Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 120

Festival?

Only then did Brianna recall that he had mentioned they should go watch the fireworks again when Saint Riccio’s Day came around.

“The eve festivities begin today. I heard there are lots of fun events happening in the central plaza. How about we look around a bit and then go see the fireworks once it gets dark?”

“Then you’ve never properly enjoyed the festival either?”

He nodded. “To be honest, back in the academy, I was dragged there once or twice by my friends and came back midway. I’ve never once felt like I wanted to go to a festival.”

“Ah, if you’re just going because of me even though you’re not up for it…”

“No way. I even rearranged my entire schedule just for this.”

His reaction, which seemed a little disappointed, made her feel awkward for some reason. Brianna quickly turned her head to look ahead.

She regretted what she had just said. She should have simply said she was looking forward to going to the festival together. That alone would have been enough to make him happy.

Strangely, she kept putting up a defensive front with him. It was as if she always had one foot out the door, ready to flee. She had never been like that with anyone else—only with Lucius.

Was it because he was Florian’s friend, or was it out of fear that he might hurt her?

“When I return, let’s go see the fireworks together. No, I’ll show you—the most spectacular fireworks in the world.”

Come to think of it, before heading off to war, Florian had said that. If he hadn’t died on the battlefield, maybe the one by her side today wouldn’t be Lucius but Florian.

The moment she entertained that thought, Brianna realized something—remembering Florian no longer crushed her heart like it once did. It still stung, as if there was a hole in one corner of her heart, but it was a different feeling now. Like a scab had formed over a bleeding wound and new skin was beginning to grow.

And now, she wasn’t even sure if the person she wanted by her side was truly Florian and not Lucius. If she had to choose between the two, could she still pick Florian without hesitation like before?

While Brianna was lost in such tangled thoughts, Lucius held her close and galloped toward the plaza. His chest that she leaned against was broad, firm, and above all, warm. The sound of his heart, pounding fast, was transmitted directly to her ear.

As she listened to that pleasant, deep rhythm, her own heart began to beat faster. Brianna bit her lip, overwhelmed by feelings she couldn’t quite handle. Her heart kept moving toward him. Each time, she couldn’t help but hope—maybe he really does have genuine feelings for me.

“Brianna, that man seems to really like you.”

Then she remembered what Lily had said a few days ago.

When Brianna had briefly fallen asleep from the effects of the alcohol and then woken up, the table was piled with even more empty bottles than before. How could someone drink that much in such a short time? That amazement was short-lived—Lily had staggered to her feet and insisted she was going home. Though Brianna urged her to stay the night since she was clearly drunk, Lily stubbornly insisted on going home.

In the end, Brianna helped her into the duke’s carriage. And just before leaving, Lily had said those words, her tongue twisted from drink.

“I mean it. I may not know anything else, but I can say for sure that man is crazy about you. Ah, but a crazy guy can actually be more dangerous… Is this really okay?”

She had brushed it off as drunken nonsense at the time, but now, she kept finding herself hoping it was true—surely because something inside her was starting to change regarding this man.

When they arrived at the central plaza, Lucius helped her down from the horse. The wide-open space was now densely packed with tents, unlike usual, and was already teeming with crowds.

Lucius tied up the horse in a suitable spot and then held out his hand to her.

“Hold on to my hand properly. There are so many people around, it’s easy to get lost.”

“Lost? Don’t treat me like a child.”

Although Brianna gave him a sharp look, she obediently placed her hand in his. He smiled and wrapped his hand around hers. The two of them walked hand in hand, blending into the crowd.

For Brianna, who had only ever seen the small village festivals in Harzen, the capital’s festival felt like a whole new world.

“I didn’t know you could do so many things at a festival.”

Looking around, Brianna murmured in amazement. In Harzen, a festival meant roasting a few pigs, drinking beside them, and dancing—that was it. But here, each tent offered foods she had never seen before, and there were also numerous booths for various experiences. On one side, people dressed in fancy costumes were even marching in a parade.

“I thought all festivals were just about roasting whole pigs.”

At Brianna’s astonished comment, Lucius burst into laughter.

“During Saint Riccio’s Festival, eating meat is forbidden, so you probably won’t find any roast pig here. There’s no need to mourn the poor pigs like in Harzen.”

Brianna soon realized his remark referred to something she had written in a letter to Florian. She knew Florian had shared some of their letters with Lucius, but she didn’t expect he had shared even such trivial details.

“There’s no roast pig, but they do have pig plushies.”

At that moment, Lucius pointed across the way. There was a tent for a shooting game. Among the plushies lined up neatly on display was a cute pink baby pig.

“If you knock down the plushies with the gun, you can take as many as you hit!”

The man who seemed to be the stall owner was holding a gun and calling for customers. Brianna tilted her head as she watched.

“Wait, is that a real gun? Isn’t it dangerous to shoot with so many people around?”

“It’s a fake. I believe they use something other than real bullets. Of course, it’s still not completely safe…”

Taking her hand, he confidently led her toward the shooting booth.

“Oh, welcome, customers…”

The stall owner greeted them warmly at first but then narrowed his eyes. For a moment, she thought he might have recognized who Lucius was, but she soon realized that wasn’t it.

“Hmm, the gentleman’s build is no joke. Are you a soldier? We don’t allow military men.”

“That’s not fair.”

Brianna immediately protested, but the owner scoffed and waved his hand.

“Hey, I need to make a living too, don’t I? If you don’t like it, you’re free to leave.”

Just as Brianna was about to argue again, Lucius spoke first.

“My wife will be the one shooting, so there’s no need to worry.”

At that, the owner looked Brianna up and down, and a wide grin spread across his face.

“Of course, of course. Women are often better at these things than men. Right this way.”

He handed Brianna a rifle and explained the simple mechanics. Of course, it was all information she already knew.

Brianna lightly checked the gun and asked Lucius, “Should the first target be the pig plushie, then?”

The owner, who had been listening from nearby, shook his head. “Ma’am, don’t get greedy. Go for the plushies in the front row. That one’s too far—too hard for a beginner to hit.”

Brianna laughed out loud and assumed a perfect shooting stance. It was textbook marksmanship form. Seeing that, the owner’s face instantly darkened.

“No way…”

Bang!

The baby pig plushie disappeared from sight with perfect accuracy, and the owner’s mouth dropped open. With every shot she fired, more plushies fell, and his face began to look like he was about to cry.

Before long, a mountain of plushies had piled up in front of Brianna. Passersby began gathering, one by one, to watch the spectacle.