Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 108

Lucius had been watching Brianna struggle to escape from his embrace for a while. At first, he considered pretending not to notice and simply letting her go. But another part of him felt somewhat indignant that the first thing she wanted to do upon waking was run away.

Was she thinking there was no reason to stay now that their obligation was fulfilled? It would be nice if she stayed in his arms a little longer the morning after sharing a night together.

With that thought, he let out a long sigh, and Brianna froze in the act of lifting his arm. A moment later, she cautiously raised her head, visibly tense. Lucius, his eyes still heavy with sleep, looked down at her lazily.

“…Are you awake?”

Instead of answering, Lucius reached out and stroked Brianna’s hair. His large fingers gently swept through the soft, tousled brown strands spread over the pillow, then tucked a few loose strands neatly behind her ear.

“Did you sleep well?”

As he greeted her, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. Brianna let out a small laugh and returned the greeting.

“I did. Did you sleep well too?”

“Not really. Because of you.”

Perhaps anticipating this response, Brianna didn’t look surprised. Instead, she hesitantly glanced at him.

“…Why?”

“Because you fell asleep in the middle. I wanted to go one more time.”

At his bluntly stated desire, Brianna sucked in a sharp breath.

Everything he said was true. Last night, just as Lucius had begun to harden inside her again, he had tried to move, but Brianna had passed out immediately after her climax. In his desperation, he had cupped her cheek and called her name, but she had remained unresponsive, cruelly oblivious to his frustration.

In the end, Lucius had no choice but to take care of his second need alone in the bathroom. And by morning, he had already resolved that he wouldn’t let her go so easily this time.

“But it’s not like I could do anything to you while you were asleep…”

His hand, which had been caressing her ear, trailed down her slender neck, over her delicate shoulders, and finally reached the smooth expanse of her bare back. As his fingers slowly traced the curve of her spine, Brianna shivered in response.

“Why is your body so weak, and your stamina so poor? Do you even eat properly?”

Brianna’s frame was noticeably more delicate than that of other women. Since he had never seen another woman’s naked body before, he couldn’t be entirely sure, but just holding her fragile wrist made him feel like it could snap with the slightest pressure.

Should he summon the cook and order them to prepare a more nutritious diet for her? As he was seriously contemplating this, Brianna’s voice, laced with indignation, broke his thoughts.

“I think you’re mistaken. Compared to most noblewomen, I actually have much better stamina. I didn’t grow up sheltered in a glass castle. If I seem exhausted, it’s not because of me—it’s because you…”

Brianna trailed off before she could finish her sentence. Lucius smirked, his fingers lazily tracing the curve of her waist.

“…Because of me?”

“Because you’re too… too much…”

As his fingers slid lower, cupping the round swell of her buttock, Brianna bit her lip. The moment he pressed against the cleft between her cheeks and rubbed, her breathing became audibly shaky.

“Ah, Luce…”

Brianna whimpered, her voice quivering. Was she telling him to stop, or, like last night, was she pleading for him to take her again, to thrust deep inside her and drive her to the edge?

Either way, if he pushed her down now, she would part her legs and welcome him without hesitation. They had spent two nights together already, and she had become familiar with their bodies intertwining. Just as she had learned his every move, he now knew exactly how she would respond.

He wanted to bury himself inside her again. To sink his length to the hilt into her wet heat and move wildly, like a beast with only one purpose.

If he licked and bit every inch of her skin, she would cry out and moan as sweetly as she had last night. Just imagining it sent heat rushing through him, making him ache with need.

But instead of giving in to his desire and pushing his fingers inside her slick folds, Lucius only stroked her back gently. Then, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.

He loved being inside her, but he also enjoyed simply lying beside her and talking like this.

“Then how about trying some exercise?”

Acting as if he hadn’t done anything just moments ago, Lucius casually asked. Brianna quickly composed herself and turned the question back on him.

“Exercise?”

“Even aside from bedroom matters, it’s good for your health to build some strength. Is there any particular exercise you’d like to try?”

The common perception was that exercise was for men, but Lucius didn’t want Brianna to live as frail as most noblewomen. He wanted her to experience all the things she hadn’t been able to before, and for that, a healthy body was essential.

“Actually, I’ve always wanted to learn horseback riding.”

Lucius looked slightly surprised at her answer. “You’ve never learned to ride?”

“No. Madam Linares wanted to teach me, but…”

The Dowager Countess of Linares had taught her handmaids far more than a typical noble lady would, but horseback riding had been impossible. After all, it was an activity that would have been far too conspicuous.

Lucius smiled faintly. “Alright. I’ll teach you.”

Brianna’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’ll teach me yourself? But you’re busy. I could learn from someone else…”

Lucius scoffed. If he taught her himself, there would naturally be moments where he had to hold her steady or physically guide her. Was he supposed to let another man do that? Not a chance.

“I can make time, so don’t worry. Oh, by the way, have you done any shooting practice recently?”

Recalling that she knew how to handle a gun, Lucius asked, and Brianna shook her head.

“No. Ever since I came to Bastogne, I haven’t practiced at all.”

“If you don’t practice regularly, your skills will dull. We should do that together next time.”

The two continued discussing various activities they could do together, including going to see the fireworks again—just like they had during St. Riccio’s festival.

“What’s on your schedule today?”

Lucius changed the topic, and Brianna answered with a small smile.

“I’m attending Marchioness Schroeder’s birthday celebration.”

Marchioness Schroeder was a longtime friend of Veronica. Since this was Brianna’s first formal event in high society, she would surely take good care of her.

“Marchioness Schroeder has a gentle nature and is close with my mother. Choosing her gathering for your debut was a wise decision. But my mother has a prior engagement for a charity event, so she won’t be able to accompany you.”

Brianna nodded. “Yes, I’ll be attending in her place.”

Lucius’ gaze immediately sharpened. Of all possible gatherings, a marchioness’s birthday party would be attended by nearly every noble lady of significance in the capital.

That meant Adelheid Kirchner would likely be present as well.

Lucius spoke cautiously, “Brianna, I don’t mean to underestimate you, but wouldn’t it be better if your first social event was one that either my mother or I could attend with you?”

He knew Adelheid all too well. After all, they had been engaged for months and spent considerable time together.

A typical noblewoman would prioritize appearances and either ignore Brianna completely or maintain a cold, distant demeanor. But Adelheid was different. She was selfish, entitled, and fiercely stubborn. More than anything, she couldn’t stand losing something she believed was hers.

Still seething from the marriage, there was no telling what kind of scene Adelheid might cause.

“If possible, I think it would be best if you canceled your attendance today.”

Brianna’s eyes widened immediately. “What? That’s absurd. How can I cancel a planned engagement on such short notice?”

“If you say you’re feeling unwell, the Marchioness will surely understand.”

Brianna, who had been nestled against him, suddenly propped herself up on one elbow. As she did, the blanket slipped down, exposing her full, round breasts.

Lucius’ gaze was immediately drawn to them.

Her milky skin was littered with the marks he had left overnight. The red imprints stood out vividly against the pale flesh. Her nipples, which he had sucked and teased all night, were flushed pink and stiffened from the cool air.

Lucius licked his lips.

Forget the conversation—he suddenly had the overwhelming urge to pin her down again and take those soft breasts into his mouth.