Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 109

Just as he was about to succumb to temptation and reach out, Brianna swiftly covered her upper body with the sheet.

“Are you worrying about me, or are you trying to make me someone who can’t do anything without you?”

Brianna gazed at him steadily, her eyes full of dissatisfaction.

“If I were to pressure you into canceling your plans today for another reason, would you simply comply? No, you wouldn’t.”

Lucius was rendered speechless. He had never expected to be on the receiving end of such criticism.

“It would be reassuring to have you and Mother by my side, but that’s only temporary. In the end, this is something I have to handle on my own.”

He had momentarily forgotten. Brianna had a gentle nature, but she was also brave enough to jump in front of a moving carriage. Once she made a decision, she acted boldly—almost recklessly.

That recklessness was one of the reasons he had fallen for her. Back then, he had chastised her for it, yet in the end, it was precisely what had made him love her.

“If it’s something I have to face anyway, I don’t want to avoid it. So I won’t be canceling my plans today.”

The Dowager Countess of Linares had not found a man who would protect Brianna for life; instead, she had placed a gun in her hands. A woman who had grown up with such an upbringing would never blindly obey her husband’s words.

And she would continue to live her life resolutely, with or without him. Sometimes, that thought filled Lucius with fear.

“Lucius, are you listening to me?”

She called out to him as he was lost in thought. Lucius set aside his thoughts and nodded.

“I understand. Do as you wish.”

Lucius placed his hands on Brianna’s white shoulders and pulled her into his embrace. Burying his lips in the curve of her neck, he murmured softly.

“But don’t forget that you have me and my mother by your side now. We will always be there to support you.”

At his words, Brianna let out a small chuckle, responding with a quiet “Yes” before nestling into his arms.

Before long, Brianna murmured that she was sleepy. Lucius told her to sleep a little longer, gently patting her body. After a few yawns, she soon drifted off, her breath settling into a soft rhythm.

It was a peaceful morning—so much so that it felt like a dream. As Lucius gazed at the woman sleeping defenselessly in his arms, a thought crossed his mind.

Perhaps he wanted to turn this woman—who was perfectly capable of living on her own—into a delicate flower kept safe inside a glass greenhouse.

A beautiful yet fragile flower that could only thrive with the sunlight, nourishment, and water he provided.

If that were her fate, maybe the fear that she could leave him at any moment would ease, even just a little.

***

A beautiful woman appeared in the mirror.

Golden hair, jewel-like blue eyes. Flawless, porcelain skin and lush lips tinted a deep red.

When she first debuted in high society, everyone had praised her beauty. With such striking features, they had declared, she would undoubtedly become the most dazzling flower of the social scene.

Indeed, she had been considered the most beautiful among not only the young debutantes that year but among all noble ladies. Men had scrambled to exchange even a single word with her, and she was never without a dance partner. Those who had the honor of dancing with her were said to be chosen by a goddess.

Watching the countless men who flocked to her, she had thought to herself—only the best man would suit someone like her.

And that man was none other than Lucius Carlisle. A man who shone even without a title. A man whose talents were more than enough to secure a noble rank on his own.

Until just a month ago, she had been certain that he would be hers. Just as it had always been, everything she desired seemed to come effortlessly into her hands.

Until that woman appeared.

Adelheid bit her red-stained lips hard. In the mirror, the reflection of a woman filled with venomous rage stared back at her, her lips twisted in resentment.

She cursed and resented the woman who had turned her into this.

If it weren’t for her, I would be Duchess Carlisle right now.

“My lady, a letter has arrived.”

Adelheid watched through the mirror as her maid approached. The maid placed a wax-sealed envelope neatly atop the vanity.

After her engagement to Lucius Carlisle was broken, countless marriage proposals began flooding in for Adelheid. However, every time she opened one of those letters, she became even more irritable.

If before, she had been a tree too high for anyone to climb, now she was a tree marked by the stain of a broken engagement—just low enough for men to try and reach. Even penniless beggars with not a single title to their name were proposing to her, which only deepened her resentment toward Brianna.

Her maid, fully aware of the situation, merely placed the letter down and quickly left the room, wary of disturbing her mood.

“What kind of fool is it this time?”

Adelheid picked up the envelope and checked the sender’s name first. It read: Franz Linares.

“Franz Linares?”

It was an entirely unfamiliar name. Some country bumpkin, no doubt, foolishly thinking he could marry above his station. She was about to toss the letter straight into the trash when something about the name “Linares” struck her as oddly familiar.

“Linares… Linares of Harzen?”

Muttering to herself, Adelheid stared at the name written on the envelope. If her memory was correct, Harzen was that woman’s hometown. Why would someone from her hometown be sending her a letter?

Instead of discarding it, Adelheid broke the wax seal. Inside was an astonishing proposition.

***

“Hm, yes. This is the best choice.”

Veronica, satisfied, turned to Brianna and asked, “What do you think, Brie?”

Brianna looked at her reflection in the mirror. The dress she was wearing was a vibrant teal, dyed in a refreshing shade. Delicate white floral embroidery shimmered faintly across the glossy silk fabric.

She quickly nodded. “I like this one the best too.”

In truth, every dress she had tried on so far was beautiful, and she liked them all. The real problem was that they were running out of time.

“Great, then this is the dress. As for your hairpiece… Yes, flowers would suit you best. Let’s go with floral decorations!”

With the dress decided, it was time to choose accessories. Under Veronica’s direction, the maids immediately set to work on Brianna’s hair.

They carefully brushed her dark brown locks, braided them neatly, and twisted them into a low bun at the nape of her neck. Then, they began weaving delicate white flowers into the updo. Watching this, Veronica clicked her tongue and muttered under her breath.

“That Luce—he’s so careless. He should have known better, especially on a day like today. Tsk!”

Hearing her grumble about Lucius made Brianna’s face flush red.

Originally, today’s dress had already been chosen in advance. It had a deep neckline, meant to showcase the necklace Lucius had gifted her as a wedding present.

But that morning, when the maid assisting her with her bath caught sight of the red marks left on her body, she had gasped in shock. Apparently, the kiss marks were too visible, making the dress impossible to wear.

Since the dress had to be changed, so did the jewelry and hair accessories. Given that she had already overslept, wasting even more time deciding everything from scratch left her feeling incredibly anxious.

When she turned to Veronica for help, she had practically beamed, as if she had been waiting for Brianna to ask.

“Brianna, don’t just let Luce have his way all the time. I know you’re newlyweds, and he’s young and full of passion, but if you give in to him every time, he’ll just keep pushing his luck. Men only know how to take; they never think to hold back…”

Every time Veronica gave such advice, Brianna wanted to shrink into herself in embarrassment. Do real mothers and daughters talk so openly about these things?

Truthfully, Lucius hadn’t been entirely inconsiderate. Just this morning, he had held back. Even though she had been in his arms, she had felt the heavy press of his arousal against her, yet he hadn’t acted on it.

Brianna absently traced her fingers over the hidden marks on her chest. Compared to their first night, Lucius had been even more persistent in leaving his imprint on her. He must not have liked seeing his marks fade.

Should she ask him to avoid kissing near her collarbone from now on, since it interfered with her dresses?

Or… should she just let him kiss her lips instead?

As the thought crossed her mind, she found herself absentmindedly touching her lips. The moment she realized what she was doing, she froze in shock.

What am I thinking?