Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 46

Right. That person is leaving for a faraway place soon.

While feeling a bit dazed, Florian let out a small sigh.

“There are some people who volunteer for war, thinking they will gain merit and a title, but Lucy isn’t one of them. Daniel is right. This is just the greed of the old, pushing young people into war. Especially since this isn’t even a war in our country. Why do we have to shed blood by getting involved in the war of a neighboring country? I just can’t understand it.”

Brianna quietly looked down at the red tea water.

What must it feel like to marry someone you don’t love for the sake of your family, and to be sent to war against your will simply because you’re a soldier? And that too, as someone born into a position of great power.

Is that person’s life really okay like this?

“Brianna?”

Suddenly hearing his voice, Brianna snapped out of her thoughts and looked up.

“Huh?”

“What are you thinking so deeply about? You were like that earlier at the train station too.”

“Oh, that… I just feel bad for him.”

Florian tilted his head slightly and propped his chin with his finger as he looked at Brianna. “Is it just me, or do you two subtly look after each other?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Last time, Lucius got really mad at me. He asked if I was planning to marry you without any plan. He doesn’t usually get that angry.”

Hearing that, a warm feeling spread through her chest.

So, even when I can’t see him, he is always worrying and looking out for me.

Brianna threw a teasing comment at Florian, mixed with a bit of scolding. “Well, you should’ve been better from the start. How careless must you have been for him to say that?”

“What are you talking about? I have a plan too. I’ve already been looking into jobs.”

“A job?”

“I told you, didn’t I? I can at least take care of you. If I get kicked out of the house, I’ll need to find a job quickly since I’ll have nothing.”

Despite the gloomy conversation, Florian grinned cheerfully. “Luckily, since there’s a war, finding a job won’t be too difficult. My thesis is about a new method for making gunpowder. Several places are already showing interest.”

Now that she thought about it, that was true. In a world where war is determined by who has the better weapons, the war could actually be an opportunity for Florian.

“Well, you’ve always been interested in things like that. Remember when you almost burned down the barn playing with fire as a kid?”

At Brianna’s teasing, Florian’s face turned bright red in an instant. “Why are you bringing up old stories?”

“That’s not the only thing. Want me to tell more?”

“Stop it.”

Just then, she saw chocolate on a passing staff’s tray. The delicious-looking chocolate, dusted with cocoa powder, made Brianna murmur softly.

“They sell chocolate here too. I wonder if they do gift wrapping.”

Florian’s eyes sparkled as he asked, “Why? Are you going to give it to me?”

Brianna quickly crushed his hopes.

“No, I’m going to give it to Michael.”

“Michael? That kid you were teaching?”

“Yeah, I promised to buy him some chocolate.”

“Tch!” Florian grumbled with a pout, “Look at this. I buy you clothes, shoes, and everything, but my girlfriend is out here buying chocolate for another guy. And I’m the one getting jealous.”

“Jealous? Of a 7-year-old?”

“A 7-year-old is still a guy.”

“Well, if you want a gift, just say so. I’ll buy you whatever you want.”

Florian, as if waiting for those words, suddenly offered his cheek. “Well then, forget the gift. Just give me a kiss here.”

Brianna hurriedly looked around and lightly nudged his foot under the table. “There are people around. Don’t.”

“I’m not asking for a kiss on the lips. Hurry up.”

Florian wouldn’t budge. He seemed determined not to move unless she kissed him on the cheek.

In the end, Brianna gave him a light, fleeting kiss on the cheek.

“There, happy now?”

The man who had stubbornly demanded a kiss just moments ago turned beet red in an instant, like a ripe tomato.

Florian touched the cheek where her lips had grazed him, and his ears turned red too. Seeing that, Brianna’s cheeks also flushed.

“Don’t ask me to do that in public again. I won’t.”

“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea. Otherwise, my body…”

“Your body? What about it?”

“Uh, never mind. Nothing.”

Florian fanned himself with his hand to cool his face before suddenly asking about Michael. “Is that kid Michael studying hard? Not causing any trouble?”

“How could he? He’s so well-behaved.”

“You’ve always liked kids. You used to gather all the neighborhood kids and play with them.”

“Michael is special. Teaching him is so much fun.”

Seeing Brianna’s bright smile, Florian smiled along with her.

He wanted to say that he wished she would soon have a child who looked like them, but he held back, thinking it would only make things more awkward.

A noblewoman who had been leaving the tea shop paused. Her gaze lingered on the young couple sitting inside. They were conversing and looking at each other with eyes full of affection.

No matter how you looked at them, they were clearly a loving couple.

“Lady Wesley?”

The baroness motioned for her companion to be quiet. A moment later, she whispered softly, “Isn’t that young man sitting inside the son of Viscount Robert?”

“Oh my, you’re right. But the woman with him…”

She too quickly realized that the two weren’t just casual acquaintances and covered her mouth with her hand. The baroness gave a dry laugh.

“…This is truly absurd.”

Baroness Wesley had successfully arranged a few notable marriages within society. Because of this, requests from nobles to help arrange marriages for their children constantly flooded in.

One such person was Viscountess Robert. The viscountess had wanted a bride from a wealthy family who could bring in a large dowry, and the baroness had introduced a few women who fit the bill.

The problem was that Florian Robert had turned down all the matches she had arranged. Not only had he stood up his potential brides, but he had also failed to offer any apology, leaving the baroness in an awkward position several times.

Today, she finally learned why.

“Do you think the viscountess knows about this? The woman with him doesn’t seem like a noble lady…”

“Given her personality, do you think she would stay quiet if she knew? She must be in the dark.”

“That makes sense.”

After a long bout of whispering, the two women eventually left.

***

Spring was in the air. The air was still chilly, but the sunlight touching the face was noticeably warmer than before.

Adelheid rode out to the countryside on horseback for the first time in a while. Normally, she disliked being in direct sunlight, but today, she enjoyed even that because Lucius Carlisle was beside her.

As they passed by, people’s gazes followed. Adelheid especially noticed the envious looks from young women, which she had become quite familiar with since her engagement with Lucius Carlisle became public.

Instead of feeling uneasy like she used to, Adelheid displayed an elegant smile toward the people. It was the confidence of a victor who had claimed the man everyone desired—Lucius Carlisle.

“Riding too slowly is boring. How about we speed up?”

Adelheid made a playful suggestion, knowing full well what response she would receive from him.

“Miss Adelheid, you’re not used to riding, so increasing speed would be dangerous.”

“I’m confident. Want to see?”

Without waiting for an answer, Adelheid kicked her heels into the horse’s sides. Startled, the horse broke into a swift gallop, and Lucius quickly followed.

Adelheid burst into loud laughter. If her mother had been there, she would have scolded her for such an unladylike laugh, but since she wasn’t, it didn’t matter.