Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 144

“Luce…”

He, who should be with the princess right now, was here instead. Brianna, puzzled, approached Lucius.

“Is the conversation already over?”

Lucius quietly looked down at Brianna and gave a short nod.

Brianna smiled brightly. “Then it must have gone well. That’s a relief.”

“Did you persuade the princess?”

At his sudden question, Brianna tilted her head on purpose. “What do you mean, all of a sudden?”

“Brianna.”

He grabbed Brianna’s arm.

“You’ve been hiding something from me, haven’t you?”

Brianna had changed subtly at some point. Lucius had already sensed it.

Lately, she always smiled, but the smile clearly seemed artificial. Like the formal expression noble children were trained to wear from a young age.

Brianna had never been particularly expressive, but she never showed false reactions either. The unfamiliarity in her recently was what made Lucius feel a vague sense of unease.

The day she approached him first and kissed him, he thought everything would start going smoothly. He believed it was a sign that Brianna no longer saw him as merely a contractual partner but was beginning to accept him as someone she could share her heart with.

But ever since then, Brianna had acted as if, while her body remained by his side, her heart was somewhere far away. Lucius had tried to recall if any specific incident had caused such a change, but he couldn’t find an answer.

“Don’t do this. Just tell me. What’s going on?”

If there was a problem, he wished she wouldn’t hide it and would tell him honestly. The matter with the princess was the same.

“This might come suddenly, but I suggest we revise the contract terms. In exchange, I’ll give you the evidence right now.”

Just a moment ago, the woman who introduced herself as Princess Astried had proposed a new contract to Lucius. She had spoken with complete confidence and didn’t hesitate at all in offering up the evidence she should have safeguarded as her final trump card.

The new terms she presented weren’t bad for Lucius either. The Kingdom of Schwerin had a warmer climate than the Empire, and the southern regions produced plenty of crops. Even now, surplus crops were actively exported. In fact, due to the Empire’s high tariffs to protect its domestic produce, exports hadn’t been easy. This was an opportunity to diversify trade routes, which was a gain for the Kingdom of Schwerin.

Of course, there was likely a hidden motive behind the princess suddenly changing the terms. But that could be managed by adding detailed clauses to the contract.

“You have a good wife by your side. I wish I could have talked with the Duchess more—it’s a shame.”

The princess had expressed deep fondness for Brianna. The time they spent together was incredibly short. While wondering what kind of conversation had led to such a close emotional bond, Lucius realized that Brianna had been involved in this from the start.

Until now, Brianna had listened intently to his discussions of political matters, but she had never actively participated. This time was different. Despite knowing they had attempted a double contract, she had recommended not breaking the negotiations and even arranged today’s meeting herself.

“The Duchess is practically the sole disciple of Grisha Astrid, so surely she possesses knowledge beyond what I know. I hope to speak with her again someday.”

From the princess’s words, Lucius concluded that the two had not merely exchanged light conversation.

Until now, Brianna had never spoken to anyone about Grisha Astrid—that is, Madam Linares. Even Florian had died without ever knowing.

The fact that she had revealed this to a foreign princess she had just met meant there had been a compelling need to bring it up.

Did Brianna orchestrate something?

Come to think of it, it wasn’t an impossible notion. When well-educated nobles failed to realize the war looming before them and invested in Sierra, Brianna had already foreseen the future. Not only that, but she had actively supported the House of Commons, claiming that the wealthy would soon hold power.

Brianna always viewed the world with sharp, accurate insight. While it was thanks in part to the teachings of Madam Linares, known as the greatest scholar on the continent, it was fundamentally due to Brianna’s innate brilliance. Even in the academy where Lucius had studied, not all talented students were created by having excellent teachers.

Did Brianna change the direction of the negotiation midway—if so, why?

After concluding his meeting with the princess and exiting the room, Lucius stared blankly down at the letter in his hand.

Ordinarily, he should have been elated. Wasn’t this the very weakness of the Crown Prince he had longed for? Evidence he thought he could only obtain after the war was now in his hands, and far earlier than expected. With this, he could avenge his father and brother—and resolve his grudge over Florian’s death.

Yet Lucius felt disturbed. It was Brianna.

He wanted to know what she was truly thinking.

“Where is the Duchess now?”

Upon hearing that Brianna had gone toward the guest rooms, Lucius headed there.

If she had been dissatisfied with her role as Duchess and wanted to be more involved in politics, he would’ve gladly made that possible. But Lucius knew that wasn’t the case. Brianna was curious about the world, but she had no hunger for power. There had to be another reason for her involvement this time.

“Brianna, just tell me the truth…”

“Did I cause trouble in the negotiation?”

At her concerned question, Lucius quickly shook his head. “Not at all. That’s not what I’m asking. I just want to know—are you hiding something from me?”

“And you, Luce—have you never hidden anything from me?”

Her teal eyes met his directly.

“If I asked you something right now, anything… would you answer? For example…”

Lucius fell silent. Only then did he realize how many things he was hiding from her.

Her fiancé hadn’t died in a mere accident—he had died because of Lucius. And despite that, he had tried to keep her by his side. That wasn’t all. Even when Florian was alive, Lucius had harbored shameful feelings toward his friend’s lover for a long time. And now, Brianna might not be able to have children anymore.

If she asked about any of it, he wouldn’t be able to give her an answer.

To question Brianna when he himself was keeping so much from her—it was hypocrisy.

Just as Lucius began to let go of her arm, Brianna’s voice rang out.

“For example… if a woman had a large scar on her body, would that make you not want to hold her anymore…”

Lucius looked down at her, startled. Instead of releasing her, he grabbed both her shoulders.

“Brianna, what kind of nonsense is that?”

“Isn’t it true? Since I got hurt, you haven’t tried to hold me even once. Isn’t it only natural for me to think that way?”

Brianna pouted, her tone petulant.

“It’s not like I could ask you directly, ‘Why don’t you touch me anymore? Why do you just go straight to your room?’ Do you know how much I’ve suffered over it?”

“Not even once have I thought that way…”

Brianna reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“You mean that? You really mean it?”

Lucius knew this was just her way of avoiding his questions. Lately, she had been kissing him to keep him from speaking, letting the moment pass like this.

Even knowing all that…

Lucius lowered his body and pulled her into his arms. The soft curve of her body, felt again after so long, stirred him deeply. He wanted her—wanted to lay her down right here and now.

Even when suspicion clouded his mind, this always happened. He always fell helplessly for Brianna’s seduction. Like a man stepping off a cliff, knowing the fall would kill him.

Then, by his ear, Brianna whispered, “Tonight, I’ll come to your room.”