dress-Up

“Oh my gosh, she’s so cute!”

Melody twirled in a pale pink lace dress.

A wide mint-green ribbon tied at her waist fluttered like butterfly wings.

I nearly dissolved on the spot.

I really couldn’t afford outfits like this before…

Have I been wasting Melody’s beauty all this time?!

I was covering my mouth to keep from squealing when—

“Viola! Look!”

The fitting-room curtain swept aside dramatically.

Jaden stepped out.

White shirt.

Deep red vest.

Perfect little young master.

Except—

His collar was popped up absurdly high like some sort of defensive lizard.

He shrugged smugly.

“Cool, right?”

I nearly burst out laughing.

I started to fix it—

Then stopped.

No.

That wasn’t today’s purpose.

I glanced toward the wall.

Kain stood there, leaning quietly.

Observing.

Not interfering.

Exactly as I feared.

Clapping enthusiastically, I deliberately flicked my eyes toward him.

“Waaah, Young Master—you look so handsome!”

“Really?”

“Of course! Go show the Duke too! Hurry!”

Kain

Kain had understood the moment they entered the carriage.

The clothes were an excuse.

Viola wanted him and Jaden to grow closer.

But that wasn’t something goodwill could fix.

Whenever he spoke, Jaden flinched.

Conrad once explained it bluntly:

It was the dragon-blood aura.

Even suppressed, it unsettled people.

Perhaps the first button had been fastened wrong from the beginning.

He had inherited these children after his brother and sister-in-law died.

He had intended to fulfill his duty.

But he could never replace their parents.

And monsters had surged across the territory the moment he inherited the ducal title.

He had rarely been home.

Even if he had—

Would it have mattered?

His own mother once called him a monster.

If the woman who bore him feared him, how could he expect a child not to?

So yes, he saw Viola’s effort.

But he knew his role.

Do not interfere.

Let the children enjoy themselves.

Pay the bill quietly.

That was enough.

Conrad once joked:

A proper terrifying superior attends dinner silently and handles the payment.

This was not a subordinate gathering—

But the principle held.

Stay back.

“Waaah, Young Master—you look so handsome!”

“Really?”

“Go show the Duke!”

Kain met Viola’s pointed look.

Answer him.

It won’t work.

No matter what he says, Jaden will retreat.

“…Huh?”

Jaden startled at the suggestion.

Normally, he would’ve stepped back immediately.

Instead—

He hesitated.

Then took one step forward.

And another.

Slow.

Careful.

Toward Kain.

…He listens to Viola with astonishing obedience.

Kain straightened unconsciously.

For the first time—

Jaden stopped directly in front of him.

Looking up.