Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 111

The two of them walked to the very front of the table. Then, the Marchioness Schroeder turned to address everyone.

“Before we begin, I must first introduce someone special. We are honored to have the Duchess of Carlisle grace us with her presence today, having accepted my invitation.”

She looked toward Brianna beside her, and Brianna gave a polite greeting by lightly holding the hem of her skirt with a gentle smile. Her manners were impeccable.

The noblewomen began whispering again.

“I heard she was adopted by a noble family, and it does show in her demeanor.”

“Indeed. Normally, when someone learns etiquette hastily, it’s easy to tell.”

“There must be a reason why she came here alone, without even the Dowager Duchess.”

Once the two of them finished their greetings and took their seats, the tea party officially began. Although it was a celebration of Marchioness Schroeder’s birthday, all the attention naturally shifted to the Duchess of Carlisle, who was attending a gathering for the first time.

“Duchess, what are your hobbies?”

Most of the questions aimed at Brianna Carlisle were about what kind of person she was. They were inquiries meant to gauge her refinement and discernment.

“My hobbies, if you can call them that, are knitting and reading. Since I lived in a very remote region, I didn’t have many opportunities for various experiences. Only after coming here did I realize that nobles in the capital enjoy such glamorous and splendid experiences like opera and theater.”

The noblewomen’s lips curved slightly in approval at her subtle praise of the central nobility.

“Do you happen to like paintings? There are many wonderful exhibitions held here.”

Brianna smiled brightly and nodded. “Yes. Artists who were inspired by the nature of Harzen often visited, so I had many opportunities to view paintings from a young age.”

“Ah, now that you mention it, there was a time when capturing untamed nature in its raw form was quite popular in the art world.”

“I happened to be in Harzen during the period when Romanticism was transitioning to Realism, so I benefited a lot from that. If not, I probably wouldn’t have had many chances to see art.”

The conversation continued smoothly in that manner. Although the Duchess of Carlisle was humble, her words carried an air of exceptional intelligence and eloquence. She answered every question without hesitation and blended into the conversation of a group composed of a specific class as if she had always belonged to their world.

“…Then, Duchess, would you be willing to share your opinion on this painting as well?”

At that moment, a young noblewoman who had been silently listening until then finally spoke.

Charlotte Kossel gestured to a servant beside her to bring something over.

“Actually, while preparing a birthday gift for the Marchioness, I also prepared something for you, as a congratulatory gift for your marriage.”

What the servant brought out was a painting. As the white cloth covering it was removed, gasps of admiration arose from those gathered. It was a beautiful still-life of a vase filled with flowers from all four seasons.

However, soon after, a hush fell over the group. Those who knew how to interpret art could clearly see the meaning behind the painting.

Around the vase, full of blooming flowers, wilted petals had fallen. Beside them were a ring and some gold coins.

The wilted petals symbolized that her youth and beauty would soon fade. The ring and coins lying beside the vase implied that promises and vows were fleeting, and that the wealth she currently possessed would likewise vanish. The presence of flowers from all four seasons blooming together was an impossible fantasy, representing the impermanence of all things in life.

“Hmm…”

The Marchioness Schroeder let out a small cough.

This was a common tactic used to humiliate someone of a different class. By giving a gift laden with unpleasant implications, they would gauge the recipient’s reaction. If the person accepted the gift gratefully without understanding the meaning, they would become a target of ridicule behind their back. Even if they realized the message, it was difficult to express anger or reject the gift openly.

However, that didn’t mean the Marchioness could intervene carelessly. The Duchess of Carlisle was not a child who needed an adult’s help. Stepping in without reason could only reinforce the perception that she was incapable of doing anything on her own.

“…It’s a beautiful painting. I truly like it.”

At last, Brianna gave her assessment of the painting. Some looked at her with slightly pitying expressions, while others let out scoffing laughs as if to say, “Of course.”

“Actually, I’m very fond of vanitas still-life paintings.”

As she precisely identified the genre, the laughter immediately vanished from the faces of those who had been mocking her.

Brianna looked toward Charlotte Kossel with a smile. “They say the reason still-life paintings symbolizing the futility of life came about was due to long wars. Those who experienced a series of tragedies began to feel that life was meaningless, and such paintings were born from that. I believe Miss Kossel included many meanings in gifting me this painting. It’s a wonderful piece, and I’ll accept it with gratitude.”

Charlotte Kossel’s face turned cold, and somewhere, a stifled laugh escaped.

In the end, what Brianna said was essentially a graceful way of implying: you gifted me this painting because you are the one experiencing a tragedy right now.

“Since we’ve come this far, why don’t we all present our gifts now?”

Right on cue, someone made a remark to change the atmosphere. In the newly warm mood, the guests began handing their birthday gifts to Marchioness Schroeder one by one—everyone except Charlotte Kossel and a few others.

Once the atmosphere had sufficiently settled, the Marchioness suggested they move locations.

“I’ve prepared a lavish banquet for all of you. Shall we move inside now?”

The noblewomen and young ladies stood from their seats, chatting among themselves. Brianna also rose from her chair, and at that moment, something small and shiny rolled to her feet.

“Oh my, my earring…”

At the sound of someone’s voice, Brianna reflexively began to bend down to pick it up—then suddenly recalled something Lucius had once told her.

“You must never kneel before anyone from now on. Not even the royal family. And that includes me, your future husband.”

Just before kneeling, Brianna froze. Then, lifting her gaze, she saw the group of young ladies who had been hostile toward her all along, watching intently from just ahead. From the way they fluttered their fans and wore eager expressions, it was clear the earring had been dropped intentionally.

Brianna involuntarily let out a laugh. The childish scheme was so transparent it was almost endearing. Had it not been for Lucius’s words, she might have ruined everything with a single misstep.

Brianna caught the eye of a nearby servant, who immediately approached.

“It seems a young lady has dropped a valuable earring. Would you kindly search this area?”

Leaving those words behind, Brianna walked away.

As she received the earring from the servant, Karen Brantel muttered, “She’s much tougher than Miss Adelheid said.”

Ellie Schultz nodded in agreement. “Right? She was supposed to be an easy target, but not at all.”

“Even if she’s a commoner by birth, her manners and behavior are no different from those of a noble. How are we supposed to trip her up?

Adelheid had conspired in advance to make trouble for the Duchess at today’s gathering. She had said that if they treated her like they did with bourgeois upstarts, she’d fall apart easily.

But things were not going as planned. And the person who had orchestrated this scheme had yet to show up.

“When is Miss Adelheid arriving? Don’t tell me she plans to make us the villains, let us take the blame, and then cozy up to the Duchess herself?”

At this point, an ominous thought crept in: were they the ones being played by Adelheid?

The three girls quickly exchanged glances, then hurried toward the banquet hall.

And in the banquet hall, Adelheid finally appeared—accompanied by an unexpected guest.