Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 114

Franz stood blankly for a moment, then nodded. “Of course. Since there’s little else to do in Harzen, I often went hunting. In fact, there wasn’t much to do besides that.”

“Then that’s fortunate. I’m planning to host a hunting party with the members of the House of Nobles soon, and I’ll be sure to include you in the invitation, Sir Franz.”

Looking at Duke Carlisle’s smiling face, Franz concluded with certainty that the man truly didn’t know anything. After all, women always guarded their chastity-related matters with their lives, hiding them from their husbands. If she had blurted it out from a sense of injustice, she would’ve been divorced and buried under filthy rumors—there was no way she’d risk that.

“Th-thank you! I’m available anytime, just let me know!”

It wasn’t just any event—it was a hunting party involving the members of the House of Nobles. The highest-ranking aristocrats in the country would all be there. Simply attending such a gathering was an unparalleled honor.

Perhaps this would be his chance to form new connections with the capital’s nobility. Though he was a noble’s son, being the third meant he had no inheritance and was practically penniless. He lacked the courage to become a soldier and go to war, and he had no particular skills to earn money otherwise, so Franz had spent his days idling in the countryside. And now, fortune had unexpectedly come his way.

It had been worth the trouble coming all the way here.

Franz turned to look at Brianna with a smile. To think he would gain such an opportunity thanks to the woman he’d been so desperate to possess.

Just as he was about to take in her figure, Lucius stepped in front of him. Brianna was completely hidden behind the man’s frame.

“Then, until next time.”

Lucius extended his hand in farewell. As soon as Franz, flustered, took his hand, Lucius immediately let go.

They exchanged the bare minimum contact for a handshake, and then Lucius drew his wife into his arms and walked into the banquet hall—as if he wouldn’t allow even a single strand of her hair to be seen by anyone else.

By the time the two returned to the banquet hall, the play was nearing its end. Marchioness Schroeder welcomed Lucius warmly despite his late arrival. When he explained that they’d be heading home because his wife seemed tired, she laughed heartily.

“Goodness! I had heard from the Dowager Duchess that you dote on your wife, but I didn’t expect it to be to this extent!”

In noble society, it was extremely rare for a husband to personally come pick up his wife from a gathering. Unless it was a couple’s event, it was standard practice for each to attend their own social functions and only see each other again at home. In fact, it was common to go to bed without even seeing one another.

His action today clearly went beyond a husband’s formal duty. It was something only a man with deep affection in his heart could do.

“How sweet…”

Other ladies whispered with smiles.

“He must have found even the brief time waiting for her at home unbearable.”

“Indeed. Even couples who dated for years before marrying aren’t usually this affectionate.”

More than anything, the sight of the two standing side by side looked perfect. True to his military background, the Duke stood tall and strong like a solid rock, while the Duchess beside him appeared delicate and graceful like a single flower in bloom. The contrast between them was so strikingly beautiful that it was a delight just to behold them.

“In the end, Duke Carlisle has perfectly crowned the Duchess’s debut into society.”

Up to now, the Duchess had maintained a flawless reputation without a single misstep. Now, returning home with a loving husband sealed her first appearance in society as a perfect success.

Watching the couple leave the banquet ahead of the others, someone smiled warmly. But there was also one person glaring at them with a fierce gaze, biting her lip hard enough to draw blood.

“…Miss Adelheid, it’s time to give up.”

Charlotte Kossel clicked her tongue quietly as she looked at Adelheid.

“The Duchess isn’t as easy to deal with as you thought. Trying to humiliate her with a painting only made me look like a fool.”

Clearly upset, she spoke with a touch of anger, and Ellie Schultz joined in with a pout.

“And after seeing how protective the Duke is of her, don’t you get it yet? If you provoke her again, you’ll only end up hurt. You should start looking for another match.”

“Fine, I’ll stop bothering with the Duchess from now on. Take it as you will.”

Her friends began to back away from the matter one by one. Adelheid, full of frustration, clenched her innocent fan tightly.

What did that man even do? What did he say to her out there?

If only he had misunderstood after seeing his wife in a secret meeting with another man…

But Adelheid soon realized how pointless that hope was and shook her head.

The Lucius Carlisle she knew was not a man to be swayed by such shallow tricks.

***

While walking with Lucius toward the carriage waiting at the front entrance, Brianna staggered slightly. The moment she stepped outside the building, the tension seemed to release all at once, causing her knees to buckle. Fortunately, Lucius caught her from the side.

“Brie, are you okay?”

Lucius whispered beside her, and Brianna nodded. There were still many eyes on them. Since the gathering had ended, the servants were nearby, waiting for their masters to exit. If she were to suddenly collapse here, they would surely run to their masters and report exactly what they had seen.

Brianna took Lucius’s hand and walked with a smile as if nothing was wrong. She stepped into the carriage and sat with perfect composure. Only once the door closed completely did she let her body sink into the backrest. As the wheels began to turn slowly, Brianna closed her eyes.

When she opened them again a moment later, she met Lucius’s quiet gaze.

He sat across from her, watching silently, not asking what had happened. He didn’t even question why she had left the banquet hall alone with another man.

Brianna realized that to him, it was more important to make sure she was okay than to satisfy his own curiosity. She also understood that if she chose not to speak, he wouldn’t press her.

So she decided to tell him first.

“…Franz Linares. He suddenly appeared at the banquet with Miss Kirchner. Claimed he was an old acquaintance of mine.”

As the corners of his eyes sharpened, Brianna continued speaking.

“The Marchioness didn’t know my circumstances, so she seated him next to me. During the play, when the lights were dim, he touched my thigh. I felt if I stayed, he’d continue, so I left my seat. And then he followed me out.”

Brianna relayed every vile thing he said afterward. Back then, the words had felt so humiliating she’d wanted to cut her ears off—but now, they came out of her mouth calmly.

Thinking about it, she had always spoken of painful things to Lucius as if they were nothing. Perhaps this was just another instance of that.

“…What if he really spreads those rumors?”

If nothing else, the matter with Florian becoming known would be serious. Lucius would be in a difficult position. Being labeled a shameless man who stole his friend’s lover would be bad enough, but since there were already suspicions he had killed his brother, people might even begin to suspect he was involved in his friend’s death too.

To her worried question, he responded firmly, “That won’t happen. I’ll handle him myself. You don’t need to worry about this anymore.”

Brianna looked at his icy expression and gave a faint smile.

“…Just don’t kill him. If you end up imprisoned again on murder charges, I won’t be able to get you out this time. That confession about us sleeping together won’t work again.”

He blinked in surprise at the unexpected joke, then smiled. Brianna looked at him and laughed softly, then whispered, “Luce, if it’s okay… could I borrow your shoulder for a bit?”

Maybe it was the relief catching up with her, but a crushing fatigue swept over her. Right now, she just wanted to rest against his warm body.

Lucius immediately moved to sit beside her. Leaning her head against his broad, firm shoulder, Brianna thought,

Up until now, I’ve always faced hardships alone. But now, this person is here with me.

But if I lean on him once, then again, and again, I’ll keep wanting to rely on him…

And if someday that support disappears—what then?