Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 30

“If you had gotten the job, you would have told me right away.”

Brianna sighed softly. “I appreciate it, but I don’t want to trouble them again. They’ve already helped me so much. I need to handle this on my own.”

“Brie, if you ever need money, just—”

“I told you never to say that!” Brianna glared at him fiercely, and Florian scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“I just meant, if you need help, let me know.”

“Your family is also suffering because of this war…” Brianna trailed off quickly, but Florian understood her meaning and gave a bitter smile.

“Yeah, the losses have been severe. I warned them not to invest in Sierra, but they didn’t listen, and now look at the mess.”

Those who had invested in the Sierra mines suffered great losses when the war broke out. The future impact was uncertain and worrisome.

“Did the inheritance from the Dowager Countess also go into the Sierra mines?”

“Yeah, they pooled every last penny into it. Now, with the money gone, my parents are desperate. They’re trying to marry me off to a wealthy woman… Oh!”

Florian quickly covered his mouth, then waved his hands frantically. “I mean, that’s my parents’ plan, not mine. Don’t misunderstand!”

Brianna laughed out loud. “I understand. I know what you really think.”

Florian’s expression unexpectedly turned glum. “It’s good you don’t misunderstand, but can’t you be a little jealous?”

“What?”

“Ask me if I’ve met any ladies or if I plan to meet any for marriage. If you’d asked like that, I would have been really happy.”

Brianna remained silent, sandwich in hand, staring at him. His blue eyes were filled with genuine longing, and she found it hard to meet his gaze.

Since his confession in Harzen, Florian had not directly expressed his feelings again. That’s why she had been comfortable treating him as before.

“Oops!”

Just then, the contents of her sandwich spilled onto the plate, leaving her in a bit of a predicament since she could only use one hand. Florian saw this and offered his untouched half of his sandwich.

“Here, take mine. I’ll eat yours.”

“But this…”

“It’s fine since you were eating it.”

He took the bread from her, scooped the fallen vegetables and ham back into it with a fork, and took a big bite.

“Wow, this tastes even better,” he said, beaming at Brianna.

Florian, who was notoriously picky and despised anything unclean, was eating food that Brianna had dropped without hesitation. She knew very well that this was something he did only for her. He had always been like this since they were young.

Brianna clenched her fist in her lap. She couldn’t continue to be indecisive. This ambiguity was only making things harder for Florian.

Brianna, you need to make a decision now. Will you accept him, or will you end things and prepare for the possibility of losing him? You can’t continue being just friends.

Brianna recalled Leona’s final words to her.

“Brianna, what kind of life do you want to lead?”

“Whatever you choose, I’m not worried because I know you’ll give it your all.”

Could she really not have any regrets if she gave her best, no matter what choice she made?

“Brie, are you there?” A knock at the door was followed by a voice as sweet and melodic as a bird’s song. It was Lily. She must have returned home from practice.

Brianna opened the door, and Lily chattered as she entered.

“I have something to tell you. Would you like to take a temporary job? It’s short-term, but it’s a good opportunity… Oh!” She stopped short, surprised to see Florian waving from the dining table, and started to back away.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’ll leave you two alone.”

Brianna grabbed her shoulder before she could escape. “It’s not like that. Come on in.”

Florian’s cheerful laughter echoed from inside. “Please come in. I was just about to leave.”

“You’re leaving?” Brianna asked.

“Yeah, I’ve finished eating, so I’ll be off now. No need to see me out. Have a good time with Lily and finish the champagne.”

“Champagne?” Lily quickly hurried in. She picked up the bottle from the table, glanced at the label, and gasped in awe.

“Oh my gosh, this is a 30-year-old Dom Pérignon! Truly befitting a noble gentleman! You deserve to be by Brie’s side!”

Florian, now wearing his coat and hat, winked as he walked to the door. “The lady has a remarkable eye, as always.”

Lily, hugging the champagne like a treasured possession, blew him a kiss in return. They seemed to be a well-matched pair in their own way.

After Florian left, Brianna sat back at the table, where Lily was already sipping the champagne with a blissful look on her face, staring at the ceiling as if it were glowing with light.

“Wow, this is absolutely divine…”

Before she got too tipsy, Brianna decided to ask about the job Lily had mentioned. “What did you mean earlier? About a job?”

“Oh, that.” Lily set down her glass and her eyes sparkled. “You said you were looking for a job as a governess, right?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know the imperial language and Baselian?”

“Of course. They’re essential for any well-educated person.”

“Are you fluent?”

Brianna nodded. “Yes, I can handle basic conversation, writing, and even debates.”

“Then, how about working as an interpreter at our opera house?”

“The opera house? As an interpreter?”

Lily refilled her glass and continued. “We have an important performance coming up, and we’re expecting foreign guests who don’t speak Schwerin. There’s a position for an interpreter who can guide them to their seats and provide explanations during the opera. The person who usually does it had an emergency and will be gone for a week. It’s a temporary job, but if you’re interested, I can recommend you…”

“I’ll do it!” Brianna grabbed Lily’s hand firmly. “If you get me the job, I’ll definitely do it!”

***

Lily worked at the La Fenice Opera House, located on one of the busiest streets in Bastogne. Built 100 years ago, it was the oldest opera house in the city. Though the building had seen better days and showed signs of wear, it still retained an old-world charm and elegance.

Today, Brianna had an interview there. The manager was very impressed with her language skills and asked her to start next week. She expressed her gratitude multiple times before leaving.

Instead of heading home immediately, Brianna made her way to the auditorium, as Lily had asked her to wait until her rehearsal was over so they could go home together. As she opened the door at the back of the first floor, the opulent interior, adorned in gold and red, of the grand theater unfolded before her. The empty seats were shrouded in darkness, but the stage was brightly lit, and Lily, along with other singers, was in the midst of rehearsal. Brianna quietly slipped in and took a seat in the back row, careful not to disturb them.

Lily, her neighbor, was a slightly eccentric yet cheerful young woman. They had become friends in a rather unusual way. When Brianna had first come to view the apartment, she was worried about the rent. Lily, who had been observing, had secretly whispered to her that the landlord was renting illegally and that she could bargain for a third less.

As a neighbor, Lily was quirky and lively. But as an opera singer, she was passionate and serious.

Lily moved continuously, singing and acting with the other performers. When the lead singers came to the center to perform their arias, while other singers took breaks or engaged in distractions, Lily focused intently, not taking her eyes off them and listening to every note.