Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 36

“Florian…” Brianna struggled to steady her voice as she approached him. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see you,” he replied, rubbing his cheek with a shy smile. Despite being soaked from the snow and frozen stiff, he still managed to smile so brightly that Brianna couldn’t help but let out a small, incredulous laugh.

Florian continued, “Actually, it’s because it started snowing. I know you don’t like snowy days.”

He carefully studied her face. “Are you okay?”

Brianna bit her trembling lip. On a day like today, when her spirits were at their lowest, she didn’t want to be alone. She had wanted someone to comfort her, and she had taken her time walking home, dreading the thought of returning to an empty room.

And there he was, waiting for her in the cold, unsure of when she might arrive. A young master who had likely never been caught in the rain, now standing there without a thought to how his clothes were getting soaked by the snow.

If you hadn’t been there, would I have been able to endure the time after the Dowager Countess passed away?

“Brianna?”

Seeing her downcast expression, Florian’s smile faded. “Is it the snow? Or did something happen?”

Without a word, Brianna ran to him and threw her arms around his waist. Florian froze in surprise but then slowly lowered his arms to embrace her back.

“Brianna, what’s really going on…?”

“I like you, Florian,” she whispered.

“Huh?”

Brianna pressed her face into his chest and repeated, “I like you, too.”

Yes, if I ever fall in love with someone, it would definitely be you.

The only person who sees me for who I am. My dear friend.

You’re nothing like those who look down on and insult others.

Florian stood still as a statue for a long moment before he bent his head down to ask, “Brianna, I think I misheard you. Did you just say—”

“You idiot! How many times do I have to say it?” she exclaimed, pushing him hard in the chest, her face flushed red with embarrassment.

“Forget it! If you didn’t hear me, just go home!” she huffed and started to walk away. But before she could take more than a few steps, she was suddenly lifted off the ground.

“Ah! What are you doing?” Brianna squealed as Florian picked her up and spun her around in the air, laughing loudly.

“You said you liked me! You said it three times!”

“Stop exaggerating! It was twice, not three times!”

“Doesn’t matter! No take-backs now!”

“Okay, okay! Just put me down, I’m getting dizzy!” she cried, laughing despite herself.

Florian finally set her down, but not before she gave him a good, hard smack on the back for his antics.

***

The Dowager Duchess Veronica Carlisle sighed deeply from the moment she woke up that morning. Pressing her temples, she furrowed her brows. Ever since she had heard about what happened the previous day, she had been in this state.

“Where is Lucius?” she asked.

“He has not returned from school yet,” the head maid replied.

Veronica’s frown deepened, and she spoke again, “Sophie.”

“Yes, Your Grace?”

“Sit down for a moment.”

The Duchess tapped the transparent glass table in front of her, and head maid cautiously took a seat across from her.

“What do you think is going on with Lucius?”

Sophie wanted to ask the same question. What could have suddenly come over our young master?

Lucius had never once caused any trouble since he was a child. Unlike the elder son, who, upon learning to walk, began destroying everything in sight, the second son, Lucius, had always been remarkably composed—even as a baby.

When he woke up early in the morning, he didn’t cry like most babies. Instead, he would lie in his cradle, wiggling his fingers and smiling like a little angel.

Even during his adolescence, he never exhibited the typical rebellious behavior. The only incident of note was when he first entered the academy and got into a fight with an upperclassman, resulting in a week-long suspension. Aside from that, he had never caused any issues. While the young men from other noble families were constantly embroiled in scandals involving women and gambling, Lucius had remained above reproach.

And yet, yesterday, he did something completely out of character. After going to the opera with Lady Adelheid of the Kirchner family, he suddenly disappeared midway through the performance and only returned to his seat much later.

But that wasn’t all. He didn’t even escort Lady Adelheid back to her residence; instead, he sent her home alone in a carriage. As a result, the young lady cried inconsolably, causing quite a commotion, and the Countess sent a letter to the Dowager Duchess this morning, expressing her displeasure and asking how they should interpret the situation.

“Of all people, Lucius,” Veronica muttered. “If there’s one thing that boy is strict about, it’s manners. Even as a child, Lucius would always help up any kid who fell over while playing, even if they had taken his toys.”

Sophie nodded in agreement. “Indeed, the young master has always been very considerate and well-mannered.”

“Can you believe that someone like him would commit such a rude act—something even a rake wouldn’t do? And to a young lady who’s just made her debut in society?”

“I’m sure he had his reasons. Perhaps he’ll explain everything once he returns.”

Veronica shook her head wearily. “I doubt it. That’s what’s so frustrating. Remember the incident when he fought that senior at the academy? He kept his mouth shut the whole time.”

When asked why he had attacked the upperclassman, Lucius had refused to answer. Despite the fact that the beaten senior had tried to cover up the incident as quickly as possible—likely because he had provoked Lucius first—Lucius had simply accepted his punishment without offering any defense.

“I know that boy too well. He’ll probably just say he’s willing to face whatever consequences come his way, rather than try to explain himself.”

Just as Veronica finished speaking, a knock sounded at the door, and a maid entered.

“Your Grace, the young master has arrived.”

Lucius entered the room shortly after, and Veronica quickly gestured for the maids to leave.

Lucius took a seat in front of her, his expression as composed as ever.

“I heard you were looking for me.”

“Yes, do you know why I called for you?”

“I do.”

His straightforward answer made Veronica let out a small groan. She had a sinking feeling that her suspicions were about to be confirmed.

“In that case, tell me. Why did you do what you did to Lady Adelheid yesterday?” Veronica asked, placing the Countess Kirchner’s letter on the table.

“That poor girl has been crying non-stop since she returned home yesterday. You knew how much she liked you!”

Lucius lowered his head. “I’m sorry.”

“Luce, I’m not trying to scold you. I just want to understand how you truly feel,” Veronica said, her tone gentle as she tried to coax him into opening up. “I don’t believe you acted without reason. I’m sure there were circumstances you couldn’t avoid. So please, tell me. I can understand you leaving during the performance, but where did you go afterward?”

Lucius had returned late the previous night, about two hours after the opera had ended. It was clear he hadn’t gone to the Kirchner estate, which meant he had been somewhere else.

“It must have been something important if you left Adelheid to return home on her own. If you explain the situation to the Countess, I’m sure she will understand.”

After a brief silence, Lucius finally spoke. “I have nothing to say.”

“Lucius!”

“But I will apologize for the rudeness. I will arrange a meeting with the Kirchner family and offer my apologies.”

Veronica’s frustration began to boil over. How could he be so stubborn, hiding his true feelings and refusing to speak? Even the family dog was more communicative than Lucius.

“After embarrassing her in front of everyone, do you think an apology will be enough? If you truly want to make amends, you should marry Adelheid. If you don’t want that, then tell me what happened right now!”

In her anger, she found herself raising her voice. It was clear that, for whatever reason, Lucius wasn’t interested in Adelheid, and he probably didn’t want to marry her.

She glared at him, expecting resistance, but to her surprise, Lucius nodded.

“Very well. Then it’s decided that Lady Kirchner will be my bride.”

“What?”

Lucius stood up, and Veronica, stunned, could only gape up at her son.

Wait a moment, this isn’t what I wanted!

“I’ll proceed with formal arrangements to visit the Kirchner estate soon,” Lucius said calmly, then turned to leave.