Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 18

“Take that and leave Harzen before morning. If I see your face tomorrow, I will officially report your theft.”

“Madam!”

“Remember my words. I hope we never cross paths again.”

Dowager Countess Linares extended her hand toward Brianna. “Let’s go.”

Brianna supported her as they turned away.

Even after they left, Margot remained rooted to the spot. Slowly, she reached out for the ring lying on the ground. Clenching the ring tightly in her dirt-covered fingers, Margot ground her teeth in frustration.

***

On her way to the madam’s room, Brianna suddenly stopped at the sound of a cough.

“Madam, are you alright?” she asked, concern evident in her voice.

Leona waved her hand dismissively, covering her mouth with a handkerchief. “I’m fine. There’s no need for a fuss.”

“How long were you outside?”

“Oh, about half an hour, I suppose?”

Without hesitation, Brianna took off her coat and draped it over Leona’s shoulders. Though Leona protested, Brianna was not one to be dissuaded.

“I’ve told you before to keep yourself warm. What were you thinking, staying out so long without a coat?” A barrage of stern scolding followed, and Leona glanced at Brianna, a bit taken aback.

“I really only meant to stay out for a short while, but the night air was so refreshing, and the sound of the crickets was delightful. Wouldn’t it be foolish to stay indoors on such a night?”

Yet, her sentimental words did nothing to quell Brianna’s anger.

“Let’s discuss this inside.”

As soon as they were inside the room, Brianna guided Leona to the bed. She continued her relentless reprimand while rubbing Leona’s hands and feet until they warmed.

Only when Brianna felt the warmth spread through Leona’s body did she stop. There was a moment of silence before she spoke again.

“Do you think Margot will really leave?”

“Of course she will. Staying here means facing punishment for theft.” Leona frowned slightly at Brianna’s somber expression. “Don’t waste your sympathy on her. Sparing her punishment is already more than she deserves. Do you know how much that ring is worth? If it wasn’t to silence her, I wouldn’t have given it up.”

“It’s not sympathy. It’s just that…” Brianna sighed, a hollow laugh escaping her lips. “Do relationships really change over time? I used to be quite close with Margot when we were kids. We’ve grown apart, but I still thought we’d always remain friends in some form.”

When her father was alive, Margot lived next door to Brianna. Despite frequent quarrels, they were inseparable playmates.

After her father passed away and Brianna moved into the castle, her encounters with Margot dwindled. Years later, when Margot joined the castle as a maid, she began to torment Brianna out of disdain.

Leona sighed, her expression one of understanding. “Relationships do change, even the ones you thought would last forever. People you believed would always be by your side may end up leaving.”

Seeing Brianna’s face grow even more forlorn, Leona added gently, “But those empty spaces will soon be filled with new people. That’s life. Brianna, you mustn’t fear change.”

“…Actually, Margot wanted to leave this place,” Brianna confessed.

A gambler father and a drunken brother who demanded money with fists—Margot tormented Brianna, calling her an orphan without parents, yet she wasn’t happy herself despite having a family.

“Margot always hoped for someone to save her from her miserable life and take her to a wonderful place. That’s why she was always angry with me. She didn’t have anyone like you or Florian.”

Though Brianna had lost her parents, Dowager Countess Linares was always there for her. And Florian, disregarding societal prejudices, had become her closest friend.

“Even if it’s just you two…,” she trailed off, unable to voice her deepest wish.

She wished that, if nothing else, Leona and Florian would remain by her side, unchanged. But that was too much to ask. Dowager Countess Linares was nearing the end of her life, and Florian would soon embark on his noble journey after graduating. Hoping they would stay by her side forever was no different from Margot’s futile dreams.

“Brianna, do you hope Florian will always stay the same?”

Startled by the quiet voice that broke the silence, Brianna hesitated before answering.

“Of course, I know it’s too much to ask. Florian will inherit his title someday, and before that, he’ll marry a fine lady from a good family. I know we won’t remain as childhood friends forever.”

“Brie, that’s not what I meant…” Leona paused, contemplating, then sat up. Brianna helped her to sit comfortably on the bed.

With a serious look, Leona gazed at Brianna. “I didn’t think it was right for me to tell you this first, but I suppose I must. Recently, Florian asked for my permission. He wants to propose to you.”

Brianna’s eyes widened in shock as she looked at Leona. “A proposal? What do you mean…?”

“He said he plans to propose to you after graduation and wanted my blessing first. I agreed immediately. If you feel the same way, I see no reason to oppose it.”

Brianna stood frozen, as if struck by a heavy blow. The words Leona had just spoken were hard to comprehend.

“Brianna, you might not have known, but Florian has loved you from afar for a very long time.”

“I…I…”

“That’s why I couldn’t take you in as my adopted daughter. If I did, you two would become relatives.”

“What?”

Seeing Brianna’s astonishment, Leona smiled gently. “Were you ever hurt by that? I claimed to cherish you, yet I didn’t adopt you.”

Brianna hurriedly grasped Leona’s hand. “Madam, never. How could I wish for such a thing? The kindness you’ve shown me is more than enough. I’ve never desired anything beyond that.”

“I know. I know what kind of person you are. And it wasn’t just because of Florian that I didn’t adopt you.” Leona patted the back of Brianna’s hand.

“Brianna, being bound to a family means you receive its protection, but it also means you must fulfill its obligations. If you were my adopted daughter, you could be forced into an unwanted situation. Like I was. I could resist and demand money if they insisted on sending me away, but you wouldn’t have that luxury. After much deliberation, I decided it was best to leave you as you are.”

“Madam…”

Leona gently caressed Brianna’s face, which looked on the verge of tears. “Take your time to think about Florian. While it comforts me to know he will always be by your side, the most important thing is your heart.”

“But Florian and I… we’re from different social standings. If his family finds out, they’ll surely…”

“Of course, there will be strong opposition. But Florian wouldn’t consider proposing to you without knowing that. He seems carefree, but he’s thoughtful.”

“Most of all, I still don’t understand… love… things like that.”

Love was something Brianna had never deeply pondered. The love she knew from her parents was more sorrowful than joyous.

Leona, observing Brianna’s confusion, gave her a serene smile. “Brianna, if you don’t know your own heart, don’t try to understand it. Just watch where it leads you.”

“Watch where my heart leads?”

“The heart has invisible feet that might take you somewhere without you realizing it. And often, you’ll only understand later, ‘Ah, I truly love that person.'”