A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father Chapter 48

Chapter 48

“…Ah, Master.”

As his condition had worsened, Jaden Ashellen had stopped attending sword lessons. It had been a long time since he last faced his instructor.

Instead of greeting him brightly, the boy instinctively shrank back.

Like someone who had done something wrong.

“Straighten your shoulders. I have told you—Dragon Blood must always carry themselves with dignity.”

At the stern rebuke, Jaden hurriedly corrected his posture, though his expression remained subdued.

Then, as if nothing had happened, Morden Barnes returned to his usual polished politeness.

“Congratulations on your recovery.”

Though phrased as praise, the words felt suffocating.

There was always something unspoken in Morden’s presence—something heavy pressing down on Jaden’s chest.

He had been pretending not to see it.

Clenching his eyes shut, he finally forced out a trembling confession.

“M-Master… I… the medicine…”

Even saying that much made his shoulders shake.

Like a child bracing for punishment.

But Morden’s answer was unexpected.

“You did well.”

“…Pardon?”

“We cannot afford to lose precious Dragon Blood.”

His voice remained cold.

“You may have lost the pride of Dragon Blood, but in the end, you survived. That is commendable.”

Lost his pride.

For Dragon Blood—beings meant to stand alone—that meant relying on something external.

On someone else.

The implications froze Jaden’s heart.

His face twisted with shame.

“….”

Morden studied the boy silently before continuing.

“Now that you have recovered, we can resume the sword training you have neglected. Can we not?”

Jaden’s eyes widened.

“Training… isn’t allowed yet…”

He should have said that Viola had warned him to be cautious.

That she had forbidden strenuous activity for now.

But beneath Morden’s gaze, it felt like disobedience.

Like betrayal.

The words died in his throat.

Silence pressed heavily around them.

“If you idle away like this, what will His Grace think of you?”

His Grace.

Kain Ashellen.

At the name, Jaden’s gaze wavered.

Though their appearances were similar, Kain was a true bearer of Dragon Blood.

He himself felt like an imitation.

Gulp.

“You seem to have forgotten,” Morden continued softly, “that you are Dragon Blood.”

“….”

“Should you not grow stronger?”

It sounded like a question.

It was not.

After a long hesitation, Jaden nodded.

Only then did Morden’s lips curl into a faint, crooked smile.

Satisfied, he turned and left without another word.

Morden

“Pathetic.”

Born of Dragon Blood—yet languishing like this.

There had been a time when Morden placed hope in the boy, seeing how closely he resembled his uncle.

But in the end, Jaden was nothing more than a pale reflection of his father.

Did the dragon’s blessing end with Kain Ashellen?

Twenty years ago, when Morden first met Kain, he had trembled.

Beautiful.

Magnificent.

Eyes devoid of emotion.

An existence so absolute it felt as if the world lay beneath his feet.

Though only a child then, Morden—already a Swordmaster—had broken into a cold sweat.

It was only after feeling that overwhelming presence that he understood.

This is the one I must serve.

Morden Barnes was commander of the Silver Dragon Knights of Ashellen and head of the long-serving Baronial House Vanz.

To him, the Ashellen line—heirs of Dragon Blood—were not merely rulers.

They were faith.

And their vassals were chosen devotees.

For the sake of true Dragon Blood—Kain Ashellen—Morden would do anything.

Even stain his hands in blood.

To serve Dragon Blood.

That alone gave meaning to his existence.

Kain’s Office

In the quiet office, Conrad delivered his report with steady composure.

“We have yet to secure a dedicated healer for the knights.”

“Still?”

“Yes. After my previous report, I instructed Knight Commander Morden to resolve the matter. As the position remains vacant, it appears deliberate.”

Kain paused, fingers resting against the documents.

Morden Barnes was… complicated.

Head of House Vanz.

A Swordmaster who had surpassed human limits.

A man who willingly chose to become the dragon’s blade.

Favored by the previous duke, his influence among the retainers remained strong.

Though the Silver Dragon Knights served the ducal house, their commander held significant autonomy during crises.

“And he is using that authority to dismiss healers and obstruct replacements.”

It was technically within his rights.

But it could no longer be overlooked.

“Assign a temporary healer.”

“….”

Silence.

Kain lifted his gaze.

Conrad adjusted his glasses.

“Lady Viola has already agreed to assist.”

Kain’s brow shifted slightly.

“Following the recent incident at the training grounds, Sir Eugene Hart requested her aid.”

Kain leaned back.

Of course she had.

The training grounds were nowhere near the annex, yet she had run there without hesitation.

A faint smile touched his lips.

Like a restless squirrel, she wandered everywhere—forming connections as she pleased.

Eugene Hart was not an easy man.

A commoner who rose to become the third strongest in the order.

Proud. Guarded.

For him to seek help so readily meant the knights had accepted her.

“Shall we appoint someone else instead?” Conrad asked.

Kain shook his head.

If the matter was already settled, there was no need to intervene.

And truthfully—

There was no better candidate.

Treating knights required more than skill. It required presence.

She did not shrink even before him.

And her competence needed no debate.

The only concern was whether she would overextend herself.

“…We have received help we did not ask for.”

But one thought lingered.

“I hope this does not invite unnecessary trouble.”

Conrad understood without further explanation.

Morden Barnes.

Three years had passed since Kain inherited the title.

Until recently, monster subjugations had consumed his attention. Now that the territory stabilized, he had begun cutting away rot.

Morden remained in a gray zone.

Unquestionably loyal.

Exceptionally capable.

Yet—

Unsettling.

If he had continued the brutality of the previous duke’s era, Kain would have removed him without hesitation.

But Morden had not crossed a line.

Not yet.

How he would treat Viola, however, remained uncertain.

Especially given his disdain for commoners.

“I will monitor the situation,” Conrad said calmly.

Kain nodded.

The report was nearly complete.

But one final matter remained.

Conrad withdrew an envelope and placed it on the desk.

“One last message.”

Kain’s gaze fell on the golden eagle seal.

Imperial.

He opened it.

There is an important matter to discuss. Present yourself at the palace at your earliest convenience.

After reading it silently, Kain spoke.

“It seems I will be occupied for some time.”

A summons.

From the Emperor.