Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 141

According to proper etiquette, Brianna should have knelt first and greeted a royal from another country. But the princess reached out her hand first, just as Brianna had done earlier.

“Let this serve as my belated greeting.”

Brianna took her hand. After a brief handshake, the princess motioned toward the table.

“This conversation might take a while. Shall we sit down first?”

Even after taking a seat, the princess kept her curious gaze fixed on Brianna. Her eyes resembled those of an innocent girl far more than those of an arrogant royal.

“Before coming here, I heard a bit about the Duchess. That you’re of commoner origin and that you married the Duke of Carlisle after quite a passionate love affair. That story seems to be making the rounds.”

There was a smile in her voice. It wasn’t Brianna’s commoner status but their romance that seemed to have left an impression.

“It’s certainly the kind of story gossipmongers love to spread. But unfortunately, I know next to nothing about Your Highness. Aside from the fact that you enjoy tending flowers, there doesn’t seem to be much known.”

The princess gave a brief chuckle. “That’s the perfect hobby for a princess trapped in the palace. If I sit quietly with flowers and scissors in hand, wearing a gentle expression, no one thinks of me as a threat. But if I held books on politics or military strategy, things would be very different. I might have already been killed by someone by now.”

So the rumor about her liking flowers was a smokescreen. And it seemed she had been actively moving about, taking advantage of her unrecognizable face. To think she would even boldly show herself in a foreign country like this.

“Your Highness must have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.”

It wasn’t just the Empress who had waited in hiding for the right moment. The princess, too, had long awaited a sliver of light to break through the darkness.

“I didn’t want to be sold off in a political marriage and dragged around from place to place. Nor did I want to bear unwanted children just to produce heirs. I preferred to dodge marriage however I could and hold out for a chance—no matter how long it might take.”

Just as Brianna had felt before, the princess resembled Leona in many ways. Their names, their upbringings, and the strong resolve they held in their hearts.

“Shall we return to what we were discussing earlier? You said we were making a foolish choice. What did you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said. Securing signed pledges from the surrounding nations recognizing Your Highness’s claim to the throne won’t be of much help to you. In fact, it might put you in even greater danger.”

“How so, for example?”

“In exchange for their signatures, each country will make demands that are difficult to meet—territory, favorable trade conditions, and so on. After conceding to them one by one, there will be nothing left when Your Highness ascends the throne.”

Even after hearing this, the princess’s expression barely changed. On the other hand, Madam Bremer gasped softly and looked to the princess with concern.

“…How interesting.”

After a moment, the princess smiled and murmured. Her eyes sparkled—not with sarcasm, but genuine interest.

“Truthfully, I’ve thought the same thing.”

It was a response Brianna had never expected.

“You’ve thought the same?”

“Yes. I figured that if I let all the wolves each take a bite of the delicious meat I held, all I’d be left with would be bones. And I’m certain that’s exactly what would happen.”

If she had expected it, why offer such terms in the negotiation?

Sensing Brianna’s question, the princess continued, “Because my mother believes it’s the best option for me. She hopes I can at least gnaw on the scraps left on the bones. It seems she’s convinced that if I face those wolves myself, I won’t be able to protect the meat. A bit disappointing, really. I tried arguing several times, but it was no use.”

“Your Highness.”

At that moment, Madam Bremer urgently called out. The princess had revealed far too many intimate details.

“Forgive me, but we have no time to spare. Even having this conversation now is just a waste of time. Just meet with the Duke of Carlisle and follow Her Majesty the Empress’s instructions. Once we receive the answer regarding the pledge, everything will be settled, won’t it?”

She then raised her voice toward Brianna. “Please, let us meet the Duke of Carlisle now. From the start, the Duchess has no right to participate in these negotiations. We will speak with her no further.”

No sooner had the words left her mouth than the princess slowly turned her head toward Madam Bremer. A cold glare was instantly cast. Behind her innocent eyes lay a blade sharper and colder than ice.

“Madam Bremer, that goes for you as well.”

Her voice was quiet but carried an undeniable weight.

“My mother entrusted this negotiation to me. So why are you, who are not even a negotiating party, stepping in so recklessly?”

“Your Highness, I didn’t mean it that way…”

“I choose my negotiation partners. So I’d appreciate it if you would remain silent for now.”

Madam Bremer opened her mouth as if to protest, but then bit her lip and bowed her head. From her demeanor, it was clear that even during her long years in seclusion, the princess had learned well how to command obedience.

Once the room quieted, the princess turned back to Brianna with a smile.

“Now that I think about it, I’m curious about something. Does the Duke of Carlisle know that you’ve brought this matter to me?”

“No, he does not.”

Today, Brianna had taken the role of facilitating a natural meeting between the two women and Lucius.

The Empire had long informed them that two women would arrive as negotiators. But since they were women, it would have been awkward for Lucius to meet them directly at first. That was why Brianna had stepped in as an intermediary. While she spoke with the opera writer she had always been interested in, her husband, the Duke, would come looking for her and join the conversation naturally.

“The Duke and I differ on this matter, just as Your Highness and Her Majesty seem to. I wanted to express my thoughts before you met him.”

“I’m already well aware of the Duke of Carlisle’s thoughts. That arrogant notion of installing me as a puppet empress to ruin the Empire without lifting a finger.”

Once again, Brianna realized how formidable Princess Astried truly was. She had already seen through the dark intentions of the Kingdom of Schwerin and the Pope, who aimed to place her on the throne.

“That idea annoyed me so much I even thought about punching the Duke in the face when I saw him today.”

After ending with a light joke, she assumed a serious expression, “So what I’m curious about is your thoughts, Duchess. Why did you want to meet me?”

“Before I answer, I should tell you this first. Your Highness, the Duke already knows.”

“Knows what?”

“That you secretly made a pact with the Crown Prince.”

For the first time, the princess’s face hardened. Madam Bremer’s expression did the same.

In fact, her face turned increasingly pale. After all, they had set conditions and signed a contract in front, while plotting harm behind their backs—retaliation for that could very well come today, and in the heart of enemy territory.

“Even knowing that Your Highness intended to stab him in the back, the Duke of Carlisle didn’t break the agreement. It’s not because, like Your Highness, he had no other choice. It’s because he’s giving you one more chance.”

“Just now… did you say he’s giving me a chance?”

To the question laced with displeasure, Brianna firmly responded, “Yes. The reason Your Highness came here today despite everything is because you had no better option. That’s why you’re sitting here across from me now, isn’t it?”

“Then, are you saying you know a better way?”

“And if I do?”

As Brianna returned the question, the princess’s eyes narrowed. Meeting that look head-on, Brianna gave her a gentle smile.

“If you wish to hear my answer, you’ll have to provide proof first.”