Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 116

Brianna, after thinking for a moment, opened her mouth.

“Judging from this report, the Empress seems like an incredibly weak person. She did nothing while the concubine flaunted her presence in the imperial palace.”

The Empress without a crown. That was the title directed at Countess Rienz, the Emperor’s long-time concubine. She had wielded power equal to the Empress for years, acting as the true mistress of the imperial palace. Meanwhile, the Empress had been insulted repeatedly by the Countess without ever properly resisting. The report detailed such incidents in full.

“But I don’t think we can judge her as weak based on just this.”

“Why not?”

“The internal order and domestic issues within the palace can always be corrected. Once you gain power, those things can be fixed. But foreign affairs and military matters are different. Once a decision is made, it’s hard to undo. To determine whether she’s truly weak or a lioness curled up to weather the current storm, we have to look at those aspects. If she’s someone who can see beyond short-term gains, she wouldn’t waste her efforts subduing her husband’s mistress. She’d focus instead on making sure the country doesn’t make poor decisions.”

Brianna pulled out the pages at the back of the report and handed them to him.

“While the Empress rarely attended the many banquets held within the palace, she almost never missed any diplomatic events. Moreover, she’s consistently raised her voice in external affairs. When the Emperor tried to quell rebellions in the recently occupied territories with force, the Empress argued that the reasons for the uprisings should be heard first. Perhaps the reason the empire hasn’t fallen into major internal conflict despite the prolonged war is thanks to her efforts.”

As they reviewed the materials, Brianna and Lucius exchanged many thoughts. Lucius also offered his opinions on her insights, and for matters uncertain, they pondered together.

Discussions with him were always enjoyable. Just like the conversations she once had with Madam Linares. Brianna was well aware of how rare it was for noble couples to exchange such discourse. Even among commoners, it was uncommon for a husband to consult his wife on his affairs.

In the middle of their discussion, Brianna accidentally knocked over a pen with her elbow. Seeing this, Lucius bent down to pick it up from beneath her.

As he did, his hand brushed against her ankle, and the sensation of his black hair grazing the thin fabric covering her legs followed. Brianna’s face turned slightly red.

Because it reminded her of last night, when he had kissed and caressed her toes and legs, finally burying his face between them and licking her there.

Since their marriage, he visited her room every night they slept together. And each time, he held her passionately. Yet during the day, the man who had been so fervent at night became calm and composed, as if nothing had happened.

Just the day before yesterday, when he taught her to ride, he had touched various parts of her lower body as he corrected her posture—her waist, thighs, calves, and ankles. Each time his hand made contact, Brianna had struggled to suppress her body’s instinctive flinches. Yet he remained utterly unaffected.

It was the same yesterday during shooting practice. As he helped correct her form, his hands touched her neck, shoulders, and back. Still, he had focused entirely on the lesson, as if being a proper instructor were his true profession.

Thinking back on it now, Brianna couldn’t help but feel a bit resentful. It seemed like she was the only one constantly flustered and self-conscious.

As Lucius sat back down in his chair, Brianna deliberately looked at him with a composed expression.

“By the way, how are things going with the House of Commons?”

He nodded. “Fortunately, it looks like we’ll be able to grant all three promises we made to them.”

Those three promises were the rights to debate legislation, to vote, and to audit national policies.

“Really? Wasn’t there strong backlash from the nobility?”

“Of course there was. But even those with the greatest power lose their voice in the face of money… With the prolonged war, the treasury is severely lacking, and everyone knows raising taxes further would be dangerous. In the end, they had no choice but to acknowledge that the House of Commons is the only group that can fill that gap.”

“That’s wonderful news!”

Lucius smiled as he looked at Brianna, who rejoiced from the bottom of her heart.

Just as she said, it was good news. By granting the right to audit, they had laid the foundation to expose the Crown Prince’s corruption through proper legal channels.

And just recently, he had sent a letter to the Pope. At the very end of what appeared to be a simple letter of regards, he had added a single sentence: he had heard rumors of an increase in rats in the Holy See—did they need help?

A reply arrived promptly. The aging Pope, admitting his ears and eyes had grown dull, said he had failed to notice the infestation, but would investigate and inform him once it was handled. In short, the Pope himself would identify the traitors hidden within the Holy See and let him know.

Lastly, Lucius began seeking someone within the Kazak imperial palace who might cooperate with him. To obtain evidence that the Crown Prince was colluding with the Emperor of Kazak, he needed someone on the inside.

It was a task fraught with risk. If it went wrong, he could be branded a traitor instead. Carl recommended a minor royal or noble with a poor relationship with the Emperor, but Lucius believed the Empress was the most suitable candidate. Who could possibly hate the Emperor more than she did? It would be a waste to dismiss someone like her just because she was a weak consort mocked by the Emperor’s mistress.

After today’s conversation with Brianna, he was even more convinced.

Now the only thing left was to decide what he would offer the Empress in exchange for evidence of the Crown Prince’s collusion.

Lucius was setting a wide trap around the Crown Prince. Once the trap was ready, he planned to wait patiently for the prey to step into it.

Considering the Crown Prince’s past deeds, it was clear he had an impulsive nature. Rather than scheming and biding his time, he acted on the spur of the moment. His father, brother, and Florian had all died in sudden accidents.

That kind of temperament would not change easily. So if the trap kept tightening gradually, he would eventually snap and fall right into it.

“By the way, are you free tomorrow?”

At Brianna’s question, Lucius cast aside his thoughts and looked at her.

“Tomorrow?”

“You said before you’d like to have a meal with Lily. We’ve kept putting it off, but I was thinking maybe around lunchtime tomorrow.”

“Unfortunately, I already have plans tomorrow. What about the day after? I’m free that evening.”

“Ah, then I’ll ask her about the day after.”

Brianna tilted her head slightly. Not long ago, she remembered clearly that his schedule for tomorrow had been open.

Lucius gave a faint smile and reached out to stroke her hair. Caught off guard by the sudden touch, Brianna blinked in confusion, then smiled lightly. It was an innocent smile, unaware of what he intended to do tomorrow.

***

When Lucius arrived at the hunting grounds, the first thing he did was inspect his rifle. He loaded it with bullets, then fired a few shots at passing birds. As he calmly watched them drop from the sky without a single misfire, Carl let out a long sigh beside him.

“Do you really have to go this far?”

“Why? Do you think I’d lose to a pathetic man like him?”

Carl scoffed at the question. “Do I look like I’m worried about you, Your Grace? What I’m concerned about is Sir Franz’s well-being.”

Even though no one else was around, Carl still lowered his voice.

“You absolutely cannot kill him. This isn’t just anywhere—it’s the Duke’s own hunting grounds. If someone dies here, everyone will find it suspicious. Especially considering your past murder charges.”

“I won’t kill him. Brianna said if I go back to prison again, she won’t come get me out.”

“At least you listen to your wife, even if no one else. That’s a relief.”

At his sarcastic tone, Lucius let out a faint snort. Just then, a carriage appeared in the distance. The man who stepped out was none other than Franz Linares.

“Why is Your Grace alone?”

Franz glanced around, puzzled. He had come expecting a group of members from the House of Nobles, as he’d been told—but only Lucius was there.

“You’re a bit late. The others already left ahead.”

Franz quickly pulled out the pocket watch inside his vest and checked the time. He was about to protest that he wasn’t late but decided against it. In any case, the fact that the Duke had waited for him was oddly satisfying.

“Then we should hurry and catch up.”

He picked up his rifle and rushed ahead.

A moment later, the barrel of Lucius’s rifle slowly leveled at the back of the man’s head.