Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 56

That night, the two danced countless times together. By the time they stepped out to rest on the terrace, Brianna was so exhausted that her legs were on the verge of giving out.

“I’m sorry… I was having so much fun that I didn’t realize I wasn’t being considerate.”

Florian apologized again, only realizing how tired she was after seeing how much effort she had put in to keep up with him.

“It’s okay. I just need a little rest, and I’ll be fine.”

The two of them took off their masks and leaned back in their chairs. Florian watched Brianna for a moment as she patted her legs with her fists before suddenly kneeling down in front of her.

“Florian?”

“Let me massage your feet while you rest. Take off your shoes.”

“What?” Brianna quickly pulled her feet away in shock. “You don’t have to!”

“Trust me. If I do this, the fatigue will go away in no time.”

“I said it’s fine!”

Despite their brief back-and-forth, Florian eventually grabbed one of her feet. He removed her shoe and placed her stockinged foot on his thigh, pressing his thumb into her sole as Brianna wiggled her toes in protest.

“Florian, what if someone sees us like this…?”

As Brianna nervously glanced toward the ballroom, Florian burst out laughing.

“Don’t worry, no one’s watching. It’s considered bad manners to look at or interrupt anyone who’s already on the terrace. You wouldn’t want to accidentally ruin someone’s special moment.”

“Special moment?”

“Some people come here to escape the crowd and enjoy a bit of solitude, while others come to make memories with their loved ones. The ballroom is too exposed to people’s gazes, so this space is for privacy. Some people even go to the garden or use the small rooms on the second floor if they’re feeling adventurous…”

Florian suddenly stopped as if he had remembered something. “By the way, never go to the garden or the second floor alone. You might find yourself in a bad situation.”

Brianna nodded in understanding but refrained from mentioning that she had already experienced such an incident. As Florian massaged her foot, Brianna realized he had been right. His skilled pressure was quickly easing her fatigue.

“But why does it feel like your feet haven’t grown at all?”

He compared her foot to the size of his palm, tilting his head in confusion.

“It seems like your feet haven’t changed much since we were kids.”

“That’s impossible! I’ve grown a lot taller, so my feet must have grown too.”

Florian chuckled, finding her response endearing. “Oh really? How much taller are you now? Did you grow by 50 centimeters?”

“You can’t compare it to how boys grow! My height is perfectly average now!”

“Well done. You must’ve worked hard to grow this tall.”

Brianna clicked her tongue in mock annoyance at his teasing words.

“Now that I think about it, I was really surprised the first time I saw your bare feet.”

Florian reminisced for a moment before breaking into laughter.

“Do you remember when we went to the river together? You hiked your skirt up above your knees and waded right into the water.”

“Well…”

Brianna scratched her cheek, embarrassed. Florian had been understandably shocked. In aristocratic society, it was strictly forbidden for women to show their bare feet to men who weren’t family, even children were expected to follow this rule.

But Brianna, who had grown up catching fish in the river, had removed her stockings without a second thought and waded in barefoot. For Florian, who came from the city, it had been a cultural shock.

“But thanks to me, we had plenty of fish to eat. You didn’t catch a single one that day.”

The young master from the city had been hopeless at fishing, while Brianna had caught five. Naturally, they skewered the fish on wooden sticks and grilled them over a fire.

“Right, you were so good at catching fish that I thought a bear, not a person, was in the river. And you’re still just like that bear, you know.”

“Huh? A bear?”

Florian gazed at Brianna intently. Despite him massaging her feet so vigorously, she looked completely comfortable, not even slightly embarrassed. If that didn’t make her like a bear, what did?

He began to wonder if their wedding night would go smoothly. Would she be startled and run away when he approached her with no clothes on?

Please don’t cry and say you’re scared. That would truly drive me mad.

With those worries in mind, Florian made sure to give both her left and right foot equal attention before gently slipping her shoes back on.

“Alright, let’s go back to dancing…”

Brianna was about to stand when Florian gently pushed her back into her seat.

“Why?”

“I wanted to make this more special, but I’m not very good at such things.”

He reached into his vest pocket. When his hand emerged, it held a single ring.

“This is something I bought with money I earned through my own work. It’s not much, but it’s all I could afford.”

Florian took Brianna’s hand and slipped the ring onto the fourth finger of her left hand. The gold band gleamed in the moonlight.

Brianna, recalling what he had just said, asked in disbelief, “Work? You did?”

“Remember when I told you I was looking for a job? I took on some temporary work and got paid for it. It was with a company that manufactures firearms, and if things go well, I might get a full-time position.”

Brianna was too shocked to respond. While she had heard him mention finding a job, she never thought he would seriously go out and work like a commoner.

“I’m serious about you, Brianna. I may not be able to catch fish for you, but I promise I won’t let you suffer. This ring may be small, but I’ll buy you something much better in the future.”

The playful smile that had always been on Florian’s face disappeared, replaced by the serious, mature expression of a man.

“So, Brianna, I’m asking you formally—will you marry me?”

Brianna brought her trembling hand to her lips. A single tear fell onto the ring on her finger. She gave him the answer he had been longing to hear.

“Yes, of course. Of course I’ll marry you, Florian.”

Florian spread his arms wide, and Brianna ran into his embrace. The two of them burst into laughter, overjoyed with happiness.

***

This is the worst.

Adelheid bit her lip in frustration. When Lucius returned, she thought the situation wasn’t too different from what had happened at the theater. Once again, Lucius had abandoned her as his partner, leaving her behind.

Adelheid had planned to cry and blame him for his rudeness, just like before. Then, just like last time, he would show up with flowers and apologize, promising to give her whatever she wanted as a kind, caring fiancé.

But this time was different. When Adelheid was about to cry and demand to know how he could treat her this way, Lucius spoke first.

“Miss Adelheid.”

Just hearing her name caused her shoulders to flinch involuntarily. His voice, which had always sounded so sweet, now carried a cold, dry tone.

“First, I need to tell you something. I’m willing to grant you anything you desire. You’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits our family has to offer, except for one—the position of Duchess.”

Then, his dark, emotionless eyes met hers.

“But there’s one condition you must always keep in mind. You are never to touch the people who are important to me.”

His people.

Adelheid recalled Florian Robert’s words to her. He had told her that Lucius Carlisle valued his people more than anyone, and that she should do the same.

But apparently, Adelheid Kirchner wasn’t included among his people.

“…I don’t understand what you mean.”

Feeling wronged, Adelheid decided to be defiant.

“What did I do wrong? I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

Lucius remained silent, simply gazing at her with his cold eyes.