Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 147

Lucius climbed on top of Brianna and kissed her. He parted the lips that had just held him and pushed his tongue inside, kissing her deeply. Not missing a single tiny gap between her gums, teeth, and the mucous membranes near her cheeks, he thoroughly licked every part as he moved his hand between her legs. The flushed flesh there was already soaked from the love juice she had released.

He pulled back from the kiss and said in a husky voice, “Your time to lead is over. From now on, I’ll do as I please.”

Before she knew it, his manhood had risen again, standing firm with undeniable presence. Brianna smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“As much as you like. Take me however you wish, Lucius.”

It was the beginning of a long night.

***

Today, I will leave this place.

Since that night, Lucius had become truly busy. He submitted the evidence obtained from the princess to the House of Commons, which held audit authority, and the House of Commons was preparing to formally bring up the crown prince’s treason as an agenda item. Handling those matters, he had only managed to catch short naps at the ducal residence over the past three days. Still, Lucius had held her and slept in the same bed with her during those brief rests, just like before.

And so, three days passed, and the day to leave this place finally arrived.

Brianna completed the signature on the divorce papers, which she hadn’t been able to do last time. If Lucius added his signature and they submitted the document, the divorce would be perfectly finalized.

Brianna folded the divorce papers and put them into an envelope. She placed it together with the letter she wrote last night and hid them deep inside the drawer. Once the news of her departure reached him, Lucius would most likely search her room first for clues, and then he would find them.

The items she was taking on her long journey were modest. One change of clothes and a pair of shoes, some prepared cash and jewels, and her father’s watch—that was all. Everything else she decided to leave behind.

Brianna opened the jewelry box and retrieved the watch her father had kept there.

At that moment, a brooch placed beside the watch caught her eye. Lucius had given it to her long ago at a masquerade ball.

It wouldn’t be a problem to take this, would it? It was something she received before the marriage.

More than anything, she wanted to keep at least one item that reminded her of Lucius. He had probably given it without much thought anyway, and he wouldn’t even realize she still had it.

She had the maid load the bag into the carriage in advance. Since she said it contained items for Lily, no one had any reason to be suspicious.

And before leaving the ducal residence, Brianna had one last tea with the Dowager Duchess.

“It would have been nice if you went to the opera with Luce. Luce, that child too…”

Veronica believed that Brianna was going to the opera with Lily because Lucius couldn’t accompany her. Either because he was too busy with work, or because he had never liked opera very much.

“It’s not Luce’s fault. I’d already made plans a long time ago to go with Lily.”

Only then did Veronica stop criticizing her innocent son and smile brightly.

“That’s good to hear. Next time, let’s go to a performance together.”

Brianna smiled and replied, Yes. Of course, she would never go to the opera with the Dowager Duchess. Today would be their last meeting.

“Actually, I have a gift for you, Mother.”

“A gift?”

“It’s nothing much… It’s a scarf I made myself.”

“Oh my!”

Veronica gasped and covered her mouth in surprise upon seeing the scarf Brianna handed her.

“You made this yourself? With the foundation work and banquet preparations, you must not have had any time.”

“I’d already finished about half of it, so it didn’t take too long to complete. However, before giving it to you, there’s something I should mention.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Actually, I originally started making it as a gift for Madam Linares.”

Around this time last year, Brianna had started knitting a silver-gray scarf for Leona. But when it was about halfway done, she had passed away suddenly. Since then, Brianna had not picked up knitting again and simply kept it stored away.

Before leaving the ducal residence, she wanted to prepare at least one gift for Veronica. After much thought, finishing the scarf and giving it to her was the only thing that came to mind. For Brianna, it was a gift to someone as precious and dear to her as Leona had been. But she was cautious, as Veronica might think differently.

“If it offends you…”

“Offend me? Why? I’m so happy.”

Veronica beamed as she quickly picked up the scarf and wrapped it around her neck. The light gray color matched her bright silver hair perfectly. As if it had been made for her from the start.

“The fact that you finished the gift meant for Madam Linares and gave it to me—doesn’t that mean you see me as someone similar to her? I finally feel like I’ve been acknowledged as a mother by you. That makes me truly happy.”

Veronica excitedly looked at herself in the mirror, admiring the way the scarf looked on her. Though it had been a struggle to knit it while pressed for time, seeing how happy she was made Brianna feel it was worth the effort.

“But I’m the only one who got a gift, right? Luce didn’t get anything, did he?”

Then, as if something mischievous crossed her mind, she asked Brianna with a playful look.

Brianna nodded, recalling how she had once tried to give Lucius her father’s watch but stopped after discovering Florian’s letter.

“Yes, well… I wanted to give Luce a gift too, but I couldn’t find anything suitable.”

“Really?”

Veronica raised her palm to her lips and burst into laughter.

“Hohohot, that’s perfect! If he finds out you gave a gift only to me, Luce will be quite jealous. I can have some fun teasing him with this for a while. Brianna, if you’re planning to give him something, do it very slowly, alright?”

Brianna looked at Veronica laughing like a child and thanked her in her heart.

Thank you so much. For taking me in, someone who suddenly appeared one day, without any conditions, and for genuinely cherishing me.

It would be nice to say it out loud, but that would make it obvious I’m leaving, so I could only express it in my heart.

“…Then, it’s almost time for the performance, so I should get going.”

Brianna stood up. Veronica nodded while stroking the scarf Brianna had given her.

“Alright, take care. The weather is cold, so dress warmly.”

“Yes.”

Brianna kissed her on the cheek. And once again, she silently asked for forgiveness.

Please forgive me for leaving like this without repaying your kindness.

Brianna left the drawing room and headed for the entrance. The maid waiting outside brought her coat and helped her into it.

“Madam, I think the first snow might fall today.”

“The first snow?”

The maid, slipping gloves onto Brianna’s hands, chattered in an excited voice, “Yes, the sky has been overcast since morning. I think it might start snowing soon. You like snow too, don’t you, Madam?”

At that, Brianna gave a bitter smile.

No, I don’t like snowy days. Both Father and Madam Linares passed away on snowy days.

If it snows today, the day I leave Lucius, I’ll come to truly hate the snow.

“Yes, I like snow too.”

At Brianna’s answer, the maid smiled as if she expected it.

Finally, the maid placed a hat on Brianna’s head. After adjusting its shape, she greeted her brightly.

“Then, have a safe trip!”

Brianna boarded the carriage with the servants seeing her off. The wheels began to turn slowly. Until the ducal residence was completely out of sight, Brianna couldn’t tear her gaze away from the window.

Eventually, when the carriage turned onto the main road where the residence was no longer visible, Brianna turned her body forward. And she recalled the sight of Lucius that morning.

Last night as well, he returned only near midnight. Rather than go to bed, Brianna waited for him. Lucius found her curled up in the middle of his bed and approached with a surprised expression.