IMMCFC 01

Chapter 01

“Let’s get married.”

I stared blankly at the man in front of me.

His hair shone like silver, his bangs neatly swept back, revealing a cool forehead. Below it, his red eyes.

Was it the sunlight in the garden?

His face looked unrealistically handsome today, catching my eyes—but this wasn’t the time to think about that.

What did I just hear?

“Excuse me?”

I said it without thinking, and Cain narrowed his eyes.

He usually showed little emotion, but today it was hard to read him.

“I don’t understand why you’re surprised. Didn’t you say it yourself? You wanted a contract marriage.”

…Well, I had said that.

This world was like a parenting novel.

To keep my daughter, Melody, and my life safe, I had to get married somehow.

But that didn’t mean I wanted to marry the Duke!

“W-wait, Duke. It’s true I need a contract marriage, but this—!”

Cain was the head of the Ashlern Dukedom, as wealthy and powerful as the royal family.

He had the impossible beauty expected of a father figure in a parenting story.

He might have some personality flaws from dragon blood… but still, he was the perfect husband.

And me?

In society, I was just a single mother, abandoned by men and raising a child alone.

Even if I was pretending for some reason, that was how it looked outwardly.

‘If we do a contract marriage, we’ll eventually divorce…’

I didn’t mind, but I didn’t want to leave a mark on Cain’s life. I already owed him so much—I couldn’t do that.

Feeling guilty, I shouted,

“You don’t have to sacrifice yourself! I’ll find someone else—I can handle it—!”

At that moment, a complex expression flashed across Cain’s usually emotionless face.

Was he angry? Or hurt?

He frowned and looked at me with dark eyes.

“I want to ask instead. You’re here with someone who promised to protect you and Melody, and you want to marry someone else?”

I hadn’t heard anything about marriage in that contract. I had the words on the tip of my tongue, but his fierce gaze made me shut my mouth.

Cain stepped closer.

“I don’t understand. Am I not enough as your contract husband? Not good enough for you?”

N-no. Not at all. You’re more than enough…

I shook my head reflexively.

Then his lips curved slightly.

“Then, have I not given you enough trust?”

Yes… you have…

I was about to nod when I remembered myself.

“That’s not it, but marriage is still another matter—!”

“I’ll treat both you and the child with care. So, Viola.”

He gripped my hand tightly, staring into my eyes.

“Marry me.”

His deep, sweet voice made my throat dry.

“Contract marriage… you mean that, right?”

Cain didn’t answer but smiled faintly, lips curved smoothly.

How did it come to this?

I remembered a few months ago…

“Viola, are you there?”

“Yes! Just a moment!”

I hurriedly opened the apothecary door at the call.

Phew. There’s barely time to breathe today.

Grinding herbs, making ointments, organizing… busy, busy.

The village’s only apothecary and clinic kept me working constantly.

And of course, I had to buy necessary herbs too.

“You came early! Thanks for always coming here. Must be a hassle.”

“Haha, I’m just passing by.”

James scratched his nose, embarrassed. Passing by, my foot. Such a clear lie.

‘What a sincere person.’

Not just James—the people of Heyron village were overall kind.

That’s why Melody and I adapted well here.

‘It’s already been a year since we settled here.’

I had worries, of course. First time in the countryside, and publicly a single mother.

‘Could I really raise a three-year-old well…?’

But the villagers treated us kindly. Thanks to them, we even have this little apothecary.

James placed a bundle of herbs on the table.

“Are these the herbs we discussed yesterday?”

“Yes, yes! That’s fine!”

As I organized them, a thought struck me.

“Ah, by the way! Do you have any Spikeleaf? I’m running out.”

“I don’t think we can get any for a while…”

“What? Spikeleaf? Why?”

“A noble seems to have bought a lot at a high price. Even herb sellers from the next village came and cleared it out.”

My eyes widened.

Why that herb? It’s gentle enough for children, but weak in effect.

James shrugged, unfazed, but I felt something odd.

‘Something’s suspicious.’

I knew a hidden property of Spikeleaf…

…Could it be?

A noble family came to mind, but I shook my head.

‘No point thinking about it. I’m no longer a noble lady anyway.’

I was long kicked out of my family. No need to worry about nobles.

“By the way, Viola,” James said.

“Yes?”

“Did you hear about the festival in the lower village?”

Festival? My thoughts brightened immediately.

“Of course! I was thinking of going with Melody.”

“Ahem… maybe we could go together—”

“Whoa!”

Just then, Melody ran around us excitedly.

“Melody~ don’t run!”

“Uu.”

“Careful, it’s dangerous in the shop. We’ll go out later.”

She pouted but obeyed. I laughed—always acting grown-up, but still a child.

I hugged her and remembered James was speaking.

“Sorry! Can you say that again?”

“Ah, yes!”

He started, but Melody jumped into my arms, interrupting him.

“Mommy!”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

“Uu, mommy…”

She pointed at the kitchen. Hungry already?

“James, sorry. We keep interrupting. Let’s finish talking later. Thank you for today!”

I quickly paid, and James walked away looking a bit defeated.

“Hehe…”

“What’s with that suspicious laugh?”

“Uu!”

Melody shrugged, then jumped from my arms toward the kitchen.

I started slicing bread I bought this morning.

“What snack should I make? Bread with grape jam? Or cheese and flower-shaped ham?”

I was confident decorating food nicely for Melody.

“Uu!”

But she suddenly shook her head. I thought she was hungry just now.

She patted her full tummy. Strange behavior…

“Ah.”

I pricked my finger with the knife. Ouch. Today is really weird.

“Mommy?”

“Just a small cut. It’ll heal fast with medicine.”

I smiled awkwardly, but Melody looked horrified.

Then a golden energy spread from her hands, and my cut healed instantly.

I froze in disbelief.

“Uh…? Holy power?”

It was strong—enough to heal instantly. But why Melody?

She stared at me wide-eyed, like she had revealed a secret she shouldn’t have.

Then—

Ugh!

A sudden headache hit as memories of my past life flooded in.

“Mommy?”

Melody called, but I couldn’t answer.

A strong truth filled my mind:

Parenting Novel Law #1: The heroine’s mother always dies at the beginning.

This world was the parenting novel I had read in my past life.

The protagonist was Melody.

That means… I’m the heroine’s mother.

What? Save me!