Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 25

‘But now, that place will soon be gone, too,’ Brianna thought to herself, feeling a pang of sorrow. ‘With the one who preserved our childhood memories no longer in this world.’

“Brianna.”

Lost in her melancholy, Brianna heard Florian’s voice behind her. Turning, she saw him standing on the white snow, reminiscent of the day she had found him when he was lost. This time, he was the one approaching her as she stood beneath the tree.

“I’m sorry, I took too long to get here. I wanted to come sooner, but the weather…”

The moment she heard his words, Brianna felt a rush of emotion, and tears began to flow.

“Florian, she’s gone. Madam is gone,” she said, her voice trembling with grief as she wiped away the tears with her hands. Just as Florian burst into tears of relief when she came to him with a lantern in the snow.

“I feel like there’s a hole in my heart. It’s so painful that sometimes I wish I could just fall asleep and never wake up…”

Before she could finish, Florian pulled her into his arms. The boy who had once cried in her arms now held her tightly, offering the same comfort she had once given him.

“It’s okay, Brianna. Everything will be okay,” he whispered, holding her as she sobbed into his chest. Florian stayed with her, offering warmth and support until her tears finally subsided.

“Do you think they’ll tear this down now?” she asked, looking up at the treehouse after her tears had dried.

“Yeah, I overheard the butler say they plan to clear this whole forest and build new structures,” Florian replied with a sigh.

“I used to think nothing would ever change here, but everything keeps changing. Great-aunt passing away, the treehouse being torn down, even the forest…” he trailed off, his voice filled with sadness.

Brianna turned to him, a thoughtful look on her face. “You know, I said there was no will, but there was one. It didn’t seem like it at the time, but now I realize her words were a kind of will.”

Florian looked at her curiously. “What did she say?”

“She told me not to fear change and to give my best to whatever decision I make. She said that if you do your best, you won’t have any regrets, no matter the outcome,” Brianna said, a faint smile forming on her lips. “That’s such a fitting will, don’t you think?”

Florian’s lips curved into a soft smile as well. With the gentle afternoon sunlight warming them, he reached into his coat and pulled out a handkerchief-wrapped bundle.

“What’s this?” Brianna asked.

“A gift to cheer you up. Open it,” he encouraged.

Brianna unfolded the handkerchief with trembling fingers and gasped, bringing her hands to her mouth. Inside was her father’s lost watch, along with a gleaming new watch strap.

“Lucius found it after all,” she murmured, her voice filled with awe.

“Yeah, he said he was just lucky, but I know it wasn’t easy,” Florian said.

Brianna held the watch in her hands, feeling a surge of gratitude. “Thank him for me. Tell him I’m very grateful.”

“There’s something else Lucius told me when he gave me the watch,” Florian said, hesitating before finally gathering the courage to speak.

“First, I apologize for my parents’ rudeness earlier. I’m really sorry.”

Brianna shook her head. “It’s okay.”

“They only care about money, and they don’t see the value in anything else. It’s repulsive, but they think they’re elegant and noble. I’ve always disliked them for that,” Florian continued.

“Florian…”

“I never considered them my real family after I grew up. To me, my great-aunt and you are far more precious. Now that she’s gone, you’re all I have left.”

Brianna sensed a deeper weight to his words this time. She watched as he pressed his lips together, then spoke with determination.

“Brianna, what I’m saying is that you are my real family, not my parents,” Florian said, his breath visible in the cold air as the wind blew, carrying with it flurries of snow. His face had turned bright red, a combination of the cold and his earnest emotions.

“I know this is sudden, especially given the circumstances… but, Brianna, I’ve liked you for a long time,” he confessed.

Since learning about Florian’s feelings from Leona, Brianna had spent countless hours pondering what she should do if this moment ever came. She had always wondered what Florian meant to her.

She had finally reached a conclusion: she wasn’t sure about her feelings. While Florian was indeed precious to her, she couldn’t picture him as a romantic partner. But then, watching him walk through the snow toward her, she had a revelation.

Florian is the only person who understands her pain and shares her long history. He is a treasured companion, someone with whom she had built countless memories. Although she wasn’t sure about romantic love, she knew that losing him would be as devastating as losing Leona.

That much was clear.

“I’m sorry,” she said, feeling a heavy weight in her chest. “Thank you, but our social statuses are too different. And your parents would never accept me…”

“Wait a minute!” Florian interrupted, his hand shooting up to stop her words. “Are you saying you see me as a man?”

Brianna blinked, taken aback by the unexpected question. “What? What else would you be if not a man?”

“So, you do like me, but our social differences and my parents are the issue?” Florian pressed.

Brianna’s face turned crimson. “Don’t be ridiculous. I never said I liked you. What I meant was… Florian?” She trailed off as Florian suddenly collapsed onto the ground.

Before she could react, he pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her and laughing. “I’m so relieved! I thought you didn’t see me as a man at all. This is such a relief!”

Brianna squirmed in his embrace. “Florian, I didn’t say I agreed to date you!”

“But you do see me as a man,” Florian said, laughing louder and hugging her tighter. “That’s enough for me! I can handle the rest.”

“Handle it? How?” Brianna asked, still struggling.

“I told you, you’re my only family. If necessary, I’ll cut ties with my parents,” he declared.

Brianna pushed him away with all her strength, causing him to sprawl backward into the snow. “How can you say that so easily? That’s not something you can just do!”

“It’s not an easy thing to say. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I even have plans on how to support myself afterward. I can promise you won’t go hungry. Of course, that’s only if you have no desire to become a Viscountess,” Florian explained, looking up at her with a serious expression.

Brianna was now more bewildered than ever. Just how long had he been planning this on his own?

“Okay, okay, just get up. Your clothes are going to get wet,” she said, tugging on his coat to help him up.

“No. Promise me you’ll give me time. Then I’ll get up.”

“Time for what?”

“Time to win your heart.”

Florian lay there in the snow, as if it were a soft, comfortable blanket, resting his head on one arm while gazing at her with clear, sparkling blue eyes.

“I’m not getting up until you promise to give me a chance.”

Finally, Florian’s special talent came into play. When he turned on the charm and whined, Brianna always gave in.

“Alright, fine. Just get up before you catch a cold.”

“Promise? You won’t reject me later, will you?”

“I promise. I won’t.”

With that, Florian’s face lit up with a bright smile. Suddenly, he slammed his fist into the tree next to him, causing a pile of snow to fall on them both.

“Ah! Florian, stop it! Seriously!”

Laughing, Florian quickly brushed the snow off her hair and shoulders. Eventually, Brianna couldn’t help but laugh as well.

A man watching them from a distance turned away, anger evident in his footsteps as he walked off.