Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 14

Now in the twilight of her life, her hair as white as snow and her shoulders much more frail than before, the sight made Brianna’s heart ache. Since her collapse, the Dowager Countess had begun to put her affairs in order, one step at a time. She had set down her pen, given away unused items, and now, she had transferred her precious copyrights to Brianna.

Brianna understood the desire to prepare for her passing, but the Dowager Countess’s actions saddened her. She wished the Dowager Countess would stay by her side, just as she was now.

“…Brie?”

The sleepy voice called out, and Brianna quickly knelt by her side.

“Madam.”

Leona Linares smiled warmly at Brianna. “You’re back, Brie.”

“Yes, I had a safe trip,” Brianna replied, reaching out to hold the wrinkled hands in hers. Leona patted Brianna’s hand a few times before signaling the other maids to leave the room. Once they were alone, Brianna’s voice took on a tone of disapproval.

“What was in that letter? Do you know how shocked I was when I read it?”

“I wrote in the letter that if I told you beforehand, you would never have gone to the capital,” Leona replied.

“Of course not! How could I just accept that? What right do I have…”

“If I were to die now, that inheritance would go directly to the Robert family. Do you think they are more deserving? I’d rather give it to a stray dog than those shameless people,” Leona scoffed, her expression turning sharp as she looked at Brianna.

“So, did you sign the contract? You didn’t refuse, did you?”

Brianna pulled the contract from her bag and handed it to her. Leona smiled in satisfaction at the clear signature on the document.

“Good. Now I can rest easy.”

“But I won’t keep it for myself. When the time is right, I’ll return it to Florian,” Brianna declared.

“What?” Leona’s eyes widened.

“If you don’t want to leave it to the Robert family, at least give it to someone of your blood, like Florian. You care for him deeply,” Brianna insisted.

Leona sighed deeply but soon smiled again. “Well, Florian’s things might end up being yours anyway.”

“Sorry?” Brianna blinked in confusion.

“Do as you wish. Once something is given to you, it’s yours to do with as you please,” Leona said, standing up. Brianna helped her move to a nearby table, where Leona’s voice grew more excited.

“Now, tell me about your trip. I’m curious about what happened.”

While they shared tea, Brianna recounted everything that had happened in the capital: the incident at the train station, mistaking Lucius for a thief, and her eventual visit to the Carlisle estate.

“You pointed a gun at the proud young master of the Carlisle estate? Because you thought he was a petty thief? Oh my goodness!” Dowager Countess Linares laughed heartily, tears streaming from her eyes. Brianna sighed, her hand on her chest.

“Even now, it makes me dizzy just thinking about it. It’s a relief that both the young master and the Dowager Duchess were so forgiving. Otherwise, it would have been a huge ordeal.”

“I remember meeting the Dowager Duchess of Carlisle long ago. She didn’t leave a bad impression. She seemed kind and even charming in her own way.”

“The Dowager Duchess spoke fondly of you as well,” Brianna replied.

“Really? It’s an honor she remembers a noble from such a remote area.”

Dowager Countess Linares tilted her head slightly. “But the second son of the Carlisle family surprised me. Helping you find your bag wouldn’t have been easy. And taking you to their estate for treatment, too.”

“I think he did it because Florian asked him to take special care of me.”

“I was planning to scold Florian for not coming to meet you, but I guess I should be lenient because of the Carlisle second son.”

“He had an important thesis defense. It wasn’t something he could avoid, and it wasn’t prearranged,” Brianna explained.

Brianna hesitated, then asked cautiously, “But the Duke of Carlisle, he seemed to have a bit of trouble with his leg. Was he in an accident?”

“Yes, there was an accident. He was out hunting with the late Duke. The late Duke died that day, and the young Duke survived. The fact that he can walk at all is considered a miracle.”

Brianna thought of the cheerful and bright Duke. It was hard to imagine he had endured such a traumatic event.

“Any other interesting stories?” the Dowager Countess asked.

Brianna thought of the day she met Lucius again at the print shop and their time watching the fireworks together, but she chose to keep that to herself. For some reason, she didn’t want to share that memory with anyone.

“That’s about it. After finalizing the contract at the print shop, I came straight back to Harzen.”

As she finished recounting her adventurous trip, Dowager Countess Linares looked tired.

“You should rest until dinner,” Brianna suggested.

The Dowager Countess nodded. “Yes, you must be tired from your long journey too. I’ve kept you too long. Go and rest.”

“Yes, madam.”

Brianna helped the Dowager Countess to bed, tucking her in before leaving the room.

Dowager Countess Linares had been sleeping more and found it difficult to sit for long periods. The doctor said her strength had diminished significantly since her bout with pneumonia.

As Brianna made her way to her room, contemplating finding foods or medicines that might help the Dowager Countess, a voice called out behind her.

“Brianna.”

She paused and turned slowly. Franz Linares, the youngest son of the current Count Linares, stood in the hallway, staring at her.

“Young Master Franz,” she greeted him politely.

Franz approached her with a smile. “I was worried when I heard you went to the capital alone.”

“Thanks to your concern, I returned safely.”

“I’m glad you’re back safely, but I still can’t understand why you were sent on such a long journey alone. Has my grandmother lost her mind?”

Brianna bit the inside of her lip. Losing her mind? She wanted to chastise him for his careless words, but she couldn’t be disrespectful to a young master of the house.

“As you can see, nothing happened thanks to the madam’s careful planning.”

“Still, it seems my grandmother overworks you despite her affection. Don’t you agree? She hasn’t even formally adopted you as her daughter.”

Many people whispered behind her back about how the Dowager Countess treated Brianna like a daughter but never officially adopted her. Brianna was well aware of these rumors.

Franz stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. “If it were up to me, I wouldn’t keep someone as smart and beautiful as you in the role of a mere maid.”

His hand began to caress her shoulder. Franz had always been forward, but his advances had become more frequent since the Dowager Countess’s last illness.

Feigning the need to adjust her bag, Brianna stepped back, freeing herself from his touch. “I’m quite content with my current situation. If there’s nothing else, may I be excused?”

Franz waved his hand with a smile. “Of course, you must be tired today. Get some rest.”

Brianna bowed and quickly retreated to her room, locking the door behind her. After ensuring there were no sounds outside, she walked slowly to her bed and sat down.

“Ah…” she sighed, running a hand over her face. After a moment of dazed contemplation, she began unpacking her things.

Among her belongings, she found the handkerchief Lucius Carlisle had given her.

“I didn’t get to return this,” she murmured, running her fingers over the soft silk fabric. Recalling the events in Bastogne brought a gentle smile to her lips.

“This time, something good will follow something bad. For example, after watching the fireworks, you might find the lost item you’ve been searching for…”

There was one thing he didn’t know. Watching the fireworks with him had already brought her a great deal of joy.