WCMBI - Chapter 227: Oh Happy Times! (Patreon)

With cautious effort, he finally managed to open the door, and even then, it took him a considerable time to take a step inside the room where Melissa had stayed. As he entered, he let out a deep sigh, reminiscing about the events from a few months ago. That midnight awakening in the corridor outside this very room, when he had been utterly bewildered due to his lack of understanding of the language.

Seated in the corridor, lost in thought, he observed Henry and Pedro, who had come to find him, and only then did he learn the truth that he had been coming to this place every night.

He couldn't decide whether he should be angry at Henry's desire to keep that fact hidden until the end, or if he should feel sorrowful about it. During unconscious moments of slumber, he found it both ludicrous and daunting to witness his body yearn so intensely for Melissa, his long-lost Omega. Despite the blatant signs he had been giving away, he had been blind to his own feelings.

"Mel, how I long for you."

What if she never returned to his side? Time relentlessly passed by, and yet there was no trace of his Omega anywhere.

This place, where traces of her lingered most vividly, was like a sanctuary to him, demanding utmost caution in his every action. Slowly, he approached the bed.

Unable to open his eyes due to the poison, he had feared losing her and had chosen to lock himself in this space, fettered by chains. Melissa had reluctantly accepted this forced and selfish decision, knowing it was an act of manipulation.

Ever since the chains had been clamped on, he had not set foot on the balcony. When he opened the door to the annex, she would greet him from this bed. It felt as though she might wake up and welcome him, but the stark reality of the empty bed shook him awake.

Sitting on the bed's edge, he tenderly caressed the spot where Melissa had always rested, uttering words to her gently.

"I've finally found a clue, Mel."

Though locating the whereabouts of Matap would not be an easy task, it was certainly better than wandering aimlessly in the boundless sea.

"Seems like Matapju might have seen you, and he got angry at me for it."

Pedro's words stabbed his heart with immense pain. Who could that Omega, who had melded their heart and body with his own, possibly be? Could it be you?

"I wish it were you who got angry with me in person."

He would have done anything if only he could see Melissa expressing her emotions right before his eyes. But Pedro had disappeared, leaving him with ambiguous words, leaving him puzzled. As he gently smoothed the bedding, his grip tightened, wrinkling the fabric.

The mere thought that another Alpha might have seen the traces of his yet-unmet Omega made his blood boil in reverse. Ian momentarily controlled his rising anger, eventually releasing the tension. He couldn't recklessly disturb the remnants of her presence; it was something he could not afford to do.

"Ah, Mel..."

He lay back on the bed, exhaling softly while burying his face in the pillow and bedding she had used. He deeply inhaled, trying to sense any lingering pheromones of his Omega, knowing that her scent would no longer grace him.

[Sigh] "Huh.."

Compulsively breathing in and out, he gradually relaxed. His body, deprived of proper rest for several days, quickly surrendered to the comfort of slumber.

As he recalled Melissa, he softly exhaled, finally able to drift off to sleep. The uncertainty of how long this respite would last was indeterminable, but for the time being, Ian closed his eyes, cherishing the honeyed tranquility, fervently hoping to meet her, even if only in his dreams.

* * *

Having received support from the emperor, Ian devoted himself to finding the Matap, behaving like a madman. His first target was the ancestral home of Count Bailey, the homeland of Pedro.

"The count doesn't know anything about it, does he?"

"Yes, they say he has never visited his ancestral home since he left the Matap Duchy."

"Then at least find my mother's grave."

"Understood."

Considering how he dreaded his mother, wouldn't he visit her even once a year?

No matter how long it took, it didn't matter. As long as he could meet Pedro again. With that prospect, he could endure anything if it meant recovering his Omega.

"Deploy the Imperial Knights and troops to various parts of the empire along with the Matap disguises."

"We shall comply with your orders."

After the departure of the knight commander, Ian purchased documents related to Rosewood County from his aide.

"Is Alex gathering people?"

"Yes, they seem to be mostly individuals who hold grudges against our duchy."

"Heh, it's not even amusing."

In his heart, he wanted to dispose of Monica immediately. After prolonged torture, Sinyangjang finally spilled all the truth. Moreover, he had captured both the elusive mabu and his wife.

But that was the limit. There was one reason why he didn't take direct action.

"I am not the one to conclude this matter."

The person who had endured consistent torment and life-threatening situations was Melissa. When she returned, she would bring with her precious sins entwined with his collar.

"Do not let her escape, maintain heightened surveillance. Also, place a spy between Alex and his group. They might entertain foolish ideas."

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Well, at least you are more astute than the previous count."