Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 24

“I already told you I don’t think it’s wise to invest in that venture,” Florian said firmly.

“Investment always comes with risks. You’ll see, one day you’ll be grateful to us,” Erica replied with a dismissive wave.

“Sure,” Florian muttered with a hint of sarcasm.

“Why, you—” Erica started, but her husband intervened.

“Let it go, dear. This will only lead to another argument.”

Erica closed her mouth, though her eyes still flashed with anger. Their conversations always went this way. Florian kept a polite facade in public but was constantly challenged his parents in private. It was nauseating.

When the carriage arrived at Harzen Castle, Florian was the first to step out. He scanned the surroundings and soon spotted Mrs. Fisher and Brianna standing at the castle gate.

Brianna looked significantly thinner and more gaunt than before. Her face was pale, and dark circles framed her sunken eyes. Despite this, she was still beautiful in his eyes, though he worried about her health.

Has she been eating? She looks like she hasn’t slept at all.

Suppressing his urge to rush over and embrace her, Florian greeted her only with his eyes. His parents had no idea about the close bond between him and Brianna. This was his first visit to Harzen since they had left him here, so they were oblivious.

If they found out how familiar he was with Brianna, they would undoubtedly be outraged and insult her.

“Welcome, Viscount Robert, Viscountess Robert. It’s been a while, Master Florian,” the butler greeted them.

“I believe you should start by paying your respects to the late Dowager Countess. After that, a meeting with the Count can be arranged,” the butler suggested.

“No, we should proceed with the inheritance procedures first,” the Viscount demanded.

The butler looked at Florian for a moment before cautiously replying to the Viscount.

“You mean to review the inheritance documents before offering your condolences?”

“Yes, we’ll pay our respects afterward,” the Viscount confirmed.

“Understood,” the butler replied, casting a glance at Brianna. He motioned for her to step forward.

“This is the maid who attended to the late Dowager Countess in her final days. She can answer any questions you may have. Brianna, please show these guests to the drawing room. I’ll fetch the documents.”

“Yes. Please follow me,” she said, bowing to the guests and leading them to the drawing room where another maid soon arrived with a tray of tea. Brianna carefully set the teacups on the table.

Meanwhile, the Viscount and Viscountess continued their conversation.

“So, how did your aunt end up inheriting the family’s fortune?” Erica asked.

“Didn’t I tell you?” the Viscount replied.

“I know she made it a condition of her marriage, but I’m curious why such an unreasonable demand was accepted,” Erica said.

The Viscount stroked his beard. “She staged a hunger strike. Grandfather had no choice but to comply.”

“My goodness, I knew she was eccentric, but to go to such lengths?”

“That’s not all. I heard she once demanded to be sent to the Bastogne Academy.”

“Such absurd stubbornness. She certainly caused a lot of trouble then and now.”

Hearing their conversation, Brianna’s grip on the teacup tightened involuntarily. She wanted to tell them off. How could they speak ill of someone who was a renowned author, Grisha Astrid? She had achieved such greatness through self-study. How could she ever be satisfied with a mundane life?

“Enough,” Florian’s sharp voice cut through the room. He glared at his parents with disdain. “Watch what you say. Not everything needs to be shared here.”

Brianna looked at Florian in surprise. She had never seen him so angry before, always accustomed to his carefree smiles.

“Are you worried about the maid hearing us? How peculiar,” his mother remarked.

The Viscountess scoffed and turned her gaze to Brianna.

“Fine, since we’re on the topic, let me ask you something. You claim you were attending to my aunt?”

Brianna clasped her hands together and bowed slightly. “Yes, that’s correct.”

“Did she leave any specific last words or a will?”

“No, she didn’t.”

“Who was with her when she passed away?”

“I was by her side.”

“Just you?”

“Yes.”

The Viscountess narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“How did that happen?”

“We were staying at the villa when she suddenly passed away.”

She seemed about to ask more questions, but at that moment, the butler entered the room. He placed some documents on the table.

“These are the inheritance documents that the late Countess entrusted to me during her lifetime.”

Viscount Robert began examining the documents, while Brianna stood by, quietly.

“What are these expenses?” the Viscount asked, pointing at some figures on the papers.

The butler responded, “Those are amounts the late Dowager Countess spent personally for the benefit of the people of Harzen.”

“That’s preposterous! She spent all this money on the people of the estate? There must be something else.”

“Brianna managed those tasks, so if you have further questions, please ask her,” the butler suggested.

The Viscount and Viscountess’s eyes immediately shifted to Brianna, filled with suspicion.

“How could my aunt entrust such significant matters to a mere maid? And such a young girl at that!” the Viscountess exclaimed.

“The late Dowager Countess regarded her almost like a daughter, so she trusted her deeply,” the butler tried to explain.

“Like a daughter? So, are you implying that this girl was freely spending the Dowager Countess’s, no, our money?” the Viscountess interjected sharply.

“That’s not what I meant…”

The butler stammered, wiping sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. Noticing Florian’s increasingly tense expression, Brianna quickly intervened.

“All the expenses were made under the direct orders of the Dowager Countess. The detailed records, including her signatures, receipts, and names of the vendors, are documented in the ledger. If you wish, I can bring it for your review.”

The butler nodded eagerly. “Yes, that’s correct. Additionally, there are double records in the castle’s ledgers. Any misunderstandings will be cleared up if you review those. Brianna has always been known for her honesty and meticulous work…”

“Hmm, very well,” the Viscount cut him off, rising from his seat. “It’s not appropriate to raise our voices over such matters at a funeral, so let’s leave it at that.”

It was obvious to everyone that he was just trying to brush off the matter after being cornered by facts, but no one pointed it out.

“We will now proceed to pay our respects,” the Viscount declared.

The butler nodded and led the way. “Please follow me.”

The Viscount and Viscountess followed the butler. As they exited the room, Florian leaned close to Brianna and whispered in her ear.

“Let’s meet at the hideout shortly.”

***

The hideout was a place where Brianna and Florian had spent a lot of time together since they were young. After the incident in the forest where Florian got lost, they had grown much closer and spent even more time in the forest connected to the estate. One day, Leona had built them a small treehouse.

Climbing up the wooden ladder into the low-ceilinged cabin, they would be greeted by the warm, blanket-covered floor. Inside, there were always books and snacks waiting for them. They would lie there, reading and munching on treats, and when they got bored, they would sit side by side on the branches outside, gazing at the beautiful forest scenery.

As they grew older and bigger, they could no longer fit comfortably inside the treehouse. However, whenever Florian came to Harzen during his school breaks, they would always visit it together.

Brianna stood beneath the snow-covered tree, looking up at the treehouse Leona had built for them. The long-unused treehouse was now falling apart in many places, and the wood was rotting. Despite its dilapidated state, it had not been torn down, thanks to Leona’s understanding and care. She knew how much the place meant to the two of them, holding countless cherished memories.