Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 1
Prologue
It was a bouquet full of beautiful flowers.
Pink hydrangeas, white peonies, calla lilies, and amaryllis.
Brianna gently brushed her fingertips over the pink petals of the hydrangeas. The flower’s meaning was said to be a sincere and honest heart. The white peonies signified a happy marriage, the calla lilies eternal love, and the amaryllis was dazzlingly beautiful.
However, none of these meanings mattered to Brianna. This marriage she was about to enter was not real but merely a contract. The thought of the soon-to-be false vows of love made her realize how unfitting these flowers were for her situation.
“Miss Brianna, you look stunning today,” a maid said, her voice full of admiration.
Lost in her thoughts, Brianna raised her head at the sound of the compliment. The maids, their faces flushed with excitement, had eyes that sparkled. When Brianna gave them a clear smile, the room was instantly filled with laughter.
“It’s true,” one maid said, “I’ve never seen a bride more beautiful than Miss Brianna.”
“Well,” another chimed in, “it’s because the Duke cherishes her so much. A bride loved by her groom always shines.”
“That’s right. The Duke must have been so eager to marry Miss Brianna to hasten the wedding like this. He’s usually not one to rush things,” added a third.
The maids chattered with voices more excited than the bride’s, and Brianna forced herself to summon a bright smile. They believed the master of this grand mansion had harbored a long affection for her and had finally proposed.
But it was all lies and deceit.
After all, just a few months ago, she had been set to marry another man. If her fiancé hadn’t died so suddenly, and if she hadn’t faced unforeseen difficulties afterward, she would never be in this position today.
The world knew nothing of these intricate details. It wouldn’t benefit one of the kingdom’s most powerful men for it to be known that he had agreed to a contract marriage. He wanted them to appear as just an ordinary couple in the eyes of others.
‘So I mustn’t look gloomy. Brianna, you must smile brighter,’ she reminded herself, lifting the corners of her lips.
Today, she had to wear the face of the happiest bride in the world, chosen by the man every lady in the kingdom admired. This was her way of repaying the person who had willingly extended a hand when she found herself in a difficult situation.
“It’s all done. Would you like to take a look in the mirror?” one of the maids asked.
Before she knew it, the preparations were complete. Brianna slowly rose, following the maid’s guidance. Her teal eyes widened in amazement at the reflection in the large mirror.
The cream-colored silk, shimmering like pearls, flowed smoothly over her curves. The dress was simple in design without any large decorations, but the small jewels embedded throughout the skirt sparkled under the lights, creating an even more splendid effect. Her brown hair, adorned with white flower decorations, cascaded naturally over one shoulder, perfectly complementing the dress.
Brianna stared, entranced, at the unfamiliar woman in the mirror. The country girl had vanished, replaced by an elegant lady who seemed to have been born a noblewoman.
“Though it might feel a bit plain around your neck right now, soon…” the maid began, then abruptly stopped speaking, flinching.
Another maid beside her had hushed her with a gesture. Brianna blinked, and the maid hastily changed the subject.
“By the way, did you know? The Duke prepared dresses and jewels for this wedding that could buy a small castle.”
Brianna couldn’t help but chuckle. “Thank you for the kind words, but that seems a bit exaggerated.”
“It’s true. I heard it myself from the butler. He wouldn’t lie about such things,” one maid insisted.
“That’s right. He’s meticulous and discreet,” another added.
“I heard the Duke chose only the best of the best for you,” said a third.
Thinking back, everything he had given her since the marriage was decided had been consistently precious and excessive. Countless dresses, jewels, carriages, and even horses.
However…
Brianna concealed the bitter smile that tugged at her lips. After all, this was just another ruse to deceive others. By showering her with expensive gifts, he aimed to make people believe she was a happy bride, deeply loved by him.
In truth, he was merely fulfilling a duty to his close friend by taking responsibility for her.
“Miss Brianna, how do you feel? Do you like it?” one of the maids asked eagerly.
Brianna quickly brushed aside the complicated thoughts in her mind. She turned to the maids who had worked hard for her over the past few hours, and she gave them a kind smile.
“I truly love it. Thank you,” she replied warmly.
The maids responded with great joy, bowing slightly in gratitude. At that moment, a knock echoed through the room. The door opened, and the smooth surface of the mirror reflected the image of a man.
He was tall with a sturdy build. His presence, an indescribable aura beyond mere words, filled the room, shifting the atmosphere. The maids quickly stepped back and bowed their heads.
The man did not immediately enter; for some reason, he paused at the door. Their eyes met in the mirror.
Previously, Brianna had always avoided his gaze, feeling an inexplicable discomfort when looking into his deep, dark eyes. But this time, she found herself staring blankly at his reflection.
His black hair, which usually covered his forehead, was neatly slicked back today. This highlighted his sharp eyes, giving him an even more striking appearance. He wore a ceremonial uniform adorned with silver thread, rather than his usual simple attire, making him look even more splendid.
He resembled an ancient god from a classical painting—a figure of strength that seemed unbeatable, combined with a purity devoid of any flaw. A man akin to a noble god of war.
Lucius Carlisle.
At that moment, reality hit her hard, and Brianna gripped the bouquet tightly.
Am I really marrying this man? Is this truly the right choice
To be honest, she felt an overwhelming urge to run away or disappear into the ground. Even though circumstances left her with no other option, this was sheer madness.
Of all things, the condition of this contract marriage was that she would bear his child.
“You need a safe place, and I need an heir to carry on my family line. So how about we do this?”
Lucius’s proposal echoed in her mind, making her lips tremble involuntarily.
Maybe, even now, I should tell him? If I say I can’t go through with this marriage before it’s too late, maybe…
“Brianna,” Lucius’s low, deep voice echoed at that moment.
He began walking towards her, and Brianna watched him approach in the mirror.
The maids, sensing the moment, quickly left the room. By the time he reached her, they were alone.
Brianna wiped away the anxiety that had been visible on her face and practiced the smile she had rehearsed. As she turned to face him properly, a thin, glittering chain appeared before her eyes.
“This is…”
It was a necklace that radiated nobility. Even she, unaccustomed to such finery, could tell at a glance that this was no ordinary piece. The dazzlingly beautiful gem at the end of the chain swung gently.
A teardrop-shaped gemstone gleaming in teal. Numerous diamonds adorned its surroundings. The intricate gold craftsmanship was so delicate it was hard to believe it had been made by human hands.
“It’s a wedding gift. I had it custom-designed, but it took longer to make than I anticipated,” Lucius explained, his voice calm.
For a moment, she felt utterly overwhelmed. A wedding gift? Then what about all the dresses and jewels I’ve received so far?
And he had it custom-designed? Did he personally conceive the design of this jewel? Why? She had countless questions, but there was no opportunity to ask.
He was already reaching behind her neck to fasten the necklace.
MANGA DISCUSSION
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amarisu
i bet he’s in love w her