Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 6

When Brianna was ten, her father, who had gone out to hunt monsters as usual, returned as a frozen corpse one winter day.

People told Brianna she was lucky just to recover his body. Many victims were torn apart by monsters, leaving no remains, or even if their bodies were intact, it was rare for mercenaries to be brought back. This was possible only because her father had forged deep bonds with the knights at Harzen Castle over the years.

The person who took in orphaned Brianna was the Dowager Countess.

Placing a firm hand on Brianna’s shoulder, she said in a stern voice, “Brie, listen carefully. You are alone now. This world is not kind to a young girl without parents. You must be strong from now on.”

Brianna stopped crying and looked up at the Dowager Countess with tear-streaked eyes. The Dowager Countess then gently wiped her tears and smiled kindly.

“I will take care of you until you become strong enough to survive on your own.”

The Dowager Countess kept her promise thoroughly. She kept Brianna close and taught her many things. As a result, Brianna gained a broader education than most noblewomen and learned how to handle a gun. It was the fastest way for someone weak to neutralize a stronger threat.

“Dowager Countess Linares has bestowed countless kindnesses upon me. I am truly grateful,” Brianna said.

On her eighteenth birthday, the Dowager Countess gave Brianna a handgun. The Dowager Countess had mentioned that she might not live to see Brianna’s next birthday, which made the gift even more poignant.

“But if the day comes when you have to hold a gun again, you must do so with the resolve to kill your opponent.”

Just as Brianna started to feel melancholic, Lucius’s sudden comment made her look up at him. His face had become more stern as he gave her advice.

“A gun you do not fire is more dangerous than not having one. You were so reckless before, jumping in front of that carriage, chasing a thief—all of it was foolish.”

She understood what he meant. If luck had not been on her side, she could have been run over by the carriage, or if it had been the thief who took the gun instead of Lucius, she would have been in even greater danger.

Though she understood, his sharp reprimand cut deeply, and she instinctively shrank her shoulders.

“Yes…” Brianna turned her head to the window, longing to see Florian. If Florian were here, he would have first asked if she was okay and comforted her warmly.

With the conversation abruptly ending, silence filled the carriage. Over time, the presence of the silent man seemed to grow larger and more oppressive. Just being in the same space with him felt suffocating.

But soon, I will see Florian… Brianna thought, hoping for the carriage to reach the academy quickly.

When the carriage finally arrived, she was stunned by the view outside the window. A vast, seemingly endless garden stretched out, leading to a beautiful, palace-like complex of buildings. It didn’t look like any school she had ever imagined.

Gathering her courage, Brianna spoke hesitantly. “This doesn’t look like a school…”

“This is the Carlisle estate,” Lucius replied.

Brianna clutched the window frame and stared at him in confusion. Unable to find the words to ask why they weren’t at the academy, she could only gape at him. He raised an eyebrow as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“I can’t just leave an injured person unattended. You need proper treatment before I take you to Florian,” he explained.

***

The once quiet Carlisle estate suddenly bustled with activity as the second son, Lucius Carlisle, returned with a young woman.

Lucius, who had never shown any interest in women before, had brought a stranger into the mansion. At balls, he only danced with women out of obligation, never initiating a request himself. And now, he had brought an unfamiliar woman to the estate.

The servants, though surprised, maintained their composure, exchanging curious glances and silent conversations.

‘What’s going on? The young master brought a woman home?’

‘I’ve never seen her before. She’s dressed plainly. Could she be a lady?’

‘Maybe she’s from a poor noble family!’

‘Quick, inform the madam! The young master has returned with a lady!’

By the time Lucius and Brianna reached the front entrance, the Dowager Duchess had already descended the stairs.

With her silver hair elegantly styled, the Dowager Duchess regarded them with curious blue eyes. She called out in a clear voice, “Is this my future daughter-in-law you’ve brought home?”

“No, Mother,” Lucius replied firmly, showing no surprise, unlike Brianna, who was nearly fainting.

He immediately turned to a maid and instructed, “Take her to see the doctor and have her treated.”

“Yes, young master,” the maid responded, smiling at Brianna. “Come with me, miss.”

“I, uh, I mean…” Brianna stammered, wanting to explain that she hadn’t properly greeted the Dowager Duchess and that she wasn’t of noble status. However, the maid gently guided her away before she could say more.

The Dowager Duchess finished descending the stairs and approached her son. “Where is she hurt?”

“There was an incident on the way. It doesn’t seem serious, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Hmm, I’d like to hear more about this incident and who that girl is. Son?”

As the Dowager Duchess extended her arm, Lucius took her hand with a slight smile. Linking arms with her, he responded affectionately, “Of course, Mother. I’ll explain everything now.”

***

When Brianna boarded the train leaving Harzen, she never imagined she would be treated by the personal doctor of the Carlisle family. She expected, at most, some ointment for her wounds.

“Fortunately, there seems to be no damage to the bones or muscles. With proper care, you should be fine,” the doctor said after thoroughly examining her injuries. He disinfected and bandaged her knee and treated the minor scrapes on her elbow and palm.

“Thank you,” Brianna replied, clutching the handkerchief that had been wrapped around her knee, trying to keep it out of sight. She didn’t want to invite any misunderstandings.

“Oh dear, there’s a stain on your skirt,” a maid exclaimed, noticing the bloodstain. She examined Brianna’s skirt and then suggested kindly, “If you give me your dress, I can have it washed immediately. Or perhaps you’d like to take a bath?”

“No, it’s really fine. I don’t need to trouble you,” Brianna insisted, adding softly, “I’m not someone who deserves such attention.”

Dowager Countess Linares had always provided Brianna with the best—fine clothes, good leather shoes, and excellent books. Sometimes, people were confused about her status. When they eventually learned the truth, their looks of disappointment and disdain were hard to bear.

Revealing her true status had become a habit for Brianna, though she had missed the chance to do so in front of the Dowager Duchess. The Carlisle household staff would surely be displeased when they discovered her lowly status. The maid in the Carlisle estate held a prestigious position, incomparable to a servant from the remote Harzen estate.

To her surprise, the maid’s voice remained kind. “Then let me at least clean the stain for you. Is that alright?”

The maid who had brought Brianna there smiled warmly. “And your dress is slightly torn. I can mend it for you. I have the best sewing skills in the Carlisle household, so you can trust me with it.”